Why are there so many wiper arm connection types?

[JoeDirt41]

I work at an auto parts store, so I encounter this probably a bit more than everyone else, but WHY does there need to be SO MANY different types of wiper arm connectors? What was wrong with the simple 9x3 hooks? And they keep coming out with new ones. This just seems so unnecessary and its not improving anything. What is the reason for doing this?

I can tell you now we don't carry any wipers that fit newer Subarus because the newer Subaru connector is totally different than what is shown below, and some Mazdas are now using a different connector as well.

Every time a customer buys wipers I've got to figure out a 20 piece puzzle to decipher which is the right combination of clips and pieces to attach that particular blade to that particular car.

FWIW, if you are buying wipers and you've got anything other than 9x3 hooks, the Rain-Xs are the biggest PITA to put on. Tricos are the easiest to install, but they fit the fewest number of vehicles. Boschs are usually pretty easy, but watch if you need the OE-designation ones. I've had the computer list the OE-ones, and actually wind up being wrong.

 

[JoelB]

Industries don't usually standardize themselves.

 

[rijndael]

It's no different than headlights or brake pads. Everyone does their own thing.

 

[FT92]

I think it's all coming down to the car industry doesn't want anyone working on their own cars ..any repairs etc. including wipers will be done only at a dealer, yep putting more parts stores out of business, there used to be several mom-and-pop parts stores in my area all closed now, next come the chain stores, a slow process but it's happening

 

[rijndael]

yep putting more parts stores out of business, there used to be several mom-and-pop parts stores in my area all closed now, next come the chain stores, a slow process but it's happening

That's just the state of retail in 2025, everyone buys stuff online and margins are razor thin.

If I'm not ordering it from Rock Auto, it's an online dealer offering wholesale pricing.

 

[fantastic]

Different types may pair better for OEM's vehicles for cost etc. There's more than one way to do the same thing. I can imagine one wrong type causing a whistle going down the road.

 

[John Galt]

Huge Patent infringement settlements (or fear of invoking a lawsuit) likely led to this. Unless there is a mutual benefit for standardization (example -Ethernet ports and connectors) why should the company not patent their design Oil, air and cabin filters as an example, do we really need all various sizes?

 

[userfriendly]

Same goes for wheel bolt patterns. There must be more than 100.
Why would a manufacturer change their bolt pattern, sometimes only by a few MMs every few years?
Take Colorado and Canyons for example, after 15 years and 3 tries, there’re right where they should have started out with.

 

[gfh77665]

When I go in for my lifetime $15.99 oil change at the Ford dealership, they seem to always "find" that I need wiper blades, cabin filter and tires. My tires have at least 50% tread and I already have one brand new wiper blade installed. (I install them one side at a time just when they really need it to cut down costs.)

 

[gfh77665]

Same goes for wheel bolt patterns. There must be more than 100.
Why would a manufacturer change their bolt pattern, sometimes only by a few MMs every few years?
Take Colorado and Canyons for example, after 15 years and 3 tries, there’re right where they should have started out with.

Good thing about that is that wheels are usually never changed out, unlike wiper blades.

 

[userfriendly]

Good thing about that is that wheels are usually never changed out, unlike wiper blades.

Yeah, but it’s a pita when you want to buy an extra set of wheels and there’s 6 different sizes with 3 different bolt patterns.
I think auto manufacturers change things just for the sake of changing things.

 

[AZjeff]

I think auto manufacturers change things just for the sake of changing things.

That goes totally against the BITOG rail that bean counters are to blame for everything that doesn't make sense or seems cheaper.

I can't recall a domestic or import vehicle I've owned in the past 20 years that didn't take the 9x3 hook connector.

 

[JoeDirt41]

I can't recall a domestic or import vehicle I've owned in the past 20 years that didn't take the 9x3 hook connector.

The 9x3 hooks are still the most common connector, and as close to a standard as we could've asked for.

But more and more, domestic and import cars are using all different types of arm connectors.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Standards make our lives easy. I've often wondered, why there are so many different oil filters? Honda seems to be the best in this regard.

From a Mfg standpoint, option complexity is a cost nightmare. Back in the 60's, some GM Bills of Material had close to a million possible parts. Insanity.

 

[D60]

There was another thread just like this and I'm still tempted to just get old donor arms and weld/section them on to these stupid new styles.

Even our '08 GMT900 uses GM's stupid squeeze connector.

I hope the aftermarket steps up and starts offering arms with the more-universal hook arms. Wipers are a huge money grab anyway.

 

[D60]

I noticed this '91 Toy seems to employ bolt-on hook adapters. Something like this could be a GREAT way to convert modern arms with proprietary designs!!

 

[JoeDirt41]

I hope the aftermarket steps up and starts offering arms with the more-universal hook arms. Wipers are a huge money grab anyway.

I think the more likely solution is that we're gonna wind up with multiple versions of the same blade but with different adapters made to fit different arms. The aftermarket has done a pretty good job of making connectors and adapters that adapt to all these different arms, but even Bosch now has two different variants for their wipers. For example, they have Icons that come in a 24A and a 24OE. Same blade, but each made to fit different style arms. If this trend of constantly adding new wiper arm designs continues, we'll probably wind up with a 24A, a 24B, a 24C, etc, etc. Same blades with all different connectors.

 

[CheezWhiz]

Because the USB people need some competition.

 

[97prizm]

I work at an auto parts store, so I encounter this probably a bit more than everyone else, but WHY does there need to be SO MANY different types of wiper arm connectors? What was wrong with the simple 9x3 hooks? And they keep coming out with new ones. This just seems so unnecessary and its not improving anything. What is the reason for doing this?

I can tell you now we don't carry any wipers that fit newer Subarus because the newer Subaru connector is totally different than what is shown below, and some Mazdas are now using a different connector as well.
View attachment 259100
Every time a customer buys wipers I've got to figure out a 20 piece puzzle to decipher which is the right combination of clips and pieces to attach that particular blade to that particular car.

FWIW, if you are buying wipers and you've got anything other than 9x3 hooks, the Rain-Xs are the biggest PITA to put on. Tricos are the easiest to install, but they fit the fewest number of vehicles. Boschs are usually pretty easy, but watch if you need the OE-designation ones. I've had the computer list the OE-ones, and actually wind up being wrong.

It's like this with gas cap designs. I worked as an emissions Inspector for a while and I think there were 10 different gas cap testers. Why does every automotive manufacturer try to reinvent the gas cap? Ford has a capless design where the filler door seals against the opening.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I think the more likely solution is that we're gonna wind up with multiple versions of the same blade but with different adapters made to fit different arms. The aftermarket has done a pretty good job of making connectors and adapters that adapt to all these different arms, but even Bosch now has two different variants for their wipers. For example, they have Icons that come in a 24A and a 24OE. Same blade, but each made to fit different style arms. If this trend of constantly adding new wiper arm designs continues, we'll probably wind up with a 24A, a 24B, a 24C, etc, etc. Same blades with all different connectors.

Just think of the cost savings if there was 1 connecter type.
And guess who is paying for all these adapters that most of end up in the trash?