2010 Silverado Windshield Wiper Blade Issues (side Lock's)

mokeman3 · February 15, 2011

I'm at witts end.... Traded my 1996 F-150 which I had for 15 years in on a new Silverado last July - 5.3L auto, regular cab, short box..

Having issues/concerns with the windshield wiper situation. Shortly after I bought it last July, (Septemberish?) the crappy OEM wipers were skipping, chattering, and just not doing good.

So I cheaned the glass real good, Rain-X'd it real good, and went and dropped $20/ea on some Rain-X brand teflon deals, and started having problems. No chattering, and they "swept" fairly well, but they were leaving this band in the center on the drivers side where the blade wasn't contacting the windshield in the center just under where the arm connects to the blade.

Futz'd with that for almost a month, and said the heck with that, - at $40, I want it to work perfectly. Took them back to O'Riely, and they exchanged them for some other ones for a few dollars more, - the Anco Contour's I think. Same thing...

December, I went to NAPA, and they sold me some other ones, - Bosch I believe. They "sorta" mostly worked Ok, but recently they started chattering real bad. Seems the cleaner I got the glass, and the more polished I got it with Rain-X, the more they started to chatter. So much so, that this morning it seemed like it would be doing damage to the wiper motor gears and such.

So I went and got the Michlean Radius side-locks (22"), and now I'm back to the original "missing band under the arm-blade contact point.

WTF is the deal here? Is this a common problem/design problem with this big (22 inch) sidelocks? Do I have a warped windshield? Help!

I live in Seattle, and REALLY particular about good working windshield wipers, and I just don't know what to do. Seriously starting to think of my next step - trade it in/sell it ?

Thanks for any help,

MM3

old-chevy-dude · February 15, 2011

i'd place money that it is the rain-x crap on the windshield causing it..

rain-x is known to cause wiper clatter..

mokeman3 · February 15, 2011

i'd place money that it is the rain-x crap on the windshield causing it..

rain-x is known to cause wiper clatter..

Chatter isn't the bigger issue... I can clean off the Rain-X, or let it wear off, but what I *REALLY* want, is a wiper that has 100% contact to the windshield on the drivers side throughout the entire swing (both directions). Like to know what others are using wiper blade brand wise, as I can't believe that I'm alone with this problem.

MM3

TexasAl · February 15, 2011

I am currently using Bosch Ion. Expensive, but they work great. I tried Rain X, and I got the same results you did.The only pair of blades that have worked better than the OEM ones have been the Bosch. I would clean the Rain X coating off your windshield, and get a pair of Bosch, and you should be set. Don't forget to clean off the blades each time you wash your truck. It will help keep the krud of the new blade, and they may last a bit longer.

mach000 · February 15, 2011

Interesting, I'm currently using the rain-x wipers and they seem to be working well. Only issue I have is about a 1/2 inch or so on the passenger side near the edge isn't clearing sometimes. Overall I'm happy with them.

mokeman3 · February 15, 2011

I am currently using Bosch Ion. Expensive, but they work great. I tried Rain X, and I got the same results you did.The only pair of blades that have worked better than the OEM ones have been the Bosch. I would clean the Rain X coating off your windshield, and get a pair of Bosch, and you should be set. Don't forget to clean off the blades each time you wash your truck. It will help keep the krud of the new blade, and they may last a bit longer.

The Bosch Ion's are what I just took off, - and they were the ones "mostly" working Ok, but did have occasional chatter. But I did wash the truck yesturday, and did a full Rain-X treatment before they chattered like hell this morning when I was forced to take them off and put on the Michleans.

Ok, I guess I can try the Ion's once again, - they aren't but a couple/few months old.

Still depressing, - 9,900 miles, and on my 5th set of wipers, winshield fogs up on the inside, and wiper problems on the other side. Seems the windshield in general is the issue, - maybe I should just take it out. ( ;) )

But thanks of any/all information everybody.

TexasAl · February 15, 2011

I went through the same problems you are having with my Grand Prix. It all started after I did a Rain X treatment. It is a great product, and it works great, but it will cause the chatter you describe. I stopped using rain x treatment, and no more chatter. Others swear by the rain x brand products, but they have not worked well for me. My recommendation, find a way to remove the rain x treatment. Once you do that, get a set of Bosch ions, and see what happens. Be sure to remove the rain x as best as possible.

zozmanGMC · February 15, 2011

Rain-X has nothing to do with it. Remove skipping windshield blade and turn it around then re-install.

zoz

PhilB · February 15, 2011

I had the same problem with the RainX wipers. Found out that I didn't have them installed correctly on the wiper arm. The blades connect with the "button clip" (for lack of a better technical term) to the wiper arm. But at the other end there is an angled slot that the wiper arm fits into for the blade. If you look at where the blades are missing the windshield, it will be in the are of where the blade connects to the wiper arm.

nickvrebel · February 15, 2011

I'm at 23,000 miles with the original wiper blades still working just fine, I've only applied rain-x to my windshield once and I've not noticed any adverse effects, I'm just too lazy to reapply it lol

old-chevy-dude · February 15, 2011

i'd place money that it is the rain-x crap on the windshield causing it..

rain-x is known to cause wiper clatter..

Chatter isn't the bigger issue... I can clean off the Rain-X, or let it wear off, but what I *REALLY* want, is a wiper that has 100% contact to the windshield on the drivers side throughout the entire swing (both directions). Like to know what others are using wiper blade brand wise, as I can't believe that I'm alone with this problem.

MM3

ok I see what you are saying, yes I have a similar issue where the drivers side blade streeks a space about 6 inches from the top of the blade, I usually just put the thing on the fastest setting and it clears the spot, but I can understand what you are saying..

any chance that the arm itself may have gotten bent? I believe my detailer may have over extended mine when washing the truck which is why it does it, I haven't messed with it, but I'd bet bending it slightly would cure the problem.. just a thought.

old-chevy-dude · February 15, 2011

hey maybe this will help:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcn.../topicseen.html

looks like they are saying the police issue wiper arms have stronger spring strength so they maintain contact with the windshield better.

here, I found the thread with the correct part numbers:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcn...?topic=105323.0

here we go, after digging thru it all:

15776792: CAP

20773356: ARM - driver's side

20773355: ARM - passenger's side

AntelopeLTZ · February 15, 2011

I had the same problem too after I applied Rain-X. I even put on a new set of Dura-Last wipers to try and cure the problem, same chattering problem. I used Soft-Scrub to clean the Rain-x off and the chatter went away.

STINSAN3 · February 15, 2011

I use Rain-X & I don't have any problems.

khancock · February 16, 2011

I use Rain-X & I don't have any problems.

I use Rain-X and they suck. For the $ they should not only make my glass perfect but wipe my butt too. Since day one they have had holes in the middle and not gotten the upper extreme / edge as everyone described. The good news is after over a year they still suck the same as day one. At some point I'm going to get around to getting some of the Bosch, I've seen other threads referencing these as doing a good job.