Should I use car wiper blades for a bus?

[belfert]

I need a new wiper blade for my bus.  I bought a 26" one at a local store, but it is the same as the smaller automobile ones.

My current wiper blade has a wider refill and is twice the weight of the car wiper blade I just bought.  Should I be going to truck parts place to get a wiper blade instead of buying a car part?  I noticed MCI lists their wiper blades as HD on their parts site.  Will I have problems with the lighter and less robust wiper blade.

I don't need a blade today and can wait until the truck parts places open on Monday.

[superpickle]

I would expect the lighter blade to be Smushed by the heavier Springs on the Bus arm.. I doubt it will stand up for very long.
Those new Teflon triple blades are very nice, if they have them for your size... supposedly they last a Very long time.

Paul...

[belfert]

That is kinda what I was thinking after I noticed how lightweight the new wiper blade I bought is.

[Barn Owl]

I get mine at NAPA. Just take your old one and they will match it.

[belfert]

I get mine at NAPA. Just take your old one and they will match it.

Do some Napa stores have more truck parts than others?  Every time I walk into any of the local Napa stores they just look at me funny any time I ask about heavy truck parts.

[Barn Owl]

The NAPA here in Roanoke has four of everything, doesn't matter if it's for a car, bus, farm tractor, or antique car etc. They never cease to amaze me. (Not sure about aircraft parts, haven't had a need to ask). They stock more for my two-stroke than our local Detroit Diesel dealer does. And the best part, if by some unusual chance they don't have it, they can get it by noon the next day and not charge shipping for it. We do have one that is larger than those Mom and Pop stores that you see in the smaller towns. Doesn't matter, even those should be able to get you what you want if you can wait a day.

One thing about NAPA, the retail price is on the high side at times so it is worth it to ask for a mechanics discount. If they will let you, and depending on whose account they put you under, your savings can be substantial. Even if you are stuck with the retail price it is usually worth it, because their quality is good, and they have always stood behind their products when I have had problems.

The wiper blades you have are not anything special; they are standard heavy duty wipers that you should find just about anywhere, truck stops, NAPA, truck dealers etc. I bought a pair last fall and paid ~$9 each for the refill blades.

[Ncbob]

This topic came up a week or so ago when Jack Conrad, Dallas, Uncle Ned and I were commiserating about buses and parts suppliers. I'd bought some wiper refills ofor a large truck from NAPA on FL last winter and they didn't seem to be doing well under the constant pressure from the arms....the were being forced flat against the windshield and I was concerned that when I might need them they might scratch my new windshields.

Jack told me that he found it more practical to order replacements from MCI and that they weren't out of reason as far as the price.  Too I've noticed the seasoned RV owners use tennis balls between the arms and the windshield when parked o take the pressure off the blades.

Made sense to me...I'm planning on ordering new bladed and will have to see if the neighbor's dog will part with a couple of his play toys.

NCbob

[DrivingMissLazy]

Too I've noticed the seasoned RV owners use tennis balls between the arms and the windshield when parked o take the pressure off the blades.
NCbob

After losing a couple of tennis balls, I Fastened a short piece of heavy fishing line to the balls with a screw and then tied the line to the wiper arm. Then anytime I had to turn the wipers on, the balls did not get lost.

Richard

[Ncbob]

Dagnabit Richard...you've got more tips for a greenhorn that the mind can cope with!  You ought to publish these tidbits or if you have...I've sure missed 'em!

Thanks,

Bob

[DrivingMissLazy]

Dagnabit Richard...you've got more tips for a greenhorn that the mind can cope with!  You ought to publish these tidbits or if you have...I've sure missed 'em!

Thanks,

Bob

Thanks Bob, I Just have been at it a loooooong time. I bought my first camping rig over 40 years ago. I lost my Eagle conversion a few years ago to a fire but I still have a travel trailer but really do not use it much.
Richard