POS windshield wipers

ds475 · 10-30-2003, 09:03 AM

I want to put some more sturdy windshield wipers on my car, the ones i have now, i don't know if just because of time/use, but they don't seem "solid" if you know what i mean. i'm sure you all know what i'm talking about... if you look at the way the windshield wipers on a newer chevy truck (my dad's) the windshield wipers seem very rigid. mine, seem like they are loose at all joints... hard to explain exactly what i mean, but i think they're just worn out. are windshield wipers somewhat universal? or do i need to find some porsche windshield wipers?
(not just the blades, but also the arm that connects to the car)

97XRAY · 97XRAY's Garage

I think it's really up to you. However, original equipment on my early model: driver side has a wind "plate" (not sure how to describe it) so that at high speeds the wiper is actually forced into the glass. Now that I think of it, this is on the arm itself, so no problem changing out wiper blades themselves.
Get good ones that you know will fit. That's about all I can add.

ds475 · 10-30-2003, 02:50 PM

i just want windshield wipers, that don't feel/seem worn out, i only notice their "looseness" when they change directions at the farthest point in their "rotation". you can easily tell they have had their days... i think i might just put some washers or something on their to stiffen 'em up... might work... i'll have to try a few things

ronin · 10-30-2003, 03:30 PM

weirdest thing. a friend of mine brought me a set of Bosch blades from Spain a few years back and wouldn't you know it, they worked better than any other that I have ever used. I was thinking about calling him back up and ordering him to go to back to Spain just to get me another set! I don't know if they use a different rubber compound, process, etc. but I just know that they really worked well.

spring tension on the arms can also be a factor. you can check by looking up the manufacturer recommended srping tension and checking it with a fish scale. hook the scale on the wiper arm where it connects to the blade and pull until the blade lifts from the glass. the force necessary to lift the blade should be equal to or more than the manuf. spec

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

New arms and new Bosch blades.

Arms could just be loose. Check the nuts under the round plastic covers. Replace the baldes with Bosch units.

ronin · 10-30-2003, 03:51 PM

yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, brevity, soul of wit and all that crap

FLA944 · 10-30-2003, 03:54 PM

measure the diameter of the spring wire, the length of the spring, and dimensional width of the spring, then match it up @ ACE Hardware. New springs will hold them to the glass better.

I use the cheapest blades for my cars due to florida will beat up an expensive blade just as quickly as a cheap one.

ds475 · 10-30-2003, 04:26 PM

they're tight at the bolts, they're just loose everywhere else

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

A good blade, the complete unit, may work as long as there is good spring presssure. You may be able to take the spring off and bend the long extension a bit shorter.

Moneyguy1 · 10-30-2003, 10:19 PM

I know of what he speaks. The entire assembly seems to become quite wonky over time. Out here in AZ, I don't use the wipers like I did in upstate NY, so it doesn't present a problem. I think the linkage just gets sloppy over time. I have had other "older" cars and never seen this happen to the same degree.

Nabeel · 10-30-2003, 11:30 PM

So our wipers were actually 'tight' when new? I figured all of these 924/944 cars had somewhat loose wipers. Not 'rigid' like most newer cars. The entire arm assembly seems very delicate abd brittle, not like the beefier units on newer cars. Maybe 97XRAY is right and this design shows its advantage at higher speeds. I don't know, since I never really payed much attention to this issue.

ronin · 10-30-2003, 11:37 PM

they should be snug. my car is already 16 years old and the arms and blades are still rather tight. new springs (or even arms for that matter) should make a world of difference for you

Moneyguy1 · 11-01-2003, 04:14 PM

Porsche does a very nice job designing and building most suspension and drivetrain systems. However, many of the ancellary parts/assemblies are farmed out. At least we know the former Yugo plant has some work coming in...

(Power window motors, rear wiper assemblies,washer motors ($1.49), switches, wire looms, door handles, radiators/water pumps..the timing belt system for the '44 was designed in Elbonia, the country that Dilbert's company subcontracts with..Don't know where the rear hatch was hatched......)

I adapted a GM style wiper motor. Took some bracket fabrication, but it works well