Wiper blades

[Roger King]

I assume that isn't a serious suggestion Roger.

A decent windscreen wiper seems to be something that eludes even current mainstream manufacturers. With new blades, the wipers on my 2 year old Range Rover are smooth and silent, but in no time at all, they start thumping at the end of each sweep as the blade flops over. They drive me nuts.

Paul

Interesting. Never had any issues with BMW ones - my 12-yr-old 330's wipers still work very well, quiet and effective, and I can't remember when I last changed the blades - oh, I haven't. Thinking about it, I'd have to say the wipers on the old Mustang are pretty good, too - they're a decent size, and because Ford used a proper pantograph arm arrangement instead of the Brit manufacturers' stupid wire rack affair of the 50s and 60s, they actually work reliably and clear the screen.

Yes, seriously. The DR3 6-wire motor, as originally fitted to 289 Cobras, is the same as XK Jags and has a reverse-park mechanism. When you switch on, they sweep over a V-shaped area in front of you, centred around the vertical. When you then switch them off, they sort of twitch to half way, then flop backwards further down onto the scuttle. Complicated, and bizarre to watch - and no, they don't clear the screen of water effectively, either.

[Colin Newbold]

I recommend something like Rainex water repellant... you can leave the wipers off for ages and then when you do use them there's no impairment. Really no down side.

Even the cheaper Halfords equivalent won me three places at Oulton Park in a hailstorm!

Colin

[Paul Blore]

I always use Rain-X Colin, but at some point you invariably need to turn the wipers on on longer journeys. The problem with the Cobra wipers seems to be keeping the blades in contact with the screen at anything resembling decent progress. I think I need to find some different arms with stronger springs in them.

Paul

[Roger King]

I always use Rain-X Colin, but at some point you invariably need to turn the wipers on on longer journeys. The problem with the Cobra wipers seems to be keeping the blades in contact with the screen at anything resembling decent progress. I think I need to find some different arms with stronger springs in them.

Paul

Careful Paul, if you increase the spring tension by much you'll strain the weedy little splines on the wiper arms - did this on the Mini, and within minutes the splines had stripped and the wipers were useless. You could go to a different wiper arm design, but it depends how far from 'correct' you want to go.
Also worth noting that the 'Tex' type with the locking screw take a lot of fettling to fit.
It's just a rubbish design, I'm afraid, and always was - we just notice it now as our everyday cars are so much better! In the sixties you knew you weren't going to see much when it rained...

[Old Boy Racer]

I've got 9 inches as well (ooh er missus) but seem to need a new set of blades every year since they inevitably start peeling back from the edges where they park on the trim around the screen. No use at all compared to wipers on modern cars but as Roger says that's to be expected. RainX is good as is driving sideways to see out of the side instead. Only on a track of course.

Robin

[Roger King]

I've got 9 inches as well (ooh er missus) but seem to need a new set of blades every year since they inevitably start peeling back from the edges where they park on the trim around the screen. No use at all compared to wipers on modern cars but as Roger says that's to be expected. RainX is good as is driving sideways to see out of the side instead. Only on a track of course.

Robin

Good tip I heard a few years back, seems to work: modern rubber compounds have different plasticizers in them which are not as effective over time. Work a bit of Nivea hand cream (she won't notice if it's only a few black bits in the pot) into the wiper blade, and I do the screen seals etc. as well. Certainly seems to keep them flexible for longer. You know you're worth it...*


*if it was good enough for M Schumacher, it's good enough for me

[clive]

The problem with the Cobra wipers seems to be keeping the blades in contact with the screen at anything resembling decent progress.

I find when I get some speed up in the wet it is the inside of the windscreen that need wipers.

[Paul Blore]

Fair point Clive. Maybe I should just remove the screen altogether.

[Migge]

Yeah, single racing screen!

[agnoraan]

Yeah, a single racing screen & satin black wheels oh, and some black headlight covers .....nasty, nasty look

cheers...Nige