24" wiper blade?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton AB
24" wiper blade?
I switched my wiper blades for my '07 C6 the other day and I thought I picked two 21" blades but after I installed them I realized that I had picked up a 24" blade by accident. The 24" blade is on the driver's side and it stays in contact with the windshield at all times when in use, the blade seems to fit well when not in use, it doesn't hit the other side's wiper arm and predictably it cleans a larger section of the windshield.
It seems to be working fine, I'm just wondering if there's some sort of problem I am overlooking? If there is no problem with the larger blade fitting, I'm wondering why GM only recommends 21" blade when at least on the driver's side the larger blades seems to fit well and do a better job?
It seems to be working fine, I'm just wondering if there's some sort of problem I am overlooking? If there is no problem with the larger blade fitting, I'm wondering why GM only recommends 21" blade when at least on the driver's side the larger blades seems to fit well and do a better job?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
Likes: 1,912
From: Missouri City, TX
Interesting discovery. However, I suspect a lot of that extra blade length may be toward the bottom of the windshield. In other words, the new blade may have its extra length directed below the Shepherd's hook connection to the wiper arm. Only speculating here. Hard to imagine that 3" of extra sweep area aimed toward the top of the windshield would avoid running off the top of the glass. Keep in mind that a lot of the upper and lower glass of the windshield can't be seen through from inside the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
I have installed larger blades on other vehicles in the past and currently my truck has 24" instead of the original 21". The connection is always in the center of the blade so your talking 1.5" of extra length top and bottom between a 21" and a 24". I have never seen any negative impact on motor or anything as long as they don't hit anything.
Now - truth be known - GM probably used 21" to save an extra $1.00 per car at their price if that.
I will be doing the same thing when I need to replace mine on the vette. Go with as big as will fit and not hit anything.
Now - truth be known - GM probably used 21" to save an extra $1.00 per car at their price if that.
I will be doing the same thing when I need to replace mine on the vette. Go with as big as will fit and not hit anything.
Last edited by thomastl; Jan 6, 2011 at 09:48 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
I have also used longer blades if they fit with no interference and never had a problem. Not on my Vette because I haven't replaced them yet. As mentioned, the extra length is split evenly on top and bottom.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Here in Austin, I don't need wiper blades.
I replaced mine this year after they failed the annual inspection. They were 5 years old and had split.
I replaced mine this year after they failed the annual inspection. They were 5 years old and had split.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 2
From: The Villages FL
Per Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards FMVSS, there are prescribed zones on the windshield surface that must be wiped by the blades. These zones are a function of the driver's seating position. What ever minimum blade size is determined to meet FMVSS is what gets put on the car. Putting a longer blade on will not necessarily improve visibility.
A 24" blade will fit on the driver side but the extra 1 1/2" of tip length will hit the cowl molding in the park position for the passenger blade on my car.
A 24" blade will fit on the driver side but the extra 1 1/2" of tip length will hit the cowl molding in the park position for the passenger blade on my car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The blade inserts are identical but have two different part numbers.
Probably because there are different numbers for the complete assembly, due to the little wingy thingy on the drivers side that Joe mentioned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
As a result, it's been over four years since I've had the OEM blades on my C6. They're still out in the garage somewhere.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I get the genuine GM blades, which are excellent quality, from one of the CF dealers. Fichtner Chevrolet, in my case. Price isn't bad and shipping is negligible if purchased in an order with other parts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 877
Likes: 142
From: Little Egypt, USA
All the walk-in auto parts places around here quit carrying refills years ago. All they carry are complete blade assemblies for five times the price. It's a terrible waste.
As a result, it's been over four years since I've had the OEM blades on my C6. They're still out in the garage somewhere.
As a result, it's been over four years since I've had the OEM blades on my C6. They're still out in the garage somewhere.
Made in USA Trico Refill with SS spine. As good as the original.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 10
From: Columbus OH
I always use larger/longer blades on all my vehicles. Very few come with "properly sized" blades; my CTS-V is one them, can't put a longer blade on any side. Trucks are usually notorious for having undersized blades. My Silverado now has two 24" blades; the pass-side outer end hangs off the windshield (can't follow the contour) when at rest, but its whole length wipes just fine when in operation.
