Windshield wipers

[magindat]

How do you guys keep the windshield wipers wiping the windshield at higher speeds?

When I'm driving on private track at about 75, the windshield wipers lift from the windshield. They are useless over 80.

Here in FL, it's not unusual to drive in a drizzle or light rain at speeds above 80 (private track, of course).

I'm really not interested intrying ump-teen brands of wipers 'till it works. I've seen a few 'aero' brands (bosch makes one), but man, their expensive for wipers! I've used the double wipers before, but I'd think they'd lift more. Anyways....

Anyone else have the same problem? Solution?

Thanx
Rich

[Hotrauder]

Rich, aero wipers, tho I don't drive over 80 when it is raining, not even close. I learned at a young age, not only can I not fly but I don't crumple that well either. Good luck. :D Dennis

[BruteForce]

...not only can I not fly but I don't crumple that well either.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[magindat]

Rich, aero wipers, tho I don't drive over 80 when it is raining, not even close. I learned at a young age, not only can I not fly but I don't crumple that well either. Good luck. :D Dennis

Thanx big D. I appreciate the advice.. and the warning. However, I set 'er up for this kind of driving. Kept the 3.55's and have SUV tires in the rear with a water displacement pattern. I drive a lot for my job and encounter this situation regularly. The fargin wipers are driving me nuts!

[ahess77]

I started investigating Volvo wipers that are OEM in Europe, but I haven't found a source that will sell them in the US. Europeans are apparently not adverse to driving 80+ in the rain and have superior wiper products as a result. Specifically, the wiper arm has a molded in "spoiler" that applies downforce to the blade at higher speeds. This helps overcome the wind hitting the blade at the windshield and lifting the blade off the glass. As it's an OEM part, it looks good, not like the cheap snap-on things I've seen aftermarket.

I believe Audi also has a similar wiper arm, I don't know if it replaces our J-hook arms or not like the Volvo would.

Does anybody have a lead on getting OEM parts from Europe for either Volvo or Audi?

[fastblackmerc]

Use the RainX additive for your windshield washer fluid. When it rains, a few squirts and the faster you go the quicker the rain slides off the windshield.

[jimlam56]

Use the RainX additive for your windshield washer fluid. When it rains, a few squirts and the faster you go the quicker the rain slides off the windshield.
I'm a big advocate of rainx on all my wndows, when freshly appliedyou don't even NEED wipers even in a good ole Florida thunderstorm...besides, it drives my wife nuts when I don't turn em on...:D

[Bradley G]

I like the rain repellant products.
If a vehicle sprays a bunch of water on the windshield(Big azz semi)I like to be able to see again, asap.
I'm not fussy wether it's the wipers, or the chemical that allows me to see .

[Dragcity]

I had an '89 Escort GT that had this problem at 40 MPH and above. I did find some "Wind Spoiler" blades that did the trick, very well!

Haven't seen them since though. The were flat black with flat gold lettering on them.

Maybe I shold Google them????

[Dragcity]

I found this......:

http://jobs.boschusa.com/AutoParts/WiperBlades/ICON/

and this:

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/piaa/super_sporza_splr_cf.jsp

Not quite what I had years ago.

[Mike]

Rain-x it works!!

[magindat]

I Europeans are apparently not adverse to driving 80+ in the rain and have superior wiper products as a result.

Agreed. Besides, the speeds at which they lift off are now LEGAL in parts of Texas.


I found this......

http://jobs.boschusa.com/AutoParts/WiperBlades/ICON/

Not quite what I had years ago.

I've seen them in the stores and was just looking at them on the web. I was really wondering if anyone here had similar issues and a solution, even if ICONs are it!

They are like $22 each! Maybe I'll bite the bullet and be the guinea pig.

The trouble with Rain-x is that it bakes off. I don't realize I need to re-apply 'till it's too late!!!

[magindat]

shopping.msn.com/results/<wbr>shp/?bcatId=4403,av=12-4560978,page=9

I can't look this up at work (shopping blocked). Came up on Google. Can someone check it out?


Edit
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField= 6833

Found 'em on ford racing. $ = Ouch!

[alarmguy]

The Bosch Icon are made for j-hook wiper arms only, not the post mount type like ours.

[Paul T. Casey]

I'm a big advocate of rainx on all my wndows, when freshly appliedyou don't even NEED wipers even in a good ole Florida thunderstorm...besides, it drives my wife nuts when I don't turn em on...:D


Me too, especially the driving the wife nuts part, worth the time and investment.

[baltimoremm]

+1 for rain-x. I rarely use wipers when i keep rain-x applied.

[quota]

Try the "REFLEX" wipers. I assume they are available in the US. Here, they are sold by "Canadian Tire". They cost a little bit more (around 30 canadians) and they are frameless. I am using them on my LSE as well as on my MM for one full year, at any speed in any weather. Full satisfaction !

[magindat]

I found this......:

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/piaa/super_sporza_splr_cf.jsp



I'd consider the PIAA's..


Try the "REFLEX" wipers. I assume they are available in the US. Here, they are sold by "Canadian Tire". They cost a little bit more (around 30 canadians) and they are frameless. I am using them on my LSE as well as on my MM for one full year, at any speed in any weather. Full satisfaction !

Now that's the kind of info I was looking for! Thanx! I'll Look 'em up.