Wipers
Here's the first thing I've done which might be useful; wiper blades. I replace mine every year, try it if you don't, if you have got used to smeary half-cleaning wipers the difference will surprise you. I chugged on down to Halfords as usual, measured the front wiper (22.5 inches long, and the hook on the end of the arm about 9mm inside the gap) and browsed the wipers. There is plenty of unwiped glass around the swept screen area, so I picked out a Bosch 23 inch, no spoiler fitted, price10 pounds 99. It comes with an adapter already fitted at the centre, allegedly suitable for 9mm hook. I bought after unsealing the box to look at the fitting. I've used Bosch before, always to good result.
To fit or remove the blade, the windscreen washer jet which rides on the wiper arm needs unclipping, a simple job just be careful not to strain the plastic and note it has a hole which lines up on a pip on the arm. It was a simple matter to unhook the old wiper, check it against the new (both were 22.5 inches! I've been cheated of half an inch..) and hook the new one in, perfect fit :o) But wait, after refitting the washer jet, the new wiper frame touches the washer jet mount, preventing the outer end of the wiper from sitting on the glass. Not to worry, looks simple to fettle and I took it home.
A very quick few strokes of the file, shown above, gives clearance for the washer jet, see below:
A dab of black enamel paint and the blade is refitted.
NOTE I did have to file a bit more out than the picture shows, as the wiper pivots on the arm a bit more at the top of the screen.
I haven't checked the other wiper available there, Halfords own brand, for fit, nor tried to match up a wiper refill rubber - if you do, then let me know the result and we can all benefit. It could be a while until I'm back at the shop. Who knows, it may fit better?
Of further interest, the wiper sat at a very bad angle to the screen, the upstroke digging into the glass at a steep and juddery 25 degrees estimated. It should sit square to the glass so that it trails the rubber equally wiping in both directions. Adjustment is by twisting the wiper arm, not the blade. I use a pair of adjustable spanners, both adjusted down to a thin slot to fit the arm. Use one near the base of the arm so that you don't strain the wiper mounting, and twist the end of the arm near the blade using the other spanner. It will need quite a brutal twist as it tends to spring back to its former shape.Check the new angle on the screen by eyeing it up from the passenger side. It is this bad angling which causes the juddery wiping which you've all seen at one time or another. You know, when instead of going swish - swish - swish, it goes "swish - SQUAWK - swish - SQUAWK"!
I also discovered the washer pipe which had been flapping disgracefully in the breeze had a clip on it to attach to the wiper arm. Reclipped it in what seems to be the right place on the front of the arm about half way up. If it comes off, some (black) cable ties will be applied.
The tailgate wiper started to split, so I replaced the rubber. The rubber replacement kits in the shop looked a complex plastic strip thing, so I spent a fiver on an 11 inch wiper blade, un-crimped the blade holder at the end and slid the rubber out - fitted perfectly.
Further note on wiper placement
Autumn 2009. The wiper parked well down the screen. However it also left a few inches un-wiped next to the drivers side windscreen frame. Add to that the thick pillar that side and there is quite a large blind spot. I put the wiper a spline or two further up but this made the top of the blade ride over the screen edge rubber. The answer to this for me was to bend a bit more crank edgeways into the wiper arm. It wasn't as easy as bending it flatways! But it was possible, and now it wipes close to the glass edge. This adjustment was carried out in stages and I'm now satisfied I can't get it any better.
Aixam