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techman41973 03-23-2009 11:31 PM

Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
(2-months). I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
dealer.
Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
aftermarket?



Dave D 03-24-2009 02:09 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 

"techman41973" <techman41973@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:159c3f7f-8619-48ee-902c-d4e2c64debb0@p6g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
>I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
> (2-months). I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
> dealer.
> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
> aftermarket?


I am sure that at least five people will jump in and tell you that you MUST
use OEM blades! I don't know why because there are many good brands out
there to be had at prices far less than OEM at the dealer. That said, I
think part of your problem is cleaning them with isopropyl alcohol. IIRC
this actually has a degrading effect on the rubber in the blades. Hot water
and dishsoap with a good rinse will clean them just as well as anything. I
don't really think you will notice any significant difference in the
longevity of a quality aftermarket wiper blade and the OEM ones....

DaveD
>
>




Tegger 03-24-2009 04:47 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
techman41973 <techman41973@yahoo.com> wrote in news:159c3f7f-8619-48ee-
902c-d4e2c64debb0@p6g2000pre.googlegroups.com:

> I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
> (2-months).




There's a very good possibility of that. It's happened to me more than
once.



> I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
> dealer.




Five dollars is pricey?

However, if you've discarded the metal wiper blades themselves, then yes,
OEM is expensive (~$40 per side). But only the first time. After that it's
five dollars per side for the rubber refill.



> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
> aftermarket?
>




OEM lasts longer and works better (six months to a year). In my humble
opinion, which is based on 18 years of trying everything out there and
eventually going back to the five dollar OEMs.





--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

daveed 03-24-2009 06:00 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Tegger wrote:
> techman41973 <techman41973@yahoo.com> wrote in news:159c3f7f-8619-48ee-
> 902c-d4e2c64debb0@p6g2000pre.googlegroups.com:
>
>> I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
>> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
>> (2-months).

>
>
>
> There's a very good possibility of that. It's happened to me more than
> once.
>
>
>
>> I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
>> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
>> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
>> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
>> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
>> dealer.

>
>
>
> Five dollars is pricey?
>
> However, if you've discarded the metal wiper blades themselves, then yes,
> OEM is expensive (~$40 per side). But only the first time. After that it's
> five dollars per side for the rubber refill.
>
>
>
>> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
>> aftermarket?
>>

>
>
>
> OEM lasts longer and works better (six months to a year). In my humble
> opinion, which is based on 18 years of trying everything out there and
> eventually going back to the five dollar OEMs.
>
>
>
>
>

We had this discussion about a week ago and Tegger you called the price
at $5. I stopped by the Honda dealer in Manassas. Retail for both
sides were $13. That seemed to be pricey. Maybe you get a special
rate, but I don't.

Daveed

Eternal Searcher 03-24-2009 06:34 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
techman41973 wrote:

> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
> aftermarket?


I certainly have. Not only in longevity, but in how well they work.

Stick with the OEM blades, and replace just the rubbers when necessary.

Ricky Bobby 03-24-2009 07:07 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
"techman41973" <techman41973@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:159c3f7f-8619-48ee-902c-d4e2c64debb0@p6g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
>I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
> (2-months). I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
> dealer.
> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
> aftermarket?
>
>


Consumer Reports recently rated wipers/blades and found little relationship
between price/quality-- but did recommend three or four models. They found
that all of them had deteriorated a good bit after 6 months and after a
year, all needed replacement.



Dave Kelsen 03-24-2009 07:10 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On 3/24/2009 3:47 AM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:

> techman41973 <techman41973@yahoo.com> wrote in news:159c3f7f-8619-48ee-
> 902c-d4e2c64debb0@p6g2000pre.googlegroups.com:
>
>> I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
>> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
>> (2-months).

>
>
>
> There's a very good possibility of that. It's happened to me more than
> once.
>
>
>
>> I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
>> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
>> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
>> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
>> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
>> dealer.

>
>
>
> Five dollars is pricey?
>
> However, if you've discarded the metal wiper blades themselves, then yes,
> OEM is expensive (~$40 per side). But only the first time. After that it's
> five dollars per side for the rubber refill.


Dave is right about the cost; $14 each at my dealer. The cheapest Amco
wiper refills at Wal-Mart are $5 for the 18" side, $6 for the 26" side.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams come true. Unless it's
really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life.
Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's
death by meteor.

Tegger 03-24-2009 04:28 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
daveed <daveed@somewhere.net> wrote in news:gqaaup$oa4$1@aioe.org:


>>
>>

> We had this discussion about a week ago and Tegger you called the
> price at $5. I stopped by the Honda dealer in Manassas. Retail for
> both sides were $13. That seemed to be pricey. Maybe you get a
> special rate, but I don't.




Noted, thanks.

Maybe your wipers are longer and more expensive than mine. Mine are just a
bit over $5 each, no discount.

I still think $13 is pretty good for OEM quality versus aftermarket
quality. When people complain about their wipers, they're almost always
using aftermarket.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Tegger 03-24-2009 04:37 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in
news:49c8bf92$0$4897$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com:


>
> Dave is right about the cost; $14 each at my dealer. The cheapest
> Amco wiper refills at Wal-Mart are $5 for the 18" side, $6 for the 26"
> side.





OK, $14 each, then. I stand corrected. But mine are $5 each. My last
invoice (with 10% discount because I spend so much there) shows $4.95 each.

Still, I've had way too much annoying trouble with aftermarket over the
years, mostly smearing and squeaking. That's the reason I stopped (in
disgust) using aftermarket and went back to OEM. Best decision I ever made.

If aftermarket is working for you, go for it. Too often they did NOT work
for me. Of if they did, it was only briefly before the streak & squeak came
back.

In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
performance.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Dave Kelsen 03-24-2009 06:57 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On 3/24/2009 3:37 PM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:

> Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in
> news:49c8bf92$0$4897$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com:
>
>
>>
>> Dave is right about the cost; $14 each at my dealer. The cheapest
>> Amco wiper refills at Wal-Mart are $5 for the 18" side, $6 for the 26"
>> side.

>
>
>
>
> OK, $14 each, then. I stand corrected. But mine are $5 each. My last
> invoice (with 10% discount because I spend so much there) shows $4.95 each.
>
> Still, I've had way too much annoying trouble with aftermarket over the
> years, mostly smearing and squeaking. That's the reason I stopped (in
> disgust) using aftermarket and went back to OEM. Best decision I ever made.
>
> If aftermarket is working for you, go for it. Too often they did NOT work
> for me. Of if they did, it was only briefly before the streak & squeak came
> back.
>
> In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
> performance.


Of course they should, but I change mine (as most folks, I imagine) when
they bug me enough to do so. Probably once a year, or so. But I agree
about when they *should* be changed. ;^)

RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit
it. I myself deny it.

Tegger 03-24-2009 07:17 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in
news:49c9655f$0$4944$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com:

> On 3/24/2009 3:37 PM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:
>
>> Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote in
>> news:49c8bf92$0$4897$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshostin g.com:
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Dave is right about the cost; $14 each at my dealer. The cheapest
>>> Amco wiper refills at Wal-Mart are $5 for the 18" side, $6 for the
>>> 26" side.

>>
>>
>>
>>
>> OK, $14 each, then. I stand corrected. But mine are $5 each. My last
>> invoice (with 10% discount because I spend so much there) shows $4.95
>> each.
>>
>> Still, I've had way too much annoying trouble with aftermarket over
>> the years, mostly smearing and squeaking. That's the reason I stopped
>> (in disgust) using aftermarket and went back to OEM. Best decision I
>> ever made.
>>
>> If aftermarket is working for you, go for it. Too often they did NOT
>> work for me. Of if they did, it was only briefly before the streak &
>> squeak came back.
>>
>> In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
>> performance.

>
> Of course they should, but I change mine (as most folks, I imagine)
> when they bug me enough to do so. Probably once a year, or so.




Most people I've seen change their wipers whenever the rubbers start
peeling into CheeseStrings, or whenever they can't see out the
windshield anymore, whichever comes last. Two, three years, maybe more.



> But I agree about when they *should* be changed. ;^)





An update here, regarding my boss's '03 CR-V.

He went to some Jelly Lube quick-change place yesterday for an engine
oil swap. The monkeys there badgered him into replacing his wipers with
new ones (from them, of course). This he allowed, just to get them off
his back (monkey on his back, ha ha). He did not actually use the wipers
until this morning. He tells me that the first time he turned the wipers
on they were getting tangled up in themselves during their sweep, so he
got a pair of cutters and snipped off the end of one of the wipers,
after which the assembly flew apart when next used.

Of course, Jelly Lube's lower primates did not give my boss back his
expensive OEM wiper blades, so there's no ready fallback.

Gonna look at this myself tomorrow and see what's precisely wrong.

I LOVE AFTERMARKET!


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

johngdole@hotmail.com 03-24-2009 09:11 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Both are about once a year deals for me. But I was able to get refills
(rubbers only, natural rubber) for about $5 each with coupon. Without
coupon? Then it's a little known WalMart brand (not Anco, Trico, etc)
IIRC ~$3-4 each (natural rubber). Nitrile rubber ones stink.



On Mar 23, 8:31 pm, techman41973 <techman41...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
> (2-months). I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
> dealer.
> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
> aftermarket?



Dan C 03-24-2009 09:16 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:37:47 +0000, Tegger wrote:

> In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
> performance.


To be technical, they should be changed *daily* for truly *optimum*
performance.


--
"Ubuntu" -- an African word, meaning "Slackware is too hard for me".
Need help?: http://brandybuck.site40.net/pics/ubuntu.jpg
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://improve-usenet.org
Ahhhhhhhh!: http://brandybuck.site40.net/pics/relieve.jpg

Tegger 03-24-2009 09:21 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Dan C <youmustbejoking@lan.invalid> wrote in news:pan.2009.03.25.01.17.30
@moria.lan:

> On Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:37:47 +0000, Tegger wrote:
>
>> In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
>> performance.

>
> To be technical, they should be changed *daily* for truly *optimum*
> performance.
>
>




I can be even sillier: Change them every sweep. ;^)


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

E. Meyer 03-24-2009 10:06 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On 3/24/09 3:28 PM, in article Xns9BD8A78C9CA88tegger@208.90.168.18,
"Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:

> daveed <daveed@somewhere.net> wrote in news:gqaaup$oa4$1@aioe.org:
>
>
>>>
>>>

>> We had this discussion about a week ago and Tegger you called the
>> price at $5. I stopped by the Honda dealer in Manassas. Retail for
>> both sides were $13. That seemed to be pricey. Maybe you get a
>> special rate, but I don't.

>
>
>
> Noted, thanks.
>
> Maybe your wipers are longer and more expensive than mine. Mine are just a
> bit over $5 each, no discount.
>
> I still think $13 is pretty good for OEM quality versus aftermarket
> quality. When people complain about their wipers, they're almost always
> using aftermarket.


Last time I needed wipers for the '06 CR-V I got the rubbers from Majestic
Honda (along with some other stuff) for $3.22 each. If the local dealer is
price gouging, the internet is your friend.


jim beam 03-24-2009 10:38 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
E. Meyer wrote:
> On 3/24/09 3:28 PM, in article Xns9BD8A78C9CA88tegger@208.90.168.18,
> "Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote:
>
>> daveed <daveed@somewhere.net> wrote in news:gqaaup$oa4$1@aioe.org:
>>
>>
>>>>
>>> We had this discussion about a week ago and Tegger you called the
>>> price at $5. I stopped by the Honda dealer in Manassas. Retail for
>>> both sides were $13. That seemed to be pricey. Maybe you get a
>>> special rate, but I don't.

>>
>>
>> Noted, thanks.
>>
>> Maybe your wipers are longer and more expensive than mine. Mine are just a
>> bit over $5 each, no discount.
>>
>> I still think $13 is pretty good for OEM quality versus aftermarket
>> quality. When people complain about their wipers, they're almost always
>> using aftermarket.

>
> Last time I needed wipers for the '06 CR-V I got the rubbers from Majestic
> Honda (along with some other stuff) for $3.22 each. If the local dealer is
> price gouging, the internet is your friend.
>


no .

Joe 03-24-2009 11:29 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On 2009-03-24, Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> On 3/24/2009 3:37 PM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:
>
> Of course they should, but I change mine (as most folks, I imagine) when
> they bug me enough to do so. Probably once a year, or so. But I agree
> about when they *should* be changed. ;^)


Wiper blades on the new model Hondas cost about $50 for the pair. I
change them no sooner than they absolutely need it... ;-)


--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X

jim beam 03-24-2009 11:34 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Joe wrote:
> On 2009-03-24, Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>> On 3/24/2009 3:37 PM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:
>>
>> Of course they should, but I change mine (as most folks, I imagine) when
>> they bug me enough to do so. Probably once a year, or so. But I agree
>> about when they *should* be changed. ;^)

>
> Wiper blades on the new model Hondas cost about $50 for the pair. I
> change them no sooner than they absolutely need it... ;-)
>
>


majestic honda has wiper rubbers for the 2009 accord listed at $3.22.
that's $6.44 the pair. shipping extra.

Greg Campbell 03-24-2009 11:59 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
techman41973 wrote:

> I have a Honda Accord nearing 300K. It could be that my winshield has
> too many small pitts that make my windshield wipers wear out quickly
> (2-months). I clean them once a month with rubbing alcohol and polish
> my winshield with newspaper every 2-weeks or so.
> I have always used aftermarket blades. But I see no difference in
> longevity between the more expensive and cheaper brands/models.
> I thought about trying the OEM blades, but they are pricey at the
> dealer.
> Has anyone noticed any longevity differences in Honda OEM blades vs.
> aftermarket?



These threads don't address the "OEM vs" issue, but do offer some
information on specific brands, and their effectiveness and longevity.

http://stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8371
http://stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11141
http://stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2924
http://stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14834


Joe 03-25-2009 12:47 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On 2009-03-25, jim beam <retard-finger@bad.example.net> wrote:
> Joe wrote:
>> On 2009-03-24, Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>> On 3/24/2009 3:37 PM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:
>>>
>>> Of course they should, but I change mine (as most folks, I imagine) when
>>> they bug me enough to do so. Probably once a year, or so. But I agree
>>> about when they *should* be changed. ;^)

>>
>> Wiper blades on the new model Hondas cost about $50 for the pair. I
>> change them no sooner than they absolutely need it... ;-)
>>
>>

>
> majestic honda has wiper rubbers for the 2009 accord listed at $3.22.
> that's $6.44 the pair. shipping extra.


2006 Civic Si, Passenger Blade 25.62, Driver is not listed for some
reason, but being the longer of the two, and with my experience, a
couple bucks more...

The local dealers did not "carry" the refill blades, just the
assembly, and I needed the assembly anyhow, as the stupid clips don't
last a damn on these things. The passenger blade clip broke after a
year.

Of course, Majestic sells THAT, too... ;-)

I ended up buying Trico's that have lasted almost 2 years now, but are
just starting to streak, so are slated for replacement...


--
Joe - Linux User #449481/Ubuntu User #19733
joe at hits - buffalo dot com
"Hate is baggage, life is too short to go around pissed off all the
time..." - Danny, American History X

rick++ 03-25-2009 09:21 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Windshields a relative commodity now and sometimes
you can get them for under two hundred.
I might consider a replacement of a pitted and scratched
on a younger considering the hours I spend looking
through one. Its like when I get a new pair of eyeglasses
(which approach the price of windshields)- a fresh
pair without scratches is like heaven.

E. Meyer 03-25-2009 11:09 AM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 



On 3/24/09 11:47 PM, in article slrngsjdqu.aid.joe@barada.griffincs.local,
"Joe" <joe@no_spam.hits-nospam-buffalo.com> wrote:

> On 2009-03-25, jim beam <retard-finger@bad.example.net> wrote:
>> Joe wrote:
>>> On 2009-03-24, Dave Kelsen <invalid@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>>>> On 3/24/2009 3:37 PM Tegger spake these words of knowledge:
>>>>
>>>> Of course they should, but I change mine (as most folks, I imagine) when
>>>> they bug me enough to do so. Probably once a year, or so. But I agree
>>>> about when they *should* be changed. ;^)
>>>
>>> Wiper blades on the new model Hondas cost about $50 for the pair. I
>>> change them no sooner than they absolutely need it... ;-)
>>>
>>>

>>
>> majestic honda has wiper rubbers for the 2009 accord listed at $3.22.
>> that's $6.44 the pair. shipping extra.

>
> 2006 Civic Si, Passenger Blade 25.62, Driver is not listed for some
> reason, but being the longer of the two, and with my experience, a
> couple bucks more...
>
> The local dealers did not "carry" the refill blades, just the
> assembly, and I needed the assembly anyhow, as the stupid clips don't
> last a damn on these things. The passenger blade clip broke after a
> year.
>
> Of course, Majestic sells THAT, too... ;-)
>
> I ended up buying Trico's that have lasted almost 2 years now, but are
> just starting to streak, so are slated for replacement...
>


Look again - the refill rubber is $3.22. If by "clip" you mean the end
caps, they are $2.30. If by "clip" you mean the center "element" that holds
the blade to the arm, that's $1.61.

The $25.62 is "suggested retail" for the whole blade assembly (they sell it
for $17.93). It is sort of strange that they left off the price for the
driver side blade assembly, especially since its identified in the diagram.

I have become totally disillusioned with the local dealers (there are
three). They all have their parts jacked up to about 3X retail and as you
say, tend to not carry the cheaper essentials like wiper blade fillers at
all. If it weren't for places like Majestic on the net, we'd never know
what the price of some of these things is supposed to be.


k1e1v1i1n 03-25-2009 02:24 PM

i just use whatever blades i stumble across first

Grumpy AuContraire 03-25-2009 11:34 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 


Tegger wrote:


snip


> Most people I've seen change their wipers whenever the rubbers start
> peeling into CheeseStrings, or whenever they can't see out the
> windshield anymore, whichever comes last. Two, three years, maybe more.
>



You bin spyin' on me pal???

Actually, I get two to three years out of a pair of refills.

1. I use Rain-X which often results in the wipers not being turned on.

2. Texas is notorious for lengthy droughts.

JT

(Who ain't cheap but frugal!)



Tegger 03-26-2009 08:52 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in
news:Xns9BD8C43B81898tegger@208.90.168.18:


>
>
> An update here, regarding my boss's '03 CR-V.
>
> He went to some Jelly Lube quick-change place yesterday for an engine
> oil swap. The monkeys there badgered him into replacing his wipers
> with new ones (from them, of course). This he allowed, just to get
> them off his back (monkey on his back, ha ha). He did not actually use
> the wipers until this morning. He tells me that the first time he
> turned the wipers on they were getting tangled up in themselves during
> their sweep, so he got a pair of cutters and snipped off the end of
> one of the wipers, after which the assembly flew apart when next used.
>
> Of course, Jelly Lube's lower primates did not give my boss back his
> expensive OEM wiper blades, so there's no ready fallback.
>
> Gonna look at this myself tomorrow and see what's precisely wrong.
>
> I LOVE AFTERMARKET!
>
>




Fixed the problem today.

Here's the setup I found:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/cr-v_bad-wipers.jpg

Turns out the Jelly Lube place installed the wrong lengths of wiper blades
(from 2 different brands). In a way, this was fortuitous, since it flushed
out another problem.

The glass place that replaced the windshield a couple of years ago somehow
managed to swap the arms left for right (so they were on the wrong sides).
This did not become obvious until the blades were replaced with the Jelly
Lube ones I saw today. The original OEM blades appear to have had just
enough clearance that they didn't foul on each other during their sweep.

Not only all that, but both wiper arm nuts were only slightly more than
finger-tight, so there had been some slippage of the arms on their
spindles. The spindle splines were partially flattened and smeared. How the
wipers didn't eventually get turned around 180 degrees I don't know.

I put the arms on the correct sides, replaced the blades with new OEM ($25
each; includes the rubber), and tightened the nuts properly. My boss tells
me he can't remember ever before having wipers that worked so well.

Aftermarket parts + incompetent servicing = disaster.

And finally, the parts guy at the local Honda dealership says he has no
wiper refills that cost any more than $6. Where you guys are getting $14
refills from is a mystery to me.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Tony Harding 03-27-2009 09:04 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
Dan C wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:37:47 +0000, Tegger wrote:
>
>> In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
>> performance.

>
> To be technical, they should be changed *daily* for truly *optimum*
> performance.


Whether it rains or not, goddammit! :)

Dan C 03-27-2009 09:09 PM

Re: Honda OEM wiper blades, any better than aftermarket?
 
On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:04:34 -0400, Tony Harding wrote:

> Dan C wrote:
>> On Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:37:47 +0000, Tegger wrote:
>>
>>> In any case, wiper rubbers should be changed twice a year for optimum
>>> performance.

>>
>> To be technical, they should be changed *daily* for truly *optimum*
>> performance.

>
> Whether it rains or not, goddammit! :)


Well, yeah. Strong sunlight is quite damaging to the rubber.


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