Wipers binding...fix?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Wipers binding...fix?
Just got back from Bowling Green for the Museum anniversary. Small show this year, but still a good time. It rained and rained on the trip to and from. For the first time ever, my wipers started binding as they "interlaced" (C4) to a point where I just turned them off and toughed it out!! I replaced the wipers earlier this year in the name of preventive maint. They worked fine upon install sitting in the driveway, but at speed... Bought NAPA exact fit. Haven't used them till now, cause I don't usually drive in the rain. The wipers are 20 inches long, is the fix simply installing shorter ones...18s?? Opinions?? :steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,019
Likes: 56
From: North Dallas, TX
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
same thing happen to mine, but I don't usually drive in rain, so it doesn't bother me too much, but next time I will probably replace them with smaller wipers.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (Sun King)
You'll want to order a 96 psgr. arm from gmpartsdirect.com. It happens, wiper :boxing
replace both arms... the 96's use a different wiper blades, and you will find yourself buying 2 different sets of wiper blades.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
Thanks for the advise. I think I'll start with buying a shorter blade for the driver's side. I think that should do the trick. BTW, drove through standing water on the interstate in Louisville. The Firehawks handled the water just great. Car never got squirrelly. :steering:
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
Actually if you switch both the arms and the blades to the 96 model type, your problems will be cured.
GM resolved the problem by shortening the blade length plus the part that does extend beyond the arm is only rubber on the 96 blade. The passenger arm was modified to change its angle.
You can't mix and match them as the spindle on the 96 is thicker then the previous models. So to ensure proper fit and function it really requires both parts.
Both upgrades are not that expensive. And you should consider getting it fixed soon since the passenger side has been known to to hop off the windshield during a collisions and ends up damaging the hood.
Roughly they are about 17 for the blades and 15 for the arms. Check GMPartsDirect or Superior Performance Parts.
:seeya
[Modified by 93JetJocky, 12:39 PM 9/2/2003]
GM resolved the problem by shortening the blade length plus the part that does extend beyond the arm is only rubber on the 96 blade. The passenger arm was modified to change its angle.
You can't mix and match them as the spindle on the 96 is thicker then the previous models. So to ensure proper fit and function it really requires both parts.
Both upgrades are not that expensive. And you should consider getting it fixed soon since the passenger side has been known to to hop off the windshield during a collisions and ends up damaging the hood.
Roughly they are about 17 for the blades and 15 for the arms. Check GMPartsDirect or Superior Performance Parts.
:seeya
[Modified by 93JetJocky, 12:39 PM 9/2/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,203
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (93JetJocky)
How do you figure if this was a problem on the early C4 it took until 1996 to figure out something was wrong.
These are beautiful cars and a joy to drive but the engineers were high on something. The Corvette engineering team was worse than NASA. :rant:
These are beautiful cars and a joy to drive but the engineers were high on something. The Corvette engineering team was worse than NASA. :rant:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (Southern Comfort)
In some instances couldn't argue with you there... I think the engineers should be required to install at least 10 sets of plugs and wires before sealing the design. That'll teach em or any maintenance like changing the fuel filter. :rofl: All I know about the wiper issue is that for the early 90s there was an issue with them. The change they made didn't occur until 96. Using the 96 system fixes the problem. There's an article about it somewhere on the forum I think.
I guess that falls into the category of if the opti wasn't vented in 93 (or earlier?) and they knew the problem existed, why did it take two more model years to fix it by adding a vent? How much resource did that one take? Why was there a small change in the linkage design of the headlamp motors for later year models?
It's probably like the economy, a huge ship that doesn't change directions well.
:confused:
I guess that falls into the category of if the opti wasn't vented in 93 (or earlier?) and they knew the problem existed, why did it take two more model years to fix it by adding a vent? How much resource did that one take? Why was there a small change in the linkage design of the headlamp motors for later year models?
It's probably like the economy, a huge ship that doesn't change directions well.
:confused:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (93JetJocky)
Maybe none of you have noticed my sig, but I have a 96CE! So I already have the 96 system that supposedly fixed the problem. Should I try another supplier for my wiper blades? :steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
The wipers are actually very easy to adjust. I adjusted mine in about 15minutes. If you would like a copy of the article on how to do it email me and I will send it out.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
No I didn't notice that... well all I can add is that there was another forum member with a 96' similar situation. After emailing detailed pictures and measurements he finally determined the blades weren't the 96 model. Looked close but not exact. He tried a couple different brands still same problem, finally specifically got the 96 model blades and it solved his problem well as far as I know anyway. It solved my wiper problem too. So all things are possible I guess. Are these the original blades or have they been replaced a few times? What build date was the vehicle, is it possible that it was one of the first few that might have gotten a 95 component? I'm drawing for straws here so stop laughing. Just kidding.
Best of luck with this, I wasn't aware they were adjustable. I'll have to re-read some more. :cheers:
Best of luck with this, I wasn't aware they were adjustable. I'll have to re-read some more. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 984
Likes: 154
From: Columbia MD
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
Vettfvr, take a look at this page:
http://wes.stealing-fire.com/html/wiper_arms.htm
Check to see that your car actually has the correct wiper arms and blades installed. It wouldn't surprise me if they were replaced somewhere along the line by somebody that figured all C4 arms and blades are the same.
http://wes.stealing-fire.com/html/wiper_arms.htm
Check to see that your car actually has the correct wiper arms and blades installed. It wouldn't surprise me if they were replaced somewhere along the line by somebody that figured all C4 arms and blades are the same.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (LWesthaver)
LWesthaver:
Thanks, I found this article on the Forum earlier tonight. I have looked at the arms and they are correct. I am going to order the GM blades. The ones that I got from NAPA have metal that goes all the way to the tip. The metal on the GM blades stop short of the end. Hopefully, that will be the answer. :steering:
Thanks, I found this article on the Forum earlier tonight. I have looked at the arms and they are correct. I am going to order the GM blades. The ones that I got from NAPA have metal that goes all the way to the tip. The metal on the GM blades stop short of the end. Hopefully, that will be the answer. :steering:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vinnies87)
Well I got the GM wiper blades today. They measure 19.5 inches long. The NAPA exact fits measure 20.25 inches long. The NAPA blades (and others like them) have a metal shroud that covers the blade the entire length. The GM blade has a shroud, but it stops short of the tip by about .5 inches. This should be the answer to the problem. I probably won't be driving in pouring rain like I did last weekend for some time, so I won't be able to give a final performance report. Thanks, everyone, for all of the advise. :steering:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 984
Likes: 154
From: Columbia MD
Re: Wipers binding...fix? (vettfvr)
Well I got the GM wiper blades today. They measure 19.5 inches long. The NAPA exact fits measure 20.25 inches long. The NAPA blades (and others like them) have a metal shroud that covers the blade the entire length. The GM blade has a shroud, but it stops short of the tip by about .5 inches.
I'm pretty certain that your problem will be fixed using the factory units. The devil's in the details....
Good luck!
