Squeaky Wipers? I finally found the fix.

[MorganMcCann]

Recently the wipers on my truck started jumping and squeaking. Noise like that drives me crazy. The wipers aren't even a year old yet, so I knew they weren't bad.
I googled how to stop the squeak, and half of the results told me to put wd 40 on the wipers...
That just sounds insane.

I ran a piece of 300 grit sandpaper over the blades a few times, after that they were like brand new.

I don't know if this is common information that I just never saw, or if no one ever does it, but it works great!

I hope I've helped someone.

 

[Mark_88]

You helped me...I was ready to sand my windshield...but at least I have the right tools to fix my wipers!

I've heard of sanding the blades before, but I've never actually tried it...

 

[twb4525]

using sandpaper helps a lot. it takes off the hardened rubber and leaves you with a new edge.

 

[MorganMcCann]

I did them when they were wet, but I doubt that'd make much of a difference.

 

[scotts90ranger]

This only works a couple times... I tried scotch brite on mine a few times and after a while they didn't work well at all, edge was too round instead of square

 

[brokemechanic3000]

You guys do know that windshield wipers are supposed to be replaced every six months right?
At least that is what the industry states as the life span of a wiper blade.
The best thing I have found to make them last as long as possible is to use the free washer fluid at gas stations with a paper towel and run the soaked towel the length of the blades at each fill up.

 

[MorganMcCann]

You guys do know that windshield wipers are supposed to be replaced every six months right?
At least that is what the industry states as the life span of a wiper blade.
The best thing I have found to make them last as long as possible is to use the free washer fluid at gas stations with a paper towel and run the soaked towel the length of the blades at each fill up.

Even the flex blade ones?
That are like 15-20$ per blade?

 

[brokemechanic3000]

Yes, but nobody ever changes wiper blades until they break.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

I may have a better solution. Look at your wipers from the side and make sure they are parallel to the windshield and not slanted to one side. Adjust with 2 crescent wrenches if needed.

I have been doing this for the last 2 yeas along with a routine cleaning of the rubber and have eliminated wiper chatter and squeak on both my vehicles.

 

[MorganMcCann]

I may have a better solution. Look at your wipers from the side and make sure they are parallel to the windshield and not slanted to one side. Adjust with 2 crescent wrenches if needed.

I have been doing this for the last 2 yeas along with a routine cleaning of the rubber and have eliminated wiper chatter and squeak on both my vehicles.

You just bent the arms?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

Yes. Twist it right at the end to make the wiper parallel. Doesn't take much of an adjustment.

 

[wildbill23c]

I learned one thing with my Bronco 2, those so called exact fit expensive wiper blades are trash, $15 each and they missed more of the windshield than they cleaned. I took them back and told them they were garbage and bought a couple of the cheapest wiper blades you can get and they work awesome and I put the blades on last February and they still work just fine. Usually the sun is what destroys the blades first LOL. Never again will I waste money on those horribly expensive wiper blades.

As far as making them last longer, there used to be some company that made a product that you just slid across the wiper blade well I remember seeing one somewhere and thought what a crock of shit, all it was, was just a razor blade in a plastic block that would trim off a little bit of the blade edge making the blade "new" again. Sandpaper would do the same thing and most likely cheaper LOL.

 

[MorganMcCann]

I need to do it to my Mustang also, hopefully it works as well.