Windshield Wiper Lift

[DaveN]

Does anyone have suggestions for stopping the driver's side windshield wiper lift problem? At highway speeds, the wiper loses contact with the windshield right in my line of sight, it did this on my 97 too. I tried different wipers, with no luck. Also tried swapping the wipers, thinking maybe I had a bad one... . Has anyone been able to fix this?

 

[Stroke This 24V]

I took the spring from the arm and cut one coil off and reinstalled it you might want to try a 1/4 of a coil at a time to keep from putting too much pressure on the wiper blade

 

[DaveN]

good idea, I'll try that... . thanks!

 

[QRTRHRS]

Memory is failing as usual but I recall a thread about heavier springs being available in Canada. Any of our Canadian brothers got a comment on this? The springs not my memory

 

[R.Brooks]

There are "Aero" wipers available that will solve the problem. Theyhave a little wing on top that puts more down pressure as speed increases. This works very well as the problem is usually speed dependant. (i. e. Try 85 in a hard headwind, the wipers will be about 6" off windshield. )

 

[bighammer]

Shorter Wipers

Buy shorter wiper blades. Mine were really bad at highway speeds until I went to a set of shorter wipers. Less blade to catch the wind makes a big difference. Don't even notice the reduction of the wiped area anymore. If I remember right, mine are 3" less than stock.

 

[Double 6]

If you have a bugshield, other than the Mopar one your wipers can do funny things, like lift.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

old tricks

From many days gone by, I remember GM having a problem with lifting wiper blades. They said most of the problem was due to the angle of the blade on the arm, which was greatly worsened by icy weather and the owner's scraping ice off of the windshield and hitting or bending the blade. And also by turning on the wipers when they are frozen down. I believe they said to use a crescent wrench and bend the arm in the direction of the blades travel when it lifts. If it lifts on the upstroke, turn it upwards, and vice-versa if it does it the other way. Any other old sages out there that can verify my memory???



I also found out that replacement blade refills due not last long as the factory arms pinch the blade too tight, and the water will get under them where they have lifted.

 

[DarrellB]

I haven't had problems with mine lifting but I go through about 4 to 5 sets of wipers a year I like to try to wipe the bugs off with them and that causes them to ware out a little quick.



Buy the way does anybody know of a bug sheild that actually works? I had the mopar bug sheild and all that it did was bring the bugs up to eye level before the hit the windsheild.



Later

Big D

 

[JGK]

Last year there was a thread about this and some one suggested some helper "springs" from NAPA. These are really just stiff steel wire painted black that fits over the wiper arm and increases the hold-down pressure a bit. They're relatively cheap and with a little custom bending, they've worked for me.



Jay

 

[yogibear]

You can find those helper springs in any truck stop. 6 or 7 bucks.

Larry