Fitting Flat wiper Blades

[gumby6371]

I'm thinking of changing my wipers to flat blades but also changing the arms so I can use the proper blades. Tried the flat blades for standard wiper arms and they're sh*t.

Does anyone know which cars to look out for at the breakers that I could transplant the wiper arms from?

[Gary406]

good old style Bosch ones are my fav's . tried all others and think there crap. i get mine from euro car parts...

i wanted to find some other wiper arms for mine but had no luck ...

[OdinEidolon]

I found japanparts ones to be the best on the 406. But I kept the standard wiper arms, I don't see why I should change them.

[DaiRees]

I had that idea some time ago but never found arms to fit perfectly, even went 'round a car park with a measuring tape . IIRC someone did manage it once here but they had to shorten the arms, might be worth a search? If you do find suitable arms please let us know

It the mean time I'm using cheap flat blades off ebay that attach to the standard arms. They need replacing every year, but they're less than a quarter of the price of the first flat ones I had (Valeo - £30), which certainly didn't last 4 years!!

[Welly]

even went 'round a car park with a measuring tape

Mr Rees!

Newer cars have much bigger screens it seems and the wiper arms are very often much different lengths and many have a kinda dog-leg design with a tiny wiper on the passenger side.

I think you're unlikely to find a set of arms (as our car park scavenger found out) so you're probably stuck with the 'conversion' type with the fat adaptor thing

[OdinEidolon]

I still don't see any problem in using our wiper arm and newer wiper blades. I've been using cheap flat blades from Ebay for the last 6 months and have no problem whatsoever.

[jonsowman]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference between normal and flat blades? I gather flat type are better in some way?

[OdinEidolon]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's the difference between normal and flat blades? I gather flat type are better in some way?

They provide better adherence to the glass and have an integrated spoiler for increased pressure at higher speeds, so yes, they are somehow better.

[DaiRees]

TBH I'm not convinced they perform any better than a good set of the old type blades, but saying that I've never seen them lift and they only judder when they're really knackered! They're certainly less visually intrusive than the old type blades too, and on a 406 they tuck nicely below the bonnet line, which is of course another reason to try to get the new-style arms

[jonsowman]

So will the flat blades (like those on eBay for example) fit onto the OEM 406 wiper arms?

I'm tempted to give these a go as the blades are going to need replacing soon anyway...

[Welly]

The flat ones fit the curve of the screen better and are less prone to 'lift' at speed. Again I suppose the crazy curvy design of new cars has prompted a 'windscreen wiper solution' and so they're all flat now

I've just replaced the ones on my Volvo and I've had them 3 years so they may well have been even older - maybe they're longer lasting if good quality.

BTW - I bet some of you will be surprised that I've had the 'Eastbourne Express' TM for almost 3 years in fact I am holding a "this is my last monthly finance payment and I'm f*cking glad to see the back of them" party and I am soooo not doing that again anytime soon

[DaiRees]

So will the flat blades (like those on eBay for example) fit onto the OEM 406 wiper arms?

I'm tempted to give these a go as the blades are going to need replacing soon anyway...

Certainly will mate, here's the ones I've got on at the moment http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160614906104? ... 1423.l2649

[jonsowman]

Thanks mate, will order some

[DaiRees]

BTW - I bet some of you will be surprised that I've had the 'Eastbourne Express' TM for almost 3 years in fact I am holding a "this is my last monthly finance payment and I'm f*cking glad to see the back of them" party and I am soooo not doing that again anytime soon

3 years? OMG that's flown by, it's seems like just yesterday we started ripping the piss out of you for buying a pensioner wagon....

Must be careful here, still haven't ruled out a Vulva for my next conveyance....

[puggy]

Congrats welly !! My god 3 years since you bought the OAP Ambulance , does it smell of sick
and stale piiss