R57 R57-Compatible Wiper Blades? MASSIVE chatter from OEM blades...
#1
R57-Compatible Wiper Blades? MASSIVE chatter from OEM blades...
Hi,
Been two weeks I have my MINI now...very enjoyable weeks I might add! Anyways, it has rained quite a bit here in northern NJ since I took delivery. I was enjoying the smooth action of the wipers until today.
Drove 200 miles today (literally, 208 miles) and has been raining all day and in the morning the wipers were good. But since around noon, the wipers have been chattering and jumping up and down like crazy!
First week-end I got the car, I clayed the windshield and applied a coat of Adams Glass Sealant. Wipers were working great for a while and then today it was just miserable!
I usually stick with OEM wiper blades since they offer the smoothest performance in my experience. Anybody have any aftermarket recommendations? I popped off the blades and noticed the arms are completely straight, rather than the typical hook-style arms found on most vehicles. Don't want to waste money on wipers that won't work, I just know that the sizes are 18" driver and 19" passenger.
Searching this forum states to strip any and all protection with alcohol/water and a good claying. I don't want to do that; any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Emile
Been two weeks I have my MINI now...very enjoyable weeks I might add! Anyways, it has rained quite a bit here in northern NJ since I took delivery. I was enjoying the smooth action of the wipers until today.
Drove 200 miles today (literally, 208 miles) and has been raining all day and in the morning the wipers were good. But since around noon, the wipers have been chattering and jumping up and down like crazy!
First week-end I got the car, I clayed the windshield and applied a coat of Adams Glass Sealant. Wipers were working great for a while and then today it was just miserable!
I usually stick with OEM wiper blades since they offer the smoothest performance in my experience. Anybody have any aftermarket recommendations? I popped off the blades and noticed the arms are completely straight, rather than the typical hook-style arms found on most vehicles. Don't want to waste money on wipers that won't work, I just know that the sizes are 18" driver and 19" passenger.
Searching this forum states to strip any and all protection with alcohol/water and a good claying. I don't want to do that; any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Emile
#2
#3
#4
Not wanting to do what needs to be done then complaining about an on going problem doesn't make much sense.
The glass is the problem. It needs clayed and machine polished with glass polish. Glass is no different than any other outside surface. It collects all kinds of residue from all sorts of nasty places on the road. Does the hiway department salt the roads in winter? Do semi-tankers carry all kinds of evil fluids cross country, tar from road repair? That stuff sticks to the glass and has to be removed for the wipers to do their job.
The glass is the problem. It needs clayed and machine polished with glass polish. Glass is no different than any other outside surface. It collects all kinds of residue from all sorts of nasty places on the road. Does the hiway department salt the roads in winter? Do semi-tankers carry all kinds of evil fluids cross country, tar from road repair? That stuff sticks to the glass and has to be removed for the wipers to do their job.
#5
Not wanting to do what needs to be done then complaining about an on going problem doesn't make much sense. The glass is the problem. It needs clayed and machine polished with glass polish. Glass is no different than any other outside surface. It collects all kinds of residue from all sorts of nasty places on the road. Does the hiway department salt the roads in winter? Do semi-tankers carry all kinds of evil fluids cross country, tar from road repair? That stuff sticks to the glass and has to be removed for the wipers to do their job.
The wiper problem for cars with this style of arm does not seem to be wide spread so that kind of indicates that it's the arm and not the windshield.
#6
#7
Not wanting to do what needs to be done then complaining about an on going problem doesn't make much sense.
The glass is the problem. It needs clayed and machine polished with glass polish. Glass is no different than any other outside surface. It collects all kinds of residue from all sorts of nasty places on the road. Does the hiway department salt the roads in winter? Do semi-tankers carry all kinds of evil fluids cross country, tar from road repair? That stuff sticks to the glass and has to be removed for the wipers to do their job.
The glass is the problem. It needs clayed and machine polished with glass polish. Glass is no different than any other outside surface. It collects all kinds of residue from all sorts of nasty places on the road. Does the hiway department salt the roads in winter? Do semi-tankers carry all kinds of evil fluids cross country, tar from road repair? That stuff sticks to the glass and has to be removed for the wipers to do their job.
a2oc, I did purchase a pair of OEM replacement blades which are ready to go but based on what people are saying on this forum and another forum, it would basically just be a waste of time.
I am going to e-mail a couple of wiper blade manufacturers to see if I can stir up at least one company to try to make an aftermarket wiper for our vehicles. I highly doubt I'll be successful though.
For what it's worth, the OEM wipers are from SFW/Valeo.
Trending Topics
#8
I did clay the glass when I first got the car, and then I applied the Adams Glass Sealant. I stated that I am not willing to clay it again and get rid of the glass sealant because I basically do not believe that is the issue. I use a couple different glass sealants on a variety of cars and they never cause any problem. Also, my car is brand new, only less than 600 miles on the odometer so the glass is extremely clean and free of any chips and pits, at least for now.
a2oc, I did purchase a pair of OEM replacement blades which are ready to go but based on what people are saying on this forum and another forum, it would basically just be a waste of time.
I am going to e-mail a couple of wiper blade manufacturers to see if I can stir up at least one company to try to make an aftermarket wiper for our vehicles. I highly doubt I'll be successful though.
For what it's worth, the OEM wipers are from SFW/Valeo.
a2oc, I did purchase a pair of OEM replacement blades which are ready to go but based on what people are saying on this forum and another forum, it would basically just be a waste of time.
I am going to e-mail a couple of wiper blade manufacturers to see if I can stir up at least one company to try to make an aftermarket wiper for our vehicles. I highly doubt I'll be successful though.
For what it's worth, the OEM wipers are from SFW/Valeo.
Try a thin layer on rain x on the blades first, kind of worked for my blades for a while
#9
I have always found that chatter is caused by a twisted wiper arm, so that the wiper blade is trying to snow-plough in one direction or other. The confirmation is if the chatter is in one direction only, which tells you which way it's snow-ploughing.
An adjustable spanner on the blade end of the arm allows you to permanently twist the arm until the unloaded blade is sitting at right angles to the screen when, usually, the chatter will stop.
This problem cannot be sensed by the ECU so of course the dealership cannot detect this on their diagnostic reader so don't know how to fix it....
An adjustable spanner on the blade end of the arm allows you to permanently twist the arm until the unloaded blade is sitting at right angles to the screen when, usually, the chatter will stop.
This problem cannot be sensed by the ECU so of course the dealership cannot detect this on their diagnostic reader so don't know how to fix it....
#10
#11
#12
I have been suffering with this for a while. New inserts help just a tiny bit but the drivers side still chatters. I have tweeked the wiper arm so many times that I can't tell if I need to go a little this way or that way any more. The wiper arm looks odd now. So I ordered a new one but its on back order from Germany. 7 -10 days. At this point I'll try anything
And yes have cleaned glass vinegar alcohol clay bar razor blade glass cleaner all of them. And still the same.
Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring
And yes have cleaned glass vinegar alcohol clay bar razor blade glass cleaner all of them. And still the same.
Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring
#13
Appreciate this input people are giving on what has helped and what has not. I am starting to suspect it's the 19" passenger-side wiper. Today it is very cold with a light rain that has turned into some snow. I have noticed that the last inch or so of the passenger-side blade is not conforming to the windshield and is just kind of floating. I have not noticed this before so maybe it's due to the cold? Either way, I will snap a picture.
The wiping is smooth today, second time it snowed and the wipers have no problem. I guess the slickness of the snow/ice does not give any problems to wipe. Yesterday was raining a lot here in northern NJ and the wipers were chattering all day.
The wiping is smooth today, second time it snowed and the wipers have no problem. I guess the slickness of the snow/ice does not give any problems to wipe. Yesterday was raining a lot here in northern NJ and the wipers were chattering all day.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SF Bay Area/Monterey, CA
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I have seen in past threads on this subject that it is better to use a contoured blade for the passenger side, or, better yet in terms of price and availability, use 18" blades for both sides. I know you haven't yet found any other manufacturer but maybe you can change the inserts and use 18" blades?
#16
#18
#20
Former Vendor
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Peabody, Ma
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We offer OEM R57 wipers at 20% off (plus shipping). You can order here if you would like:
http://www.minipartsmass.com/parts/i...&siteid=215989
http://www.minipartsmass.com/parts/i...&siteid=215989
#21
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Interior/Exterior Must see: Liberty Walk body kit for Mini Cooper R56
carid
Interior/Exterior
13
09-02-2021 07:22 AM
patsum
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
26
05-29-2021 06:29 PM
ej
MINI Parts for Sale
5
11-17-2015 09:21 PM
Mini Mania
Interior/Exterior Products
0
09-03-2015 12:24 PM