Wiper blade no contact conundrum....

[Pablo]

On my Volvo 850 the top driver's side (left) wiper blade doesn't make contact with the WS the full "top of the stroke", just at the lower, smaller portion of the arc. It used to come to about 2" from the pillar with full wiping contact, now it's more like 8" at the top - and a bit dangerous IMHO . A little difficult to explain I guess - the arm travels as far as it used to, but it just doesn't make contact the last 6" or so at the top - it's several mm+ away from the surface.

First thing I did was inspect the arm and change blades. I saw nothing unusual and the new blade did not help in the least. So unless the WS suddenly changed shape - I'm clueless as to the cause and fix.

Ideas???

 

[TallPaul]

Well, you could bend the arm until it contacts the glass all the time, but that may be a last resort measure. Worked for my Aerostar back window, but that was after the garage door opener caught it and bent it out. Yours never got bent in the first place so not sure what's going on.

 

[mrsilv04]

Are you sure you're using the correct size of blade on that arm?

Also, some cars use one size of blade on the driver side, and a different size on the passenger side.

 

[Nyquist]

It's possible that the spring in the wiper arm is fatigued or there is corrosion on the arm joint that prevents it from bending fully. I've seen this a lot. Try carefully spraying some WD-40 or other lubricant in that category into the wiper arm joints to see if you can get it flexing easier first. If that doesn't work, the wiper arm may need replacing due to tired springs.

One of my co-workers has a Nissan SUV that had a similar problem on the back window. Some quick shots of WD-40 and working the joint back and forth took care of it.

 

[eljefino]

Wiper arms come off very easily, this will give the hinge more range-of-motion as you lube it up.

Also consider aerodynamics lifting the blade at speed, but again that doesn't explain the sudden onset. Happens more with those rubberized "winter" blades.

 

[moribundman]

Pablo, your windshield got bent!

 

[kingrob]

I second the worn out spring. If a pen lube doesn't help, it's time to get a new arm or two.

 

[Ryan]

I third the spring. If that spring doesn't work the way it should, it won't do squat to removing water.

 

[mechtech2]

Probably the cooler weather . The rubber is less flexible.

 

[Pablo]

I lubed the dink out of the thing and dicked with it some more. Actually it was over 60°F here today.

Next rain it will be evaluated.

 

[sciphi]

They do sell "helper" springs for $14 shipped. SureWipe is what they are called. Might be worth a shot before getting new arms.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
SureWipe is what they are called. Might be worth a shot before getting new arms.


Reading this out of context is just weird.

 

[Papa Bear]

"Next rain it will be evaluated."

You don't own a garden hose ??...

 

[Colt45ws]

Well, where he is, I doubt he will have to wait long.
Why go through the effort.

 

[kingrob]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: sciphi
SureWipe is what they are called. Might be worth a shot before getting new arms.


Reading this out of context is just weird.


Very strange indeed!

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: sciphi
SureWipe is what they are called. Might be worth a shot before getting new arms.


Reading this out of context is just weird.


My first thought was to patent that thing!

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Papa Bear
"Next rain it will be evaluated."

You don't own a garden hose ??...

Odd thing is, our water is VERY expensive here. I will be able to use the wipers this am for the misty dew.

 

[ARB1977]

I replace the whole arm and blade every year...pretty cheap insurance for my familys safety.

 

[Jaykim81]

What year is your 850? I know that Volvo came out with a revised arm for the driver's side wiper. The lower wiper arm is made from cast aluminum and would eventually bend away from the windshield causing less contact with the glass. There is a temporary fix by pressing down on the lower wiper arm but you risk breaking the aluminum. The best way is to bend the steel part of the arm closer to the wiper blade closer to the glass.

The revised arm doesn't cost that much at the dealership. I had a 1993 Volvo 850 5-speed and that was one of the problems with that car. It is fairly common.

 

[Pablo]

It's a 1996. That's some great information. I'll just get a new left wiper arm. They are the same 94-97. What? Around $50??

Thanks!