Windscreen Wipers

[gammav]

Took my "new" Griff over to The Polishing Company the other day, (who did a fantastic job btw, highly recommended)... anywho I got caught in a shower on the way there and was alarmed at how poor the wipers were. I'd been warned that Griff wipers aren't great, but mine don't actually touch the screen in the centre of the blade on the drivers side so visibility was zero!

Fortunately he's just up the road so was in it for just a few minutes on local roads, but wouldn't like to have been caught out on a motorway with some distance to travel!!

Having searched the threads and read up on Leven wiper/washer upgrade (apparently no longer available?) and the very similar wipex product, with mixed verdicts for both ie an improvement over standard wipers but still not great?

Has any body tried new style aero/flat profile wipers??(there's a few versions on eBay) the only mention I could find was on a local thread which said to avoid.

(PS. it was dry on the way home the next day so my newly polished, scratch/swirl free P&J stayed that way )

[Mr MoJo]

I wasn't aware the Leven wash wipe system wasn't available any more. I fitted it at the beginning of this year and would recommend it to any Griff owner. I'd call Leven if I were you and have a chat

[macar]

I trid to get some Leven wipers in March, was told that they were waiting new stock. Now just apply lots of Rain-x and put the foot down- just like having a TR again.

[Colin RedGriff]

gammav said:

Has any body tried new style aero/flat profile wipers??(there's a few versions on eBay) the only mention I could find was on a local thread which said to avoid.

Yes I tried a set off ebay and they were awful. I swapped back to the ones I had on there before, which are also of ebay but are the more traditional type. I had hoped that the profile would curve round the screen but it just didn't and it also lifted in the centre too.

[Mr MoJo]

The Leven system is really the only way to go, but as they are a small demand item, like most of their products, they'll probably need to confirm numbers before producing more. I had to wait a few months before getting the call from Jules telling me my oil filler cap was available, still waiting for the window switches to be manufactured again. Worth the wait though. They really are quality products.

[737 FLF]

I got a set of these last autumn. They have been absolutely superb and the washer fluid goes where it's supposed to, on the screen not up in the air.

http://www.wipers4cars.co.uk

[BliarOut]

737 FLF said:

I got a set of these last autumn. They have been absolutely superb and the washer fluid goes where it's supposed to, on the screen not up in the air.

http://www.wipers4cars.co.uk

Are they the ones with the integrated washers that gets rid of the bendy pipe?

[737 FLF]

BliarOut said:

737 FLF said:

I got a set of these last autumn. They have been absolutely superb and the washer fluid goes where it's supposed to, on the screen not up in the air.

http://www.wipers4cars.co.uk

Are they the ones with the integrated washers that gets rid of the bendy pipe?

Yes.

[Rob_the_Sparky]

737 FLF said:

BliarOut said:

737 FLF said:

I got a set of these last autumn. They have been absolutely superb and the washer fluid goes where it's supposed to, on the screen not up in the air.

http://www.wipers4cars.co.uk

Are they the ones with the integrated washers that gets rid of the bendy pipe?

Yes.

Does the integrated washers connect on to the existing connection on the bodywork or does it need new pipe work?

[Dr Wolff]

Mr MoJo said:

The Leven system is really the only way to go, but as they are a small demand item, like most of their products, they'll probably need to confirm numbers before producing more. I had to wait a few months before getting the call from Jules telling me my oil filler cap was available, still waiting for the window switches to be manufactured again. Worth the wait though. They really are quality products.

I've spoken to Leven - it isn't a question of demand, they just can't get them any more. They are looking for companies to develop an alternative

[737 FLF]

Rob_the_Sparky said:

737 FLF said:

BliarOut said:

737 FLF said:

I got a set of these last autumn. They have been absolutely superb and the washer fluid goes where it's supposed to, on the screen not up in the air.

http://www.wipers4cars.co.uk

Are they the ones with the integrated washers that gets rid of the bendy pipe?

Yes.

Does the integrated washers connect on to the existing connection on the bodywork or does it need new pipe work?

The pipes run along the wiper arms and connect to where the existing rubber pipes are.

[Dr Wolff]

TJS10 said:

For the Leven or Wipex replacements you will need to replace the washer hose which runs inside the body of the wiper arm. The hose is supplied in both kits.

The Leven wipers are very poor. Both of mine have broken within months of use. The Wipex units are slimer and have 5 outlets for the water giving a very precise coverage. The Leven units only have 3 outlets.

See below. The wider (broken) Leven blade / washer head is at the bottom of he picture.

Interesting, because I have a set of the Wipex ones on order having just broken the Leven ones exactly as per your picture (easily fixed, but they were due replacement)! Mind you, I ordered them a week ago & they ain't arrived yet...

[ruaricoles]

One of my Leven jet thingies fell off too.... (!) But it was fixed in a few seconds with some superglue and has been fine since (this was a few years ago). So nothing really to worry about, and they're a million times better than the original TVR arrangement. But if they're not available any more then those Wipex ones look a decent alternative.

Is there any way to make the passenger side one fit around the curve of the screen better?

Ruari

[Mr MoJo]

Fairs fair, you speak as you find. My Leven ones have proved very good so far though and the blades make good contact with screen all over.

[Mr MoJo]

Fairs fair, you speak as you find. My Leven ones have proved very good so far though and the blades make good contact with screen all over.

[macar]

Mr Mojo, is that a stutter developing?

[Mr MoJo]

No just technical problems posting from a phone !!

[gammav]

Just to update...I decided to try a pair of 16" low profile wipers...£10 from flea bay, not the cheapest on there but closest in profile to the ones on my DD (VW), which I know work well.

They were easy to fit to the Griff and they clear water from the screen far better than the traditional blades.

However due to the low profile blade and a relatively bulky arm mount on this particular set, the passenger side plastic mount makes contact with the screen due to the angle of the wiper at the start of the sweep and then again on the other side on the start return sweep, Doh.

I'll have to look out for some with a slimmer mounting arrangement.

The other issue was the original washer tubes, which were just a dribble on the drivers side while the passenger side was producing an ark over the roof, bonnet, (pedestrians at crossings )... basically anywhere but the screen.

Sourced some arm mounted washer jets http://www.polevolt.co.uk/acatalog/info_593_55.htm...

They look a bit agricultural but work very well and will do until I find something better.

Dave.

[Dr Wolff]

Re; WIPEX

Anyone know if they are still in business? I ordered on the 19th of July & payment has appeared on my credit card statement, but I received no acknowledgement and 3 weeks later no wipers have arrived. They aren't answering their phones either...

[BliarOut]

I ordered on the same day and they've been on the car for a couple of weeks!