2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wipers freeze! Can't see a thing!

[Scooby]

Anyone else having this problem?



My wipers (especially the driver's side, of course ) seems to freeze and not contour to the window. The result is that it either doesn't seem to touch the window (except at the extremes of the wiper blade) or it doesn't do even a decent job of keeping the icey buildup off the window (even after I scrape the window clean). I have to stop to break off the ice from the windshield wiper - or turn them off and let the defroster warm them through the window. Is it that the springs holding the arms to the glass are too weak?



Not only is it frustrating, but dangerous. Otherwise I have been totally happy with the performance in the snow/ice.

 

[Chipstien]

This happens alot when it is snowing and it is a slushy snow. Other than keeping the defrosters on, the best thing is to pull off the road, get out, and lift the wiper and let it smack against the window. That way it breaks off the snow and ice.

 

[ddutil]

eh! (an advice from Canada )

Buy winterized blades, the flexible parts are ... well, more flexible, and protected by a rubber wrapping.



Dan



A picture's worth a thousand words

 

[RKohn]

I use the Rain-X ice melting washer fluid...

plus an extra 10 ft. of washer hose wrapped around the upper radiator hose. Got some of those extra springs for the wiper arms at WallyWorld.

 

[Scooby]

Thanks for the replies. I bought some new Bosch wiper blades (not just refills) that look a bit beefier. I'll try those, but I'm sure it won't ice again until next year - now that I have them!

 

[Idaho CTD]

I usually just put my wipers on low and reach out and grab the wiper, as it is going by, and pull it away from the window. Like Chipstein said this breaks the ice off of the wiper. Also keep the defrost on high or close to it and crack the windows if it gets too hot.

 

[Dkevdog]

You might consider heated wiper blades, there are a number of companies out there making them now.

Example



Fortunately we don't get much frozen stuff here in So Cal ... ... ...

Kev

 

[cmonroe]

The winter blades work good untill you get over 80mph or so. The extra material around the arms act like a wing and they start to float off the windshield. Does anyone know where to get the springs that attach to the wiper arms to keep them on the windshield? I perfer to run these winter blades year round because they will actually wipe heavy mud off the windshield.

 

[yogibear]

Craig, most truck stops have the add-on springs.

You guys wait and watch Geno's, They will have a heated wiper blade for us shortly, 3yr. warranty and thermostaticly controlled.



Larry

 

[ddutil]

80mph !!!

Originally posted by cmonroe

The winter blades work good untill you get over 80mph or so

'round here, 80mph during winter is for ski-doos only, and restricted to frozen lakes.



I sure like the idea of a heated blade, and I think the springs should be stock parts.



I switch my blades twice a year so the winter ones will last 2+ yrs. Same w/ tires.



Dan

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by cmonroe
The winter blades work good untill you get over 80mph or so. The extra material around the arms act like a wing and they start to float off the windshield. ...

If you can deal with less windshield cleared, use a 17" (or even 16") winter blade on the driver's side. That is *just* enough difference to keep that blade on the windscreen at 75MPH in all but the worst headwinds. It works for me, at any rate.

The passenger-side blade rarely lifts up, if ever, so I use the regular 19"-20" blade there. .

Fest3er

 

[cmonroe]

Hey boo boo

Thanks Yogi i'll have to look into getting some of those. Ddutil, around here we get alot of powder and not that much ice built up on our roads, so 80+ is not that uncommon in the snow. However we have our share of ski-doos, but the 800 RMK's are taking over.

 

[bighammer]

I have 16" wipers on the 94 and don't miss the extra area normally cleared.

 

[AKDrifter]

There's a certian temp. where the snow sticks to windshield or does'nt. Sometimes decreasing cab heat ( especially off windshield ) will let the snow fly off instead of sticking.



If it continues to stick use the "stick your hand out the window, lift and slap the wiper at the top of stroke" method. But be careful!



Paul

 

[Scooby]

Fortunately we don't get much frozen stuff here in So Cal ... ... ...

Kev [/B]

Yeah, I know... rub it in... . I just moved from So Cal. and this is my first real winter with this truck!





Thanks for all the replies - I may try the smaller wiper blade on the drivers side - 16 or 17" of clear vision is better than virtually none!

 

[Badunit]

I've found, as AKDrifter noted, that turning down the cab heat is the way to go under snowy conditions. I've gone so far as to turn the defrost on and the fan on high with the heat control ALL THE WAY DOWN to keep the window as cool as possible and de-fogged at the same time. Gets pretty danged cold but I don't even have to turn the wipers on, the snow just blows right off. I fought and fought with the defroster and wipers until I figured out this trick. Just be sure you have a warm coat and some gloves!

 

[cmonroe]

The reason that we have to keep our wipers functional at all time out here is now they spray mag-cloride on the roads and it coats everything. Its like driving threw a black slushie.

 

[Ron Bissett]

This winter is the first time I have has problems with the wipers it seems like the Ice built up on the backing arm and kept the wiper from flexing like it normally did had to smack the backing with a snow scraper several times to brake the ice and then bend the blade back to normal angle , took time to soften the blade , will be looking for some extra hose to do the rap around the heater hose or the radiator hose . Ron in Louisville Metro KY

 

[yogibear]

I'm going for the heated blades. I know about keeping wipers functional Craig. You get a real bad build up of crud on the glass when the weather is good. I have found the best windshield washer solvent I have ever used. Go to www.quicknbrite.com

get the liquid Quick N Brite, mix 1/4 cup QNB to 1 gal. of hot water, and add 2 cups isoprophyl alcohol to keep from freezing, the hot water is just to mix good initially, don't need to heat it after that. Try it you'll like it (don't need the alcolhol in summer)



Larry