Hi All!

Just wondering if any of you have experienced the following.

My windshield wipers work great, to a point...

When the vehicle is driven at highway speeds (110kmp/70mph) or above, the wiper skips across the windshield.
It could be worse, it could be in both directions...but no (sarcasm)...it only takes place when the wiper is returning to its home position. It makes a perfectly fine pass on its way up, then skips on its way home, leaving that portion of the windshield (which just happens to be in front of my line of vision) unwiped. Of course the effect is even worse in intermittend mode when the unwipped section sits that way for an extended period of time. The tips of the wiper blade still make contact. Both driver and shotgun blades behave in the same manner. I have tried a number of different blades but so far no improvement. When it does wipe, it does a great job and at lower speeds it is perfect and quiet.

Over the weekend I was driving in freezing weather with a mixed rain/slush/snow thing taking place and even with heat on the windshield, there started to be a build up on the windshield and I had to slow down considerably. It was pretty dangergerous and a little scary, not being able to see in those conditions and at that speed, even for a couple of seconds.

So, my questions are:

1. Has anyone else experienced this and what, if anything, was your remedy?
2. It there anyway to adjust the spring tension on the wiper arm (or just replace it) and would this help?

I have seen that problem on my current truck and also my previous 2003 Silverado. Even had it happen with a Jeep Cherooke. I think it has something to do with aero but really can't prove it.

When I had the Jeep I had bought a set of the wipers that had fins on them. These were there for the purpose of keeping the blades pushed down on the window tighter. The only thing it seemed to do was cause the blades to wear out faster. Still got the streaking area when up over 70 mph.

Sorry I couldn't help you find a solution but thought I would mention my history with it as well.

Have a great day.

Bill

quote:

I had bought a set of the wipers that had fins on them

Thank you for that! I was going to try these also...so you have helped out by saving me that disappointment.

I don't live where it snows, but I have found that the addage "you get what you pay for" is quite true with wiper blades. I used to use the Trico and Anco replacement blades and even tried the Triple Edge (crap) wipers and found that they just weren't any good.

When I was a the SEMA show in Vegas back in 2002, I got a pair of PIAA wipers (freebies / samples), and what a difference - no hopping, skipping or streaking. These wipers come with a silicone wet nap to apply to the windshield, then you run the wipers dry for about 3 minutes. Those are great wipers and they lasted for 2+ years on my other truck. I even bought a pair for my wifes car. The wipers are pricey, about $24 each. But what is your safety worth? I even think that they come with a warranty. I know they sell them at Tire Rack, but you might be able to find them locally, maybe at the local ricer performance shop.

I hope that helps you guys out there in snow country.

Good Luck
Mark

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SS Crew,

BlackDawg, here you go…

Wiper arm tension is not adjustable, check if they are loose or not. They need 22 lb.ft torque. Sometimes arms worn and play on the wiper drive shaft; check that too.

I have tried most of the wiper blades like the other guys, and found that the original GM blades, from dealers have the best performance. I didn’t know about the PIAA wipers SS Crew advices, will try them, if I can find locally…

quote:

and even tried the Triple Edge (crap) wipers and found that they just weren't any good.

When I was a the SEMA show in Vegas back in 2002, I got a pair of PIAA wipers (freebies / samples), and what a difference - no hopping, skipping or streaking. These wipers come with a silicone wet nap to apply to the windshield, then you run the wipers dry for about 3 minutes. Those are great wipers and they lasted for 2+ years on my other truck. I even bought a pair for my wifes car. The wipers are pricey, about $24 each. But what is your safety worth? I even think that they come with a warranty. I know they sell them at Tire Rack, but you might be able to find them locally, maybe at the local ricer performance shop

Thanks for that SS Crew. I agree with you on the "three blade" wipers. They just reduce the wiper pressure on the windshield to 33% per blade. Well...perhaps that is an over simplification but they certainly don't work as well as the "three-blade" razors.
I fould the PIAAs yesterday. $35 to $39CDN. I was in a rush so I couldn't spend any time to check them out but was happy to find a local source. You say "silicone wet nap". Is that like the glass wax I used to use 20 years ago that beads the water? It was great on the side glass but I never liked the effect on the windshield. I would like to hear more about these. If they do last that long, they are certainly worth the price as I change mine every spring and fall due to the harmful effects of the cold of winter and heat of summer.

quote:

Wiper arm tension is not adjustable, check if they are loose or not. They need 22 lb.ft torque. Sometimes arms worn and play on the wiper drive shaft; check that too.

Thanks for that Ken! Very good to know!!!
I'll have to get the scale out of my tackle box. I also have to wonder if the ability of the blade to flex and stay in contact with all point on the glass is somehow reduced by the cold. Perhaps the "hinge" points of the blade are siezing up. Maybe I just got new blades from a bad batch. More testing (groan). By the way, I found the PIAAs out west here at Lordco. Maybe you have them in TO???

I have a 2002 Denali with that problem. Have changed the blades ( dealer did) and same problem....I too would like to know how to solve that one!!

I haven't heard anything from you guys with wiper problems - did the PIAA wipers work? If not, did you find a solution that worked?

Enquiring minds want to know!

quote:

I haven't heard anything from you guys with wiper problems - did the PIAA wipers work? If not, did you find a solution that worked?

Hiya SS...I didn't pick up a pair of the PIAs yet but I am keeping that potential solution in my back pocket, perhaps for my change in the fall. The most recent pair I had put on have been tested at "high speed" (hmmm) in the rain worked well, but I have not had the opportunity to test them in the same weather conditions (freezing slush) as I experienced with the old ones so the jury is still out. Sorry I can't provide more concrete info at this time. I suppose for now my conclusion would be that I just got a bad pair of wipers, still seems odd to me though.

Well I pretty much eliminated the bad wiper concept because my passanger wiper worked find, so I switched it to the drivers side. Result....Passanger side (with bad blade) works fine, driver side still skips......then, put new blades on both sides, passanger side is fine, drivers side...skips...only luck I had was to spray some lube on the driver side wiper joints. Now they work "most" of the time, but not all the time.

You know, you might have some sort of crap on your windshield causing your wiper blades to skip. Have you tried clay barring your windshield? If the blades skip in the same places for a while you'll get "skid" or chatter marks on the glass. A clay bar treatment might do some good here.

Just a thought, plus the clay bar kit is cheaper than those PIAA wipers.

quote:

A clay bar treatment might do some good here.

Great advice SS! I have a clay bar in my detailing kit. I will give it a shot. I was going to try that glass wax as a last resort but I don't like to put it on the front windscreen and if your theory is correct, it would only cover over the problem and not remove it.

Did you switch just wiper blades? If so, I would try switching wiper arms too, may be the problem is with the wiper arm.

I just changed the blades, that is, the assembly that attaches to the arm, not just a blade refill.