Wiper Blades on 964

[brackenwhite]

I am struggling to replace the wipers on my ’90 C2 — I don’t think I’m going crazy (but then you never do). I just swapped out wiper blades on six other cars so I assumed — incorrectly — that the simplest car would be the easiest.

* The problem: the old blade is a real struggle to get off the arm. Pushing the tab down does nothing, almost as if the blade is jammed on.
* The bigger problem: the new blade almost seems too large to fit on to the wiper arm. I haven’t been able to jam it on. Not that I tried hard — seems like a bad idea.

Btw, I am using 13” Bosch Direct Connect

Is it possible that the J-hook profile on these older cars is larger than modern j-hook blades? The last time I had my mechanic replace the blades but I thought it seemed like a waste of time & money.

[Marine Blue]

Line up the blade with the arm and then push the tab in and slide it back. Before you go further I’d place a towel on the windshield to prevent breaking the glass in case the wiper springs back towards the glass.

Once the blade is removed you can compare it against the new one to determine if it will fit. If not I’d bring it back to where you bought it and look for one that has the right attachment.

[brackenwhite]

Thanks, the old blades and new blades look exactly the same and are the same spec as Porsche says to use. I'm wondering if it's possible for the metal on J-hook to corrode slightly over 32 years making it tough for the wiper to slide in.

You make a very good point about the towel on the glass, it would be just like me to crack the windshield while wrestling with a 13" wiper blade.

(I like the color scheme on your C2)

[Marine Blue]

Originally Posted by brackenwhite

Thanks, the old blades and new blades look exactly the same and are the same spec as Porsche says to use. I'm wondering if it's possible for the metal on J-hook to corrode slightly over 32 years making it tough for the wiper to slide in.

You make a very good point about the towel on the glass, it would be just like me to crack the windshield while wrestling with a 13" wiper blade.

(I like the color scheme on your C2)

Did you get the old blade off? Once removed a visual inspection would confirm if you have any type of corrosion and or buildup that would prevent the blades from moving freely into the arm. But again the positioning of the blade matters.

Before writing this I went out and attempted it myself and when the blade is perpendicular to the arm it doesn’t slide off. But the second you turn the blade to line up with the arm it slides right off.

Thanks on the color! My childhood dream was to have a metallic blue 911!

[brackenwhite]

I finally got both blades off — no corrosion but a lot of scuffed plastic (possibly from regular use).

It was a LOT of work wiggling those things off. Pressing the tab did nothing to loosen the blade (it does on my other cars). I used needle nosed pliers to assist and one of the blades didn't make it off in one piece. Putting the new ones one was a real struggle as well.

I'm beginning to wonder if this is a Bosch thing; the plastic attachment looks slightly large compared to the hook on the arm. I just replaced all the j-hook style blades on three old Mercedes and a land cruiser. It was a painless operation on those cars — I used Michelin blades on those. Surely the j-hook is a universal size?

. . . of course, if I was smart I would have bought Michelin blades and seen if they went on the C2 easier. If I remember, I'll try that next year.

Appreciate you being a sounding board here, btw. Congrats on realizing your dream!

[il Pirata]

You may be having the same problem as we are having with 993 blades. The blade itself is fine but the connector to the arm has changed, it's much larger than previously and will not fit into the hook. This is with a Porsche branded blade (which is made by Bosch ). If you have several pictures of the old connector on the blade and the new one please post or send via PM. It's been three months since the Porsche dealer sent the info off to the factory with no response.

I am meeting with Porsche Classic on this and other part issues on Oct 9.

New blade with larger connector next to wiper arm



new connector on left, old connector on right

[TorqueHead]

Originally Posted by brackenwhite

... Surely the j-hook is a universal size?

Apparently not.


J-hook – The most common type of connector, the J-hook has a J or U-shaped hook at the end. Simple to replace, the hook pushes into the wiper blade connector and clips or locks into place. The J-hook comes in different variants like the short J hook, 7mm, 9x3, 9x4, 9x3 short and reverse 9x4.

[hienz]

Wrong wiper blades for 964

[KNS]

Originally Posted by il Pirata

You may be having the same problem as we are having with 993 blades. The blade itself is fine but the connector to the arm has changed, it's much larger than previously and will not fit into the hook. This is with a Porsche branded blade (which is made by Bosch ). If you have several pictures of the old connector on the blade and the new one please post or send via PM. It's been three months since the Porsche dealer sent the info off to the factory with no response.

I am meeting with Porsche Classic on this and other part issues on Oct 9.

New blade with larger connector next to wiper arm



new connector on left, old connector on right

Any word on these blades?

I just ordered new Bosch wiper blades for my 993 here from Pelican. When they arrive I'll see if I encounter the same problem - if so I'll be returning them.

[il Pirata]

Originally Posted by KNS

Any word on these blades?

I just ordered new Bosch wiper blades for my 993 here from Pelican. When they arrive I'll see if I encounter the same problem - if so I'll be returning them.

Basically the head of Porsche Classic North America was not willing to change their process ie they use "reports" to determine if they need to escalate an issue. They also will only work on this if the part was sold by a Porsche dealer.

Can you please advise if the blade fits into the arm or not.

[KNS]

Sorry for the late reply.

The Bosch wiper blades I ordered from Pelican fit perfectly. Here if the strange part - The blades I removed from my 993 (Michelin) were the same length at 17". The new Bosch blades were of different lengths (which is common on lots of cars), about 14.5 and 16.5". Since the edge of the old 993 blade sat closer to the drivers side of the windshield seal I replaced the new shorter blade on the driver's side.

I think the old Michelin blades might have been a little too long (they were on the car when I bought it, just never changed them as I don't drive in the rain much). I'd be curious to know how they came from the factory originally.

I second putting a towel down on the glass while doing this! I cracked a windshield once on a daily driver changing wipers.

[il Pirata]

Originally Posted by KNS

Sorry for the late reply.

The Bosch wiper blades I ordered from Pelican fit perfectly. Here if the strange part - The blades I removed from my 993 (Michelin) were the same length at 17". The new Bosch blades were of different lengths (which is common on lots of cars), about 14.5 and 16.5". Since the edge of the old 993 blade sat closer to the drivers side of the windshield seal I replaced the new shorter blade on the driver's side.

I think the old Michelin blades might have been a little too long (they were on the car when I bought it, just never changed them as I don't drive in the rain much). I'd be curious to know how they came from the factory originally.

I second putting a towel down on the glass while doing this! I cracked a windshield once on a daily driver changing wipers.

Followed by even later reply!

From the factory the shorter blade was on the drivers side (approx 15") and the longer blade (approx. 18") was on passenger side. I say approx. as I am not near the 993 to measure the OE blades.