Remove wiper blades between trips?

belfert · May 28, 2018, 04:50:34 PM

My wiper blades need replacement every fall when I make my one big trip for the year. Would I be better off removing the wiper blades and storing them inside the house to make them last longer?

I have been lucky to find complete blades for only about $1.50 each as closeouts on Rockauto.com. My last order was for four blades and came out to $3 or $4 per blade. They are normally over $20 each! They seem to work fine even as old stock.

chessie4905 · May 28, 2018, 04:53:34 PM

I think at 10 bucks a year, just replace them. Not worth the bother taking them on and off. Then it'll be...where did I put them....along side the steering wheel nut.

Iceni John · May 28, 2018, 05:07:46 PM

My Sprague wiper arms have little holes near their pivots to put a 1/8" cotter pin in, then they won't touch the glass at all. I do this all the time the bus is not being driven, and it prevents the rubber from bending over and taking a permanent set which makes them chatter and smear. Some folk in the yard where I keep my bus put the small foam pipe insulation tubes over the blades to keep the sun off; I don't do that, but my wipers are still good for many years here in the hot SoCal sun.

John

belfert · May 28, 2018, 06:48:28 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 28, 2018, 04:53:34 PM
I think at 10 bucks a year, just replace them. Not worth the bother taking them on and off. Then it'll be...where did I put them....along side the steering wheel nut.

Normal price is over $40 per year! I tried a set of refills, but they didn't fit worth a darn even though it was supposed to be the refill for that blade. They kept coming out of the blade.

windtrader · May 28, 2018, 07:40:18 PM

From a safety viewpoint, you never know when something will require the windshield to need a cleaning. Better to leave on. my 2c.

belfert · May 29, 2018, 05:33:39 AM

Quote from: windtrader on May 28, 2018, 07:40:18 PM
From a safety viewpoint, you never know when something will require the windshield to need a cleaning. Better to leave on. my 2c.

The wiper blades would only be off while in storage at my house with no liability insurance. Why would I need wiper blades while in storage?

belfert · May 29, 2018, 05:40:15 AM

How does pipe insulation stop the blades from having pressure on them that ruins the edges? I could put a small black of wood under arms to keep them off windshield.

chessie4905 · May 29, 2018, 06:55:23 AM

Looks like he uses the pipe insulation to keep sun off the fubber. Probably the correct size may also protect wiping edge. Another point about wipers...blade angle should be exactly perpendicular to glass surface at rest with no load on edge. Many times blade wiping issues are because blade not being perpindicular and when wiping, one way it chatters. Blade should flex back slightly opposite direction of movement and reverse in other direction. If it already has a twist, it'll chatter one way. You can twist the flat part of arm to correct with an adjustable wrench. Check and correct with new blades before they take a set. It'll help to put a wedge of wood to keep blade slightly off glass to check this. I 've found this to be the main cause of short lived blades. This also goes for cars and trucks with this issue. Even a couple of degrees can cause this, especially after refill material hardens with age.

luvrbus · May 29, 2018, 07:27:12 AM

I buy wiper blade 20 to 22 inches at Ryder Truck Parts for $6.94 ea sometimes with free shipping

belfert · May 29, 2018, 07:48:53 AM

My blades are heavy duty 28" blades. I am using Trico 67281 right now.

PP · May 29, 2018, 08:00:30 AM

I've been using pipe insulation for almost 10 yrs now and am still on the same blades and they worked great just the last trip. I used kids pool noodles before that, but the sun ate them up in no time. The pipe stuff lasts a few years before weathering and they're an easy to slip on and off feature. Works for me but than I'm not down in that hot, dry Arizona, Texas, Nevada sun either.
Will

luvrbus · May 29, 2018, 08:35:59 AM

Quote from: belfert on May 29, 2018, 07:48:53 AM
My blades are heavy duty 28" blades. I am using Trico 67281 right now.

Same as my MCI DL3 I bought 3 sets for a little over 10 bucks ea from Ryder,the AZ heat kills wiper blades so I change every year any ways no since in me paying for a $20.00 a blade that last about the same amount of time IMO and I don't cover mine I just buy new ones

belfert · May 29, 2018, 07:24:53 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on May 29, 2018, 08:35:59 AM
Same as my MCI DL3 I bought 3 sets for a little over 10 bucks ea from Ryder,the AZ heat kills wiper blades so I change every year any ways no since in me paying for a $20.00 a blade that last about the same amount of time IMO and I don't cover mine I just buy new ones

What heavy duty 26" or 28" blades are you getting from Ryder for $10 each? For 26" or 28" they are all over $20 that I see.

luvrbus · May 29, 2018, 07:35:43 PM

LOL where did I say heavy duty,I change mine every year as recommend why pay big bucks for a wiper blade that dosen't last any longer here in the heat than a $ 5.00 blade can you tell the difference between a regular wiper blade than a heavy duty blade?, Same with batteries I can pay 80 bucks for 1 and they last as long as a $150.00 battery here, both have a free replacement for 2 years so why spend extra money

belfert · May 30, 2018, 05:23:59 AM

I assumed I need the HD blades to fit the wiper arm properly.

I am using the 28" HD blades I got for $1.26 each at Rockauto right now. I still have another pair yet. RA still has more in stock.