Single Wiper Arm Blade Puzzles

[angst]

Being a bit of a DIY person I've logged a couple of hours fitting an MB Bosch wiper blade to the central arm of a 1989 260E W124 model.

I think I could be almost there with a bit of help.

The first hour was spent working out that the curved end of the wiper arm fitted into the middle of the wiper blade clip rather than over the end of the clip - as it did for every other blade I've handled. The diagrams on the box bore no relation to the product inside it.


Problems still remaining are:

1. The blade is asymmetric - the central pivot off centre that is - and according to the box the long bit points up for models from 12/87 and point down for models up to 1/88 but I'm assured it's the one for my car even though it seems to be only for cars made in Dec 87.

2. Whichever way I put the blade it leaves a blind spot left of centre of windscreen. I've already exchanged one of these from German French and Swedish, which also had a tear in it as well as the blind spot.


The main dealer is miles away and couldn't help over the phone, saying they don't measure the distance from the top of the blade to the top of the windscreen and don't know which way it should go in.


Any advice including:

A. Does your long bit point up or down if you've a single wiper?

B. What is the distance between the top of your wiper when vertical and the top of your windscreen if you've a W124?

would be gratefully received. I'm hoping to have the blade sorted in an under four hour task so I can move to even more challenging areas like working out how to replace the back interior bulb without hacking at the cover.

The sad thing is, I had no problem with the old Bosch blade that was just an 'any car' blade rather than one specially built for MB.

 

[Juddian]

Well if i get done for flashing it'll be your fault, i've just been outside minus strides and measured up....ooerr missus.

The longer side goes towards the top of the screen, and funnily it took me ages the first time to fit one, but now slip them on and off in no time, just as well they only seem to last one season.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Well if i get done for flashing it'll be your fault, i've just been outside minus strides and measured up....ooerr missus.

The longer side goes towards the top of the screen, and funnily it took me ages the first time to fit one, but now slip them on and off in no time, just as well they only seem to last one season.

You could always fit silcon blades - they last for YEARS.

 

[Juddian]

You could always fit silcon blades - they last for YEARS.

I'll use any and every excuse when i'm up before the beak.

I should be OK for a year now, i managed to get a couple of spares in a sale , when they're exhausted i'll look at the silicons

Hang on i hear a loud banging on the front door, the lovely lady next door must have a hell of a pair of binoculars....think..

 

[angst]

Thank you Juddian. Over and beyond the call of duty.

I'll tell my passengers that the wipers don't judder because of Juddian.

I suspect the blind spot is due to another faulty blade.

 

[Juddian]

Thank you Juddian. Over and beyond the call of duty.

I'll tell my passengers that the wipers don't judder because of Juddian.

I suspect the blind spot is due to another faulty blade.

You're welcome, my nether regions have now recovered, though the lady next door laughs whenever she sees me..

With regards to your unswept section, i'd lift the wiper arm and have agood examination of the blade with a magnifier, i'll bet that during manufacture or possibly fitting a small section of one side of the blade has jumped one of its clips and that said clip is in the wrong groove of the rubber blade lifting it for a couple of inches.

Glad my streaking exploits are appreciated along the South Coast..

 

[angst]

blade

You're welcome, my nether regions have now recovered, though the lady next door laughs whenever she sees me..

With regards to your unswept section, i'd lift the wiper arm and have agood examination of the blade with a magnifier, i'll bet that during manufacture or possibly fitting a small section of one side of the blade has jumped one of its clips and that said clip is in the wrong groove of the rubber blade lifting it for a couple of inches.

Glad my streaking exploits are appreciated along the South Coast..

I've just checked and it seems OK. Now this is the second blade so I'm wondering whether the 20 year old MB wiper arm system is not up to an MB blade made for it, and happier with any old blade.

The new blade also has an annoying habit of catching water at the top of the arc and dragging it down 3 or 4 inches on the drivers side.

 

[angst]

Squeak

It's squeaking now!! I think I'll put the old Bosch 'anycar' blade back on.