Replacement Windshield Wipers?

[The Demon]

Never turned wipers on in Cali? Did you live in Death Valley?

I had two Mustangs. The Mach 1 never came out in the rain. The ‘19 took all the brutality.

Sponsored

 

[MAGS1]

Motorcraft wiper blades for me. They work great. I usually get the set from LMR, they typically have the best price. Also gives me an excuse to buy some other stuff to get to $99 free shipping .

I put Rain-X blades on my wife’s car, the AC Delco OEM blades suck. Rain-X blades are great as well

 

[larr12]

I ordered the OEM from @LevittownFordParts

 

[3pdl]

i like the oem blades.
rockauto sells them too.

FR3Z-17528-A
FR3Z-17528-B

 

[BamasGT]

It's about time for me to replace my windshield wipers and I wanted to know if getting the OEM ones are the best option or should I look for something else?

I ordered a set from Walmart. They work very well and good price.

 

[mrich44]

recently swapped mine to bosch icons after the oem ones started to go. work great.. no complaints

 

[Garfy]

I keep my car in the garage which reduces the aging of the blade rubber. I also drive the Fusion if possible when rain is forecasted. But then, though retired, my wife drives the Fusion nearly every day so I get in a pinch, I may have to drive the Mustang in the rain.
All that said, my wipers do last a long time, given my storage and driving habits...but when they start chattering as they did, it was time to change them. I hate chattering wipers.

Yes, usually when they chatter it's because the rubber wiping element is no longer straight, it's probably bent to one side or the other (they're usually bent upward because when the wipers are turned off, they park on the downstroke which leaves the wiper element bent toward the top. I found that after I get home or wherever, I would lift the wiper arms so that the bent tension on the rubber is removed and when you let them back down, the rubber is straight. Usually when they get bent this way, the chatter occurs on the upstroke and no chatter on the downstroke because of the way the rubber has bent. UV from the sun is what kills it too if you park outside in the sun a lot.

 

[gvn49]

To those that never have had to use their wipers or never change them what do you do if you get behind someone that use their washer and it squirts over their vehicle onto yours, I’ve had massive amounts of window spray like this as the person in front just kept spraying. What about bugs, bird droppings, oil pray rom the worn out engines, stuff from other cars splashing onto your windows, etc we get that a lot around here? How about the unexpected rain shower, we get them often here also even when you see no clouds or the road rager that decides to throw a cup of sode out the window. I don’t live in a totally dry area very rural here and sometimes the dust from the roads and fields especially during harvest time, has to be cleared off to see, so for a few dollars I keep my wiper blades in good shape, I also keep a spare set in the spare tire area just in case. I had a wiper blade come off one time and before I could shut them off on my older mustang it had already scratched the windshield. Like insurance, a spare tire and cell phone I would rather have good blades and not use them, then need then and not have them.

I’ve used Rain-X blades, Michelin and other name brands and haven’t had a problem with them as like others, OEM are nice as their made for the vehicle and you know they fit correctly. I also wipe my blades whenever I fuel up, you will be suppressed as how much crud comes off them. I try not to drive in wet weather but sometimes it happens..

 

[Ecto1]

I put Rain-X Rugged XL Beam blades on my stang roughly 2 years ago. They've held up well in the FL sun and work VERY well in Florida's monsoon rain storms. I've been very pleased with them.

I advise against silicone infused blades. I tried these a dozen years ago on one of my cars and they don't last very long in any conditions. When they're new they're great. But only when they're new.

 

[Snakebyte]

Yes, usually when they chatter it's because the rubber wiping element is no longer straight, it's probably bent to one side or the other (they're usually bent upward because when the wipers are turned off, they park on the downstroke which leaves the wiper element bent toward the top. I found that after I get home or wherever, I would lift the wiper arms so that the bent tension on the rubber is removed and when you let them back down, the rubber is straight. Usually when they get bent this way, the chatter occurs on the upstroke and no chatter on the downstroke because of the way the rubber has bent. UV from the sun is what kills it too if you park outside in the sun a lot.

Good point @Garfy, as the last set I installed chattered when new. I had to bend the arm as you stated to correct it.
The chatter I was speaking of is when the rubber content in the blade hardens over time. Vinyl blades generally don't harden as much over time, but I prefer the more pliable rubber blades.

 

[dasrider]

Bosch icon all the things

this is the way

 

[Anyone3505]

The best wipers in general- by far- use silicone blades instead of rubber. I've used PIAA in every vehicle for a decade. They are much more expensive than even nice rubber models (Bosch, etc), but the blades last me 5+ years before i replace the inserts. They come with a water-repelling coating that keeps them running smoothly.

I've put them on 3 or 4 vehicles over the years, and waiting for them to arrive for a recently added SUV. With monthly cleaning, they will never streak or skip.

https://www.piaa.com/siliconewiperblades

 

[akoster]

I ended up getting the OEM ones. Hopefully they last a while.

 

[mindo389]

I used Rain-X last time I changed blades. They're OK and do the job. I'm beginning to get one or two streaks starting after a year. Being winter is coming on, I'll wait to change them when spring is oncoming and there's no more chance of frost that eats the blades up.

Sponsored