Wiper Insert Refills

[ChevyHDGert]

My factory rubber wiper blades finaly starting tearing so I went to Wal-Mart and bought some triple-edge wiper blade insert refills to replace the factory ones.

 

But these new ones seem to miss a spot on the windshield and it's driving me crazy.

 

Is there a way to correct this or should I have just bough the original replacements parts from GM?

 

I told myself that when I bought another new truck that I would not buy anything other than GM replacements parts from the dealer cuz I've learned in the past that you get what you pay for but I figured wiper blades are wiper blades, how could you go wrong?

[gnutruk]

There might be an almost invisible film of oil or grease on either the glass or the blade. Try washing both again with denatured alcohol. If that doesn't do it, perhaps your new blade doesn't seat well in the wiper blade frame. Probably a low pressure spot. Test your cleaning fluid first on an inconspicuous spot, to make sure it won't mar your paint.

 

I think blades have to be carefully matched for best function. If the rubber is a little too hard or soft in any given section it won't lie perfectly flat. It will form a "hump" or a "pocket" at that point. As usual, the specific manufacturer brand of blade is likely to be most compatible, though perhaps not highest performance.

 

What brand was that Wally-World wiper you bought? My oem blades are going up on three years now, and they're pretty much shot. We're having a relatively dry season (so far) where I live, so there hasn't been too much motivation to change them out.

 

Also, the stock wiper blade frames (not the primary arms) are starting to flake off paint, so I'm thinking out changing them out too. Or maybe I'll just go and have them Line-X'ed.

 

gnutruk

[J-rod]

Well, I can't offer any advice or help but I think gnutruk is correct in saying that they have to be carefully matched (which of course comes through trial and error). I put a set of Bosch MicroEdge blades on my truck and love em. A few months after changing mine I put a set on my girlfriend's Maxima and the one on the driver's side misses a spot. Go figure ...

[budhayes3]

Definitely make sure that the insert is in the arm flat and there aren't any spots where it might need to be finessed.

 

About eight months ago I installed PIAA Super Silicone wipers on my truck and I was so impressed with them that I put em on my wife's Matrix and my Mom's Solara also...so far so good.

[99-2door]

I always replace the factory blade frames with Bosch frames from Auto-zone. The factory ones always leave streaks if you just put blades in them.

[az'03Silverado]

Sometimes the blade on the passenger side will not follow the curve of the windshield when it is stowed and will form a warped spot on the blade where the blade sits bent most of the time. This can cause streaking or missing. Also, I know yours are brand new but check for chips, cracks or debris along the blade.

One thing I always do is change the whole blade/frame assembly. They're not much more $$$ than just refils and you get a frame that's matched to the blade. Also, get a good brand like Bosch. They have more pressure points along the blade for better contact. The blades also have silicone in them to keep them from chattering and getting hard. They even stand up to the hot, dry weather here in the Phoenix area. It doesn't rain much here but when it does there's usually a mad dash to the auto parts store for wiper blades.

[ness5575]

i have always gone back to the dealer for my wiper blades. they usually get about $10 for them, but they always slide right in and work great with no hassle.

 

btw, my frames are starting to fade pretty bad so i think next time (soon) i will replace the frames and the blade both. dealer quoted about $20 for the new frame/blade combo...

[Greek]

I replace mine once a year or so with the inserts from the dealer (which work very well). When I start having problems I will switch to another blade. Not sure which yet.

[terry2004]

i got my refills from autozone .it was hard to find the refill that i needed so asked the clerk, he found it right away then said lets check it out on the truck then he put two new ones on for me .the right part the first time and then put it on for me