skipping wiper blades

[smokin fastiva]

when i'm going 55 or faster the windshield wipers will skip across the windshield and not really accomplish anything but annoying the crap out of me. is there a way to fix this? i know new blades will for a little while but i didnt know if that spring that holds them down gets weak or if it was something like that i could fix. thanks!

[packrat427]

I know there is a company that makes these , I have a set .

They are a extra spring that holds more tension on the arm assy. to keep them down .

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6931691.html

[GenevaDirt]

I have the spring things....but even at higher speeds I had the problem. It is against my nature because I am so cheap but I decided to try the newer blades you see that are all just one piece of curved material instead of the standard frame type blades.
I thought there is no way they would stay down at speed but I have to say I am impressed with them.
I have not had a problem yet with the blade skipping or missing as I am driving.
Now I will have to see how long they last. I paid about $13.00 a piece at Wal-mart for mine.

[deathegg]

Don't forget to Rain-X the windshield too! Helps a lot with the skipping problem.

[GenevaDirt]

I do not like rain-x on my windshield....great stuff till you need to use your wipers and then it does not let the wipers wipe right and leaves streaks unless you are constantly applying it.

[mechanicaldj]

also try cleaning the windshield first with a good light rubbing compound. to remove all of the crap that is causing the skipping in the first place

[bravekozak]

Reflex

I prefer the single extruded Reflex blades. They have a natural curve to them so that they always sit flat on the glass, even at high speed. No springs required.They are streamlined and beautiful. I'll dare you to get them to lift off the windshield. One wipe, in one direction, and there is no water left in it's path. I buy mine at Canadian Tire here. I am not allowed to post the Company's official nickname on this website.

[gdawgs]

I remember times when the wiper blades didn't even touch the windshield, but lift off like a good inch. Once you get over 100mph of wind hitting them, they don't work well.

I never(or very rarely anyway) drive mine at highway speeds anymore, so not much of an issue for me. Used to be a real pain in the ole' behind when I drove a lot though.

[Levitan]

Don't you guys find that it is the driver's side wiper that is the most problematic over 55 mph? I just use the spring on it, still, with not the best results, but better. Now that I see that there are other solutions, I may just upgrade the driver's wiper, and move the spring to the passenger side, or some other combination.

[packrat427]

A lot of it is just the design of the car , the wind just comes up the hood and gets up under the blade/arm assy. and and a weak arm spring , then it is all over the place .

That helper spring will really help at NORMAL speeds . BUT it does create more drag/ resistance on the motor and linkage.

I love Rain X , when it is fresh , but when it wears off and you need to use the wipers , it will create more drag also.

[jglutz]

I love Rian-X...you have to put it on like buffing compund...let it haze...then buff the heck out of it. When put on properly...you don't even need your wipers...the beads of water roll right off. The only problem is that it obly last for a couple of weeks.

I've never had problems with my wipers staying engaged. Old wiper blade and a little water is a problem. I don't have intermittent wipers...when the blades get old and only a few drops exist...the blades chatter.

I change blades twice a year....once in April and once in November (winter type)

I always buy regualr Anco's with the metal...not just the rubber part.

[GenevaDirt]

hey Joe...you may want to try the blades I mentioned. They do not chatter with just the little bit of water....they do not lift at highway speeds and they are a solid material with the wiper attached so the ice and snow will not affect them. A guy that comes into work says that he has had them on his truck for almost 3 years now.

[smokin fastiva]

Don't you guys find that it is the driver's side wiper that is the most problematic over 55 mph? I just use the spring on it, still, with not the best results, but better. Now that I see that there are other solutions, I may just upgrade the driver's wiper, and move the spring to the passenger side, or some other combination.

Yes! its the drivers side that does it! lol i'll probably try to spring. 30 dollars for a set of wiper blades doesnt make sense to me

[jglutz]

hey Joe...you may want to try the blades I mentioned. They do not chatter with just the little bit of water....they do not lift at highway speeds and they are a solid material with the wiper attached so the ice and snow will not affect them. A guy that comes into work says that he has had them on his truck for almost 3 years now.

Hmmm...I might be cheaper than you....I cringe every time I pay for blades.

[packrat427]

I cringed at the price, but I had to see just how good these are , I love these , no freezing up all winter , the ice cannot get into the little fingers and supports of the blade .
Farm and Fleet had these $24.00 per blade marked down to $15.00 pr. side with a $20.00 rebate , which I did receive, so they were not too bad of a price .
Trico