Topic: Problem with "frameless / Reflex" style wiper?

[curls]

Hey guys.  I just picked up the recommended 26" and 16" size Rain-X Latitude wipers for my car today (2004 Acura TSX).  Anyhow, they look nice, feel much stronger than the Reflex ones, and the passenger side (16") one works perfectly.  However, the drivers' side (26") one seems to work great on the way up, but on the way down there is a 3"x4" patch in the middle of the wipers' path that doesn't get fully cleaned. I'm afraid that when it's cold and I'm moving, this will freeze up and cause a patch where visibility is a big problem.

I'm thinking that the spring-effect from this style of wiper is overpowering the wiper arm spring, causing the wiper to lift slightly in the middle.  Any validity to this thought?

What else can I try? I have not tried it while moving yet (just in my driveway after installing), so there's a chance that air movement over the wipers would help press the wipers into the windshield.  But, even then if that works, spraying washer fluid while standing-still means I'd have this patch.

Insight appreciated! Thanks!

[curls]

Well I found the exact same problem has been had with similar style wipers: The Bosch Icon ones.

http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2029341#post2029341

That is the EXACT same problem I'm having.  I'll be trying to remove the one endcap, probably tomorrow, but does anyone see a problem if I were to remove the endcap, leaving some of the spine and "internals" exposed to the winter elements?

[PJungnitsch]

Interesting. I threw my Michelin Radius frameless wipers in the garbage a couple months ago for chattering and general poor cleaning. Had the same conclusion that they were just too stiff, but maybe the endcap removal would have fixed them.

That said, the cheap conventional wipers I replaced them with work perfectly.

[Trainman]

There is some more info/feedback on the reflex style wipers here:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,54050.0.html

From what the parts place told me, it seems the longer the blade, the less effective this technology is.  And that is what I found out as well.  The long drivers side blade on the Sienna was the worst of the 4 I had installed.

[barrie1]

Possibly one of the spring hold-downs on the wiper arm may be of assisstence to keep more constant pressure on it. I do change out my wipers and install the winter ones every fall as they are defitely worth their weight in cleaning ability. The springs can be bought at Canadian Tire for a reasonable price and should help with this problem somewhat I would suspect. 

[The Fuzz]

I bought Reflex wipers about a month ago when they had the 2 4 1 special. Something happened during the first time they froze to my windshield (likely when I peeled it off) and now there's a section that doesn't even touch the window. Not happy.

And I haven't even got my rebate yet. 

[dr_spock]

I have a set on my Honda.   They're in the second winter and chattering during the first cold morning wipe.   Once they get wet, they quiet down.

Canadian Tire sells extra tension springs that clip on the wiper arms.  (I am not sure if they still do.)  It might help the wiper arm to force down the reflex blades some more.   

[carcrazy]

I just replaced my stock wipers on both Mazda3 and Outlander with frameless Rain-X (from WalMart). They aren't great, but acceptable. I tried Michelin from Costco and I returned them for the very same reason stated by the OP. Last winter I tried the Bosch Icon for my Mazda3 and they were horrible - wouldn't clean big portions on each sides.  

So far the conventional wipers are the best IMO.

[UmroAyyar]

I just replaced my stock wipers on both Mazda3 and Outlander with frameless Rain-X (from WalMart). They aren't great, but acceptable. I tried Michelin from Costco and I returned them for the very same reason stated by the OP. Last winter I tried the Bosch Icon for my Mazda3 and they were horrible - wouldn't clean big portions on each sides. 

So far the conventional wipers are the best IMO.

I replace the conventional wiper inserts every spring after winter use. The job's done alright.

Costs about $13 all inclusive. Sometimes the dealership doesn't have wiper inserts in stock alone, they want to sell the whole wiper arm for $30. I just call around and get it from another dealer.

[airbalancer]

I bought Reflex wipers about a month ago when they had the 2 4 1 special. Something happened during the first time they froze to my windshield (likely when I peeled it off) and now there's a section that doesn't even touch the window. Not happy.

And I haven't even got my rebate yet. 

Try rebending the wiper, it work for me
I think I will go back to the old style next time

I just replaced my stock wipers on both Mazda3 and Outlander with frameless Rain-X (from WalMart). They aren't great, but acceptable. I tried Michelin from Costco and I returned them for the very same reason stated by the OP. Last winter I tried the Bosch Icon for my Mazda3 and they were horrible - wouldn't clean big portions on each sides. 

So far the conventional wipers are the best IMO.

I replace the conventional wiper inserts every spring after winter use. The job's done alright.

Costs about $13 all inclusive. Sometimes the dealership doesn't have wiper inserts in stock alone, they want to sell the whole wiper arm for $30. I just call around and get it from another dealer.

In the BMW I just get the insert they work great

[curls]

Well guys, last night I looked at the design closer, and removing the one end-cap nearest the drivers' side was not a good option, as that would allow 1/2 of that wiper to slide back and forth.  Consequently, I did notice that the rubber inserts ARE REPLACEABLE on this specific wiper brand (more than one can say for the as-pricey Reflex's at CT).

So, I put the end cap back on and tried bending the wiper arm "into" the window a bit more.  The wiper arm comes from the factory with a bit of bend at a specific point, so I made that bend slightly bigger.  It seems to have fixed the problem, as I believe it increased the pressure on the clip of the wiper, which directly translates to increased pressure in the middle of the wiper (where I was having problems).

I'll get a real-world test tomorrow when there's 10cm of snow forecast... lol!

[curls]

Checking back in with some reviews:

- We got about 20cm of snow, and my "bending the wiper arm" trick seemed to work just fine.  No end-cap removal required (or even recommended).

- Blades are silent and extremely efficient UNLESS the window is nearly bone dry.  If the window is dry or very very slightly moist, the blades will be noisy, but that's a direct result of the pressure they use to create such an efficient wipe.

- Definitely NO PROBLEM with the ice and snow they can accumulate, unlike the frame-style wipers... these frameless ones stayed flexible and didn't miss even a single spot due to freezing or otherwise.

  out of 5.

EDIT: I now give these wipers a  out of 5.  Why? Because the passenger side one already broke in the "cold" (-7*C at the time), and the drivers' side one stopped wiping that area again.

They were returned on the way to work this morning in favour of the 'old' style ones, which I might add, worked well in the snow and ice today.

[dorin]

I've been using the Reflex wipers from Crappy since they first came out and I've got no complaints.  I find that if they seem too stop wiping certain spots then all I need to do is give the blades a good cleaning (some bug and tar remover followed by a good cleaning with dish soap works best, but even just wiping them off with a paper towel works) and they're back to good as new.  The current set are two years old now and still going strong.

[barrie1]

Dorin do you have a summer set that you rotate these with? 2 years is a lot of work on any set of blades and I would wonder just how long they might last. 

[1TSX]

OEM wiper blades work best, in our experience.

[rrocket]

I use them on the Supra and Import Queen on the IS.  Hers are 1 year old.  The Supra over 2 now.

I had an issue with the wiper no staying on the Echos windshield..like what you described.  CDN Tire sells these springs that connect to the arm and hold the wiper good and solid on the windshield. 

The wipers now work awesome.

[The Fuzz]

I had an issue with the wiper no staying on the Echos windshield..like what you described.  CDN Tire sells these springs that connect to the arm and hold the wiper good and solid on the windshield. 

Many moons ago (before this thing called the internet) I recall reading someone's advice not to use those springs as the added friction wears down the wiper motor quicker. I dunno.

And now my one month old Reflex wiper is not wiping half the passenger side. Back to the teflon ones from Crappy Tire after this...

[safristi]

..reflex decision.................... ..CRAPPY PRODUCT ..like Rain X washer fluid....new crap every day fer us suckers.......i stayed wif the Teflon (still squeak!!!???) Wipers.......

[dorin]

Dorin do you have a summer set that you rotate these with? 2 years is a lot of work on any set of blades and I would wonder just how long they might last. 

Amazingly no, it's the same set.  I'm actually pretty surprised that they're still working since I've never had a set of wipers work well for more than a year before, but who am I to look at a gift horse in the mouth? 

I now live only a few blocks away from a Canadian Tire so when this set dies it'll be a quick and easy replacement.

[wing]

Interesting.

I used the ones from CanadianTire on my Subaru were great.

The ones I used from Costco on my S2000 awesome (Although very short and only used in the rain).

Most new cars come with them.