Adjusting wiper blades/insert

1666 Views 19 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Ayepace, 7 mo ago

Cornea

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

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Noticed a weird clicking nose from my driver side wiper blade. After some investigating, turned out the top part of the wiper blade is traveling off the windshield and hitting part of the A-pillar causing a click sound and micro-scratches. I had my windshield replaced with an OEM recently by the dealership after a rock chip. It hasn’t rained in Southern California in awhile, so I haven’t noticed this until today.

Also, is there suppose to be weatherstripping around the windshield that sits flush with the A pillar? There’s a rubber channel between the windshield and A pillar on my car.

Thanks!

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Ayepace

· #2 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

It is wiping too far. The wiper arm needs to be removed and reinstalled so that the resting position is lower.

I measured my left wiper. The end of the blade is about 1 inch from the bottom of the windshield at rest. If yours is higher than that, it would explain why the blade is moving too far.

My 2019 does not have that rubber piece around the glass. It is the original glass from factory installation. Someone with a 2022 car will need to confirm if this is change or if this is something with aftermarket replacement glass.

Cornea

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

Ayepace said:
It is wiping too far. The wiper arm needs to be removed and reinstalled so that the resting position is lower.

I measured my left wiper. The end of the blade is about 1 inch from the bottom of the windshield at rest. If yours is higher than that, it would explain why the blade is moving too far.

My 2019 does not have that rubber piece around the glass. It is the original glass from factory installation. Someone with a 2022 car will need to confirm if this is change or if this is something with aftermarket replacement glass.

distal end of L wiper sits about 1.5 to1.75” above the bottom edge of the windshield. Would explain my problem.

looking at the UK Forum, this anomaly has been reported and the dealership calibrated the wiper arm.

Is there instruction somewhere on how to calibrate the wiper arm to a lower position. Maybe a trip to the dealership is in order and they can also touch up my paint, too… 🤷🏻‍♂️

Ayepace

· #4 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

Open the hood, remove (pull off) the cap from the wiper arm nut, remove the 15mm nut, remove the arm, reposition it and push it back on, install the nut to 25Nm (18 ft-lbs), install the cap on the nut and close the hood. Test by activating the washer.

Removing the arm may require use of a puller tool. Sometimes they can just lift off and sometimes you just need to firmly grasp it and rock it back and forth. Under no circumstances do you want to try to pry it off by any method that would press on the windshield. You might be able to rent/borrow an arm puller from a part store if necessary.

I also suggest putting a piece of tape on the windshield at the position where the wiper should be when properly installed. This will help you position the arm properly when installing it.

While there check the position of the right arm. My blade tip is about 1.25-1.5 inches from the base of the glass.

Edit to add: be mindful of the washer tubing attached to the wiper arm because you don't want to damage it.

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Cornea

Discussion Starter · #5 · 7 mo ago

Hmmm… I want to attempt this in my garage but also worried about breaking the delicate glass. Maybe more worth it to take to the dealership? Expecting another day of rain in Southern California.

Ayepace

· #6 · 7 mo ago

Try it. Stop if the wiper arm doesn't come off by hand pulling up/rocking and put the nut and its cap back on. Take to the dealer if you wish you had a puller tool (like me

).

Cornea

Discussion Starter · #7 · 7 mo ago

Ayepace said:
Try it. Stop if the wiper arm doesn't come off by hand pulling up/rocking and put the nut and its cap back on. Take to the dealer if you wish you had a puller tool (like me ).

I tried to pull off the wiper arm. No luck. I’m heading over to your place with a cold one to borrow your puller tool. 😀

Slam08

· #8 · 7 mo ago

This is what my 22 looks like.

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there is some weather stripping but it is recessed.
There is a good two inches from where the wiper blade dust marks the blade travel to the edge of the windshield.

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Slam08

· #9 · 7 mo ago

Looking at yours more closely. I can compare other edges of the windshield later. Perhaps the weatherstripping is asymmetric on my car or yours.

Cornea said:
View attachment 7173

Cornea

Discussion Starter · #10 · 7 mo ago

Slam08 said:
This is what my 22 looks like. View attachment 7174

there is some weather stripping but it is recessed.
There is a good two inches from where the wiper blade dust marks the blade travel to the edge of the windshield.

mine is also recessed—thanks for checking!

I like how your wiper stops before the tinted edge of the windshield. Good point of reference as mine is traveling beyond that. Will stop by the local auto parts store today to get a wiper tension puller and give it a try before taking the car to the vet.

Ayepace

· #11 · 7 mo ago

Go to advanceautoparts.com and search for lisle 54150 to see the type of tool you need.

I don't have this particular tool. I have a more extensive set of pullers that fit a variety of arms.

It may help to put a few drops of penatrating oil between wiper and stud after removing the nut.

Slam08

· #12 · 7 mo ago

I agree that our weatherstripping looks the same. At first yours looked raised but I think that was bc of the light/flash. I checked around my my windshield and it’s symmetric on live.

Here where my wipers sit normally if this is helpful for reference. I don’t think I have them on the snow/ice level. That setting could also affect the wiper height. I think if you set it to winter the wipers raise up,

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Slam08

· #13 · 7 mo ago

Winter wiper park is under settings -> vehicle -> convenience -> wipers. Winter Wiper Park uses a higher parking position. I changed it back and forth but don’t see the wipers changing or notice a difference in the sweep. Maybe I need to take mine to the vet too now! 😂

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Ayepace

· #14 · 7 mo ago

Winter wiper park only parks them up higher so you can pull them away from the glass for scraping and the arms won't hit the hood chipping the paint. One should you use this setting for cleaning purposes too, or be careful about potential hood contact.

Slam08

· #15 · 7 mo ago

Ayepace said:
Winter wiper park only parks them up higher so you can pull them away from the glass for scraping and the arms won't hit the hood chipping the paint. One should you use this setting for cleaning purposes too, or be careful about potential hood contact.

If you change your setting do you notice a change in the wiper height sitting in the vehicle? I toggled mine back and forth and didn’t notice a difference from inside.

Slam08

· #16 · 7 mo ago

Cornea said:
I tried to pull off the wiper arm. No luck. I’m heading over to your place with a cold one to borrow your puller tool. 😀

I don’t know where either of you live. But you mentioned So Cal and Ayepace lives somewhere near Ohio, so I took the liberty of mapping out the travel from Los Angeles, CA to Columbus, OH (just picked the largest cities). It might take more than a day…

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wilsondg

· #17 · 7 mo ago

When I set my wipers to winter mode it parks the wipers a bit higher on the window, maybe 2 to 3" higher so you can pull them up.

Cornea

Discussion Starter · #18 · 7 mo ago

Slam08 said:
I agree that our weatherstripping looks the same. At first yours looked raised but I think that was bc of the light/flash. I checked around my my windshield and it’s symmetric on live.

Here where my wipers sit normally if this is helpful for reference. I don’t think I have them on the snow/ice level. That setting could also affect the wiper height. I think if you set it to winter the wipers raise up,

View attachment 7175

Slam08: My L-wiper is definitely sitting a few inches higher than my R-wiper. My suspicion is when my windshield was replaced, the technician just put the wiper back on without much thought for alignment--it's an easy oversight. Also, thank you for taking a picture of your weather stripping!

I don't think I've ever turned on "Winter Wiper Park." No snow here. But I'll check this afternoon when I get back into the car.

BTW - this community is awesome! Nice to know there are enthusiastic owners willing to help one another.

Cornea

Discussion Starter · #19 · 7 mo ago

Slam08 said:
I don’t know where either of you live. But you mentioned So Cal and Ayepace lives somewhere near Ohio, so I took the liberty of mapping out the travel from Los Angeles, CA to Columbus, OH (just picked the largest cities). It might take more than a day…

View attachment 7177

I am still stuck in LA traffic, so will arrive in Ohio around...

Ayepace

· #20 · 7 mo ago

Slam, set it to winter park and then give the windshield a quick wash pulse. It will park higher.

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