Wiper blade question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 609
From: Minneapolis Mn
Wiper blade question
This is one of the dumbest questions, but nothing seems to be going right on it. What brand/model 20" wiper blade will 'fit' properly a 86 with the 'pin' wiper arms? This is where the arm has a pin with a groove in it that a wiper blade with a hole in it snaps onto.
So far I've bought based on the manual/guides in 3 different auto parts stores have bought Trico, Anco and Rainx. Every single one has a hole and will fit over that pin but not one of them has any mechanism to keep the blade on the arm.
I have no idea what's on the car, but those have some type of spring mechanism in them that when you want to remove them, you slip a screwdriver between the arm and the blade.
I'm tired of buying blades that don't work, who knows of one that does?
If I have to, I'll see if I can find replacement arms with the j-hook ends, but I'd rather find the right blades.
Appreciate any info.
So far I've bought based on the manual/guides in 3 different auto parts stores have bought Trico, Anco and Rainx. Every single one has a hole and will fit over that pin but not one of them has any mechanism to keep the blade on the arm.
I have no idea what's on the car, but those have some type of spring mechanism in them that when you want to remove them, you slip a screwdriver between the arm and the blade.
I'm tired of buying blades that don't work, who knows of one that does?
If I have to, I'll see if I can find replacement arms with the j-hook ends, but I'd rather find the right blades.
Appreciate any info.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
You can buy just the rubber part. Solves the problem.
I know GM used to sell these, but I don't know if that's still true.
I've got these guys on my car right now:
http://www.thewiperstore.com
I know GM used to sell these, but I don't know if that's still true.
I've got these guys on my car right now:
http://www.thewiperstore.com
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,406
Likes: 2,744
You can buy just the rubber part. Solves the problem.
I know GM used to sell these, but I don't know if that's still true.
I've got these guys on my car right now:
http://www.thewiperstore.com
I know GM used to sell these, but I don't know if that's still true.
I've got these guys on my car right now:
http://www.thewiperstore.com
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Inserts generally only work if the blade on the car is still OE or has been replaced with OE or an equivalent at some point. Most after-market will NOT except inserts and allow them to "latch" correctly. 29+ year old car and original blades? I wouldn't have and didn't suggest inserts to someone that was already struggling.
My 1995 has the OE wipers. I did install inserts last year, the original rubber was hard and in rain you couldn't see a thing. Mine is a 10,000 mile car with original everything, except battery. NCRS people will love it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 609
From: Minneapolis Mn
Wipers
I don't remember the model and the box is gone so can't speak to which RainX I bought.
Trico ExactFit 20-1 was one that was listed as fitting an 86, they don't. Might be able to fit those onto the TBird
Another was Anco 30-20-OE. Again they have the right hole but no way to lock them onto the arm. It's also too tall to fit under the back edge of the hood.
All of them fit onto the arm but there's no way to lock them onto the arm.
Talk about a pain in the rear.
Trico ExactFit 20-1 was one that was listed as fitting an 86, they don't. Might be able to fit those onto the TBird
Another was Anco 30-20-OE. Again they have the right hole but no way to lock them onto the arm. It's also too tall to fit under the back edge of the hood.
All of them fit onto the arm but there's no way to lock them onto the arm.
Talk about a pain in the rear.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
I use the Bosch ones on both my C4s. The other brands don't seem to work all that well. They snap on the post and come off the same way....using a screwdriver to wedge in and pop it loose. I haven't had any problems with them coming off as long as they're snapped on like they're supposed to be.
There are two sizes of the peg type......I wonder if the little mechanism is switched to the wrong size and not snapping in secure. I also wonder if some of the brands only have one size hole that's too big.
There are two sizes of the peg type......I wonder if the little mechanism is switched to the wrong size and not snapping in secure. I also wonder if some of the brands only have one size hole that's too big.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 609
From: Minneapolis Mn
Misc
I spent some time last night looking at the original wipers that were on the car and the replacements I bought. The new ones have the right size holes in them but they lack the spring that's on the originals that 'lock' the wiper blade to the arm. What do they think you'll do to keep them on the wiper arms: wire them on?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have the Trico 20-1 blades on my '87 and they work fine even clearing the hood when the go to the "park" position.
If the spring is not there, take the blades back. It does take some effort to get the pin on the wiper arm to latch onto the blade assembly. The springs will be on the inside of the housing where the hole for the pis is located..
If the spring is not there, take the blades back. It does take some effort to get the pin on the wiper arm to latch onto the blade assembly. The springs will be on the inside of the housing where the hole for the pis is located..