Windscreen wipers effectiveness

Skiprat said:

Never had a problem until recently, however I've started to notice this over the past week or so - particularly if the roads have been salted. The outermost 3-4" of sweep of both wipers is failing to clear as well as the rest of the sweep. It's not particularly unusual to have this effect in the UK with light salty spray from the car in front drying on the screen, particularly if the screen heat is being used.
Problem is, when using the screen wash to clear it, the 3rd or 4th sweep of the wipers has achieved cleaning/drying of the screen except for that outer part of the sweep. Seems like the blades are not sitting square to the screen and applying sufficient pressure to clear the muck away.
With the wipers parked it's apparent that the blade profile becomes twisted towards the last 4" of the wiper. I know that the screen has a slight curve but you'd possibly expect the opposite - ie blade sitting square at the outer edge, and being more twisted near the middle where there might be more pressure on it...?
Understandably the wipers are consumables but I'm a little surprised that they're starting to fail so soon. Wondering if anybody has replaced theirs with a more robust profile that might alleviate this problem?

For Info: - Fieldmaster - took delivery October - 3500 miles on the clock. Wipers pulled away from the screen if frost is forecast.

Click to expand...

Skiprat said:

Never had a problem until recently, however I've started to notice this over the past week or so - particularly if the roads have been salted. The outermost 3-4" of sweep of both wipers is failing to clear as well as the rest of the sweep. It's not particularly unusual to have this effect in the UK with light salty spray from the car in front drying on the screen, particularly if the screen heat is being used.
Problem is, when using the screen wash to clear it, the 3rd or 4th sweep of the wipers has achieved cleaning/drying of the screen except for that outer part of the sweep. Seems like the blades are not sitting square to the screen and applying sufficient pressure to clear the muck away.
With the wipers parked it's apparent that the blade profile becomes twisted towards the last 4" of the wiper. I know that the screen has a slight curve but you'd possibly expect the opposite - ie blade sitting square at the outer edge, and being more twisted near the middle where there might be more pressure on it...?
Understandably the wipers are consumables but I'm a little surprised that they're starting to fail so soon. Wondering if anybody has replaced theirs with a more robust profile that might alleviate this problem?

For Info: - Fieldmaster - took delivery October - 3500 miles on the clock. Wipers pulled away from the screen if frost is forecast.

Click to expand...

ADVAW8S said:

@Stu_Barnes. How is the windshield exo shield working? How did the wipers with te shield handle the rain?

Click to expand...

Scotsitalian said:

ive now fitted the Bosch AR16U aero blades to the front and it makes a huge difference in performance, so much better, the smudged part at the top of the screen wipes clear now.
I’ve also changed the rear to a Bosch SP15U and this is also better but you’ve got to remove the spare wheel to do it which is a real pain!
the issue I now face is the washer jets, they are not good and at 70mph, do not reach the top of the screen which does cause smearing if you dontdeluge the screen. Hard to believe that a serious off-roader would have pathetic washers, do they think we all drive in perfect conditions?

Click to expand...

Skydance said:

The OEM Italian made Draco flat blade wipers don’t sit well on the windscreen properly. I see both ends deform hence the occasional dragging when there is light rain.

I opted for old school wipers with an aerodynamic casing, DENSO Hybrid 16 inch wipers. Old school wipers have the same pressure point along the wipers to suit all types of curved windscreens.

Click to expand...

Scotsitalian said:

ive now fitted the Bosch AR16U aero blades to the front and it makes a huge difference in performance, so much better, the smudged part at the top of the screen wipes clear now.
I’ve also changed the rear to a Bosch SP15U and this is also better but you’ve got to remove the spare wheel to do it which is a real pain!
the issue I now face is the washer jets, they are not good and at 70mph, do not reach the top of the screen which does cause smearing if you dontdeluge the screen. Hard to believe that a serious off-roader would have pathetic washers, do they think we all drive in perfect conditions?

Click to expand...

rovie said:

I am really surprised by all your feedback. My original windscreen wipers have done an excellent job so far. Neither snow nor heavy rain have been a problem, even in sub-zero temperatures.

Click to expand...

rovie said:

I am really surprised by all your feedback. My original windscreen wipers have done an excellent job so far. Neither snow nor heavy rain have been a problem, even in sub-zero temperatures.

Click to expand...

Eric said:

Road salt/ grit kills wipers in the UK over the winter months. Highways Agencies get carried away with the amount they use. Must be performance paid on the tonne they spread.

Click to expand...

Scotsitalian said:

ive now fitted the Bosch AR16U aero blades to the front and it makes a huge difference in performance, so much better, the smudged part at the top of the screen wipes clear now.
I’ve also changed the rear to a Bosch SP15U and this is also better but you’ve got to remove the spare wheel to do it which is a real pain!
the issue I now face is the washer jets, they are not good and at 70mph, do not reach the top of the screen which does cause smearing if you dontdeluge the screen. Hard to believe that a serious off-roader would have pathetic washers, do they think we all drive in perfect conditions?

Click to expand...