Winshield wiper collisions
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Winshield wiper collisions
I did the CF Search, read all the articles and noted the consensus solution - replace the arm and blade assemblies with those for the 1996 C4. The only problem is, I HAVE a 1996 C4. From reading the posts, I'm left with the impression that all the possible solutions discussed (re-adjust wiper adjuster arms off , set splines off by x, etc) are temporary ones that can be permanently remedied by replacing originals with the 1996. Is there anything else that can be done or should I try the above, myself? Also, I've got a really bad case of wiper blade hop and they squeak like crazy. The blades are supposedly about a month old (dealer's paperwork shows they had been replaced) and I cleaned the windshield with a dish soap solution (another suggestion in case any wax was on the glass) but they still really drag on the windshield. In fact, I'm wondering if that's why the wipers are colliding in the first place - because the blades are sticking to the glass. Any thoughts? Thanks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
Wipe the glass off with acitone, careful not to touch anything but glass. That will get rid of ANYTHING.
After that, it's alignment/measurments......
After that, it's alignment/measurments......
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (Ski2Tee)
I've got no problem with a simple solution like a shorter blade (in fact, I'd prefer it) but how do you know which shorter blade to buy?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
A tip from Gordon Killebrew: Flip the wiper blades over every 30 days and they will not develop a "set". :)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
I had the same problem with mine. Just get new blades. I went with a different blade design. I did this eight months ago and have had no problems since. I think that some designs grab the glass to much (i.e. too much rubber surface contact). This causes too much friction and you get the jumpy wipers and that really loud slap every now and then, man I hate that.
Nick :D
[Modified by speedracer1996, 10:16 PM 8/5/2003]
Nick :D
[Modified by speedracer1996, 10:16 PM 8/5/2003]
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (speedracer1996)
speedracer1996 wrote:
"Just get new blades. I went with a different blade design. I did this eight months ago and have had no problems since."
Do you remember the brand of the blade?
"Just get new blades. I went with a different blade design. I did this eight months ago and have had no problems since."
Do you remember the brand of the blade?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
I do believe the driver side has the "inside" wipe position. Meaning, when the wipers are going up the windshield, the driver side trails. Coming down the windshield, driver side leads. So go shorter on the driver side. Of course if the passenger side is actually the inside wipe position as described, then go with a shorter passenger. I'm pretty sure though that the tip of the driver side blade hits the center of the passenger blade about halfway down the windshield.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
I don't remember what brand, but I do remember that it was late (and raining) and the only thing open was Walmart. I suppose they can't carry too many brands, I'd check 'em out.
Nick :thumbs:
Nick :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (speedracer1996)
speedracer1996 wrote:
"I don't remember what brand, but I do remember that it was late (and raining) and the only thing open was Walmart"
Jeez, Walmart had wiper blades for a Corvette? Is that incredible or are wiper blades interchangable among many popular models of cars?
"I don't remember what brand, but I do remember that it was late (and raining) and the only thing open was Walmart"
Jeez, Walmart had wiper blades for a Corvette? Is that incredible or are wiper blades interchangable among many popular models of cars?
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (speedracer1996)
Thanks! Can I assume that if Walmart has them, a Pep Boys or an equivelant auto parts store would as well?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
Yep, they would probably have a better selection. I like Pep Boys, but every time I go there I buy a bunch of junk I never use. It's like a kid in a candy store. :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (speedracer1996)
speedracer1996 wrote:
"I like Pep Boys, but every time I go there I buy a bunch of junk I never use. It's like a kid in a candy store."
I know EXACTLY what you mean...
"I like Pep Boys, but every time I go there I buy a bunch of junk I never use. It's like a kid in a candy store."
I know EXACTLY what you mean...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
I believe he's referring to the rubber insert, not the replacement blade assembly. That's what I did with mine. Went with a 18" on the drivers side.
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
UPDATE: I intended to order the factory replacements from Superior (local Chevy dealer wanted $29 each) but while at the Pep Boys this evening to pick up windshield wiper fluid, just to satisfy my curiosity, I asked the parts guy if they had replacement blades for a 96 Vette in stock. Not only did they have them, the parts guy went out to my car, determined that the ones on my car were new but defective, replaced them with new ones and because they were the same brand that Pep Boys carries, said he'd return them to the manufacturer and didn't charge me a cent! Hit a thunderstorm on the way home and no squeaks, no hops and no collisions. Thanks to all for the advice and help...
[Modified by tobijohn, 3:13 PM 8/7/2003]
[Modified by tobijohn, 3:13 PM 8/7/2003]
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 363
Likes: 11
From: St. Catharines Ontario CANADA
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (tobijohn)
I did the famous "one-inch-shorter-drivers-side-wiper" solution and it lasted two years. Now I am using the 96 conversion and they work perfectly....so far.
Best price I have found for these parts (arms and blades) is the last detail.
http://www.tld-corvette.com
Best price I have found for these parts (arms and blades) is the last detail.
http://www.tld-corvette.com
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (redvette1986)
TLD sells arms for 95-96 Vettes. I have a 95 - put in some ANCOs - and voila - WIPER COLLISONS! They jump and chatter and then BAM!!! So, I assume getting 96 arms wont fix my problem. :confused:
Thread Starter
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Re: Winshield wiper collisions (aggie88)
aggie88 wrote:
"So, I assume getting 96 arms wont fix my problem."
I'm no expert but someone, somewhere mentioned that Chevy changed the wiper arm design somewhere in the 95 production run so you might already have them. If you haven't checked it out already, There's a picture of the two types side by side in a Tech Tip (https://www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=42&TopicID=2 ). I just looked and I couldn't see any name on the new blades but I believe the parts guy said they were ANCo as were the ones that went bad. New ones fixed my problem...
"So, I assume getting 96 arms wont fix my problem."
I'm no expert but someone, somewhere mentioned that Chevy changed the wiper arm design somewhere in the 95 production run so you might already have them. If you haven't checked it out already, There's a picture of the two types side by side in a Tech Tip (https://www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=42&TopicID=2 ). I just looked and I couldn't see any name on the new blades but I believe the parts guy said they were ANCo as were the ones that went bad. New ones fixed my problem...