Is there a significance to pinch-tab wipers vs J-Hooks?

[redhat]

On my 2024 Tahoe, the wipers are the pinch-tab style. I've noticed the T1XX Silverados (2019 and up) have J hook wiper arms, as did the previous generation K2XX (2015-2020) Tahoe/Yukon.

Coming as OE equipment on the K2XX Tahoe/Yukon and T1XX trucks, the wiper blades are refillable and made by Nippon Wiper company. They are silicone wipers and IMO some of the best wiping performance I've had. Same style that a lot of OE Toyota/Honda blades are. For my 2005 Suburban and 2005 Tahoe, I bought the GM OE refillable J-hook 22" wiper blades and really liked them. Plus refills were $5 on RockAuto. Would love to have them on the new truck.

Are there any obvious reasons why they went with pinch-tabs on the newer models? I have a set of refillable OE blades sitting and I'd like to put them on, even if that meant getting Silverado wiper arms and switching them.

Any one have an idea? or anything I'm missing?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

No, there isn't. It's only to sell more expensive wipers

Even worse are rear wiper designs, the snap claw and roc loc that lock you into expensive tiny wipers.

There is nothing wrong with J-hook wipers

 

[VolvoZ]

Don’t get me started on wiper attachment technologies! On the latest wiper change, i found out that there exists a “new to me” style of attachment: a “Tab-B” style on an ‘08 Volvo XC70. Guess what? That means there must also be a “Tab-A” style. It’s infuriating!

Anyway, OP, I don’t know the answer to your questions.

What the heck was wrong with a J-hook? Nothing. It was simple and effective.

 

[Rand]

J hook is my favorite.. the only issue I ever had was with some blades that wouldn't lock.. but a different brand and everything was fine again.

 

[vavavroom]

There is a J-hook wiper arm adaptor kit that lets you use J-hook type wipers on non- J-hook wiper arms. Drilling two holes into the wiper arm is required. I don't know whether or not the adaptors rust.

Bosch 3392390298

 

[D60]

There is a J-hook wiper arm adaptor kit that lets you use J-hook type wipers on non- J-hook wiper arms. Drilling two holes into the wiper arm is required. I don't know whether or not the adaptors rust.

Bosch 3392390298

On our '08 GMT900 I literally considered just cutting off the end and welding on a J-hook from a donor arm (most any manufacturer would do).

As others have said, J-hook is great. Simple and effective -- which is exactly why engineers couldn't leave it alone and had to try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[D60]

Also, I never figured this out but ~10 years ago there were TWO styles of GM's stupid squeeze-tab design.

I bought two wipers at our local O'Reilly and according to the parts listings they were correct, but they didn't quite fit. They looked correct but the adapters were either a bit too long or too short (don't remember).

This was for our '08 GM 2500.

So I returned to O'Reilly and explained my plight to the manager. He rolled his eyes and was clearly condescending, but came out to the parking lot and tried himself. Upon seeing that I was not incompetent, he swapped them for a different brand that clicked in fine.

I wish I had taken notes that day. The manager made it right but I always wondered what happened to the NEXT guy who bought the same model wipers and couldn't click them in to his arms, despite catalog listings.

 

[VolvoZ]

J hook is my favorite.. the only issue I ever had was with some blades that wouldn't lock.. but a different brand and everything was fine again.

I’ve only had one wiper fly off at the worst possible time (during a rain/snow mix storm) with a J-hook, but fortunately the wiper ended up in the windshield cowl, so i was able to reattach it (somewhat). The plastic adapter was permanently disfigured. It was probably not fully clicked in when i installed the wiper. Lesson learned to always do a little force testing on the wiper before calling it good.

 

[dogememe]

I really don't mind the alternate kinds of wiper arms. Many of them look better than J-hooks.

 

[KevinMalone]

Never understood the reason for all of the different attachment types; I just assumed it was for better aerodynamics.

The only situation I'm aware of that might warrant it is the Valeo Aquablade

 

[KrisZ]

J-hooks can be a pita to remove sometimes, but it is a simple, yet very effective and sturdy way of attaching the wiper blades. I like the j-hook style wiper blades.

 

[Speedy3861]

In 2022 Honda abandoned the blades with replaceable inserts, new push button blades with washer jets integrated into the arms, fluid only comes out on the upstroke. Entire blade has to be replaced, usually between $35-40 a set. A giant step backwards IMHO, I suppose it's for a wiper that hides lower in the cowl for less wind resistance.

 

[redhat]

In 2022 Honda abandoned the blades with replaceable inserts, new push button blades with washer jets integrated into the arms, fluid only comes out on the upstroke. Entire blade has to be replaced, usually between $35-40 a set. A giant step backwards IMHO, I suppose it's for a wiper that hides lower in the cowl for less wind resistance.

What a bad move jeez

 

[redhat]

Got wiper arms on order off of rock auto for $20 a piece. Same arm as a Silverado. They’ll be here Friday and I’ll report back.

 

[97prizm]

In 2022 Honda abandoned the blades with replaceable inserts, new push button blades with washer jets integrated into the arms, fluid only comes out on the upstroke. Entire blade has to be replaced, usually between $35-40 a set. A giant step backwards IMHO, I suppose it's for a wiper that hides lower in the cowl for less wind resistance.

I have the washer jets like that on my cavalier. This is the dumbest design ever. Add that Chevrolet made the washer fluid hoses on the arm some odd not available over the counter size. Only my drivers side works can't figure out why the passenger side doesn't.