D Car — November 2003

Most cars today use wipers that attach with a U-shaped hook, but a small number use center-lock or screw-on types. Some older cars have other designs as well. Auto-parts stores mostly sell U-hook blades, and the other types are very difficult to find. These adapters are for those less common fittings: they convert different wiper mounts to a U-hook type. Each costs about ¥200.

MELTING POT

Part 4

Replacing the wiper blade

There are two methods: replace the entire blade assembly, or replace only its rubber insert. Let’s start with replacing the whole blade.

Is it easy to do?

Prepare a blade the same length as the one you’re replacing. Comparing it directly is best; if that’s not possible, check a catalog.

For types other than the U-hook, adapters…

Let’s try replacing a wiper blade. There are two ways: replace the whole blade…

Which is better: replace the whole blade or just the rubber?

Removing a U-hook wiper blade: press the stopper at the base of the fitting with your finger to release the lock.

…replacing the whole blade is the way to go.

That used to be common. Center-lock and screw-on types were used before…

Below left: adapter for center-lock type; right: adapter for screw-on type.

The adapter is a lock-type / plug-type…

Neither is very difficult, but the easiest is to replace the whole blade…

Is the replacement procedure the same for every car? Most modern cars use what’s called a ‘U-hook’ fitting…

Push the entire blade toward the base of the wiper arm, moving it so it clears the U-hook rather than catching on it.

← It’s off now. Guide the blade past the U-hook…

…and remove it.

…but nowadays they’re used mainly on some trucks.

There’s a tab; press it with your finger to release the lock.

Done! It looked difficult, but it was easy. Yōko-chan had trouble releasing the lock at first, but got it off quickly.

‘Okay, I’ll try changing it. How do I do it?’ First, hook the blade stopper onto the U-shaped hook at the tip of the wiper arm…

‘I just press here, right? What next?’ Once the lock is released, push the entire blade toward the base of the arm…

← Check that the new blade is the same length as the old one. The old blade used a replaceable rubber insert with a color-coded rubber strip.

‘Push until the lock clicks…’ Yōko-chan struggles: ‘It won’t click easily!’

Push it down to remove it. That’s right—it comes off easily.

…and set it onto the U-hook. Make sure it locks firmly with a click. If it isn’t locked securely, it could come off when the wipers are operating. Push it fully into place until you hear the lock click.

‘Removing it was easier than I expected. How do I install the new one?’ Guide the blade around the arm…

Installation is the reverse of removal. Guide the blade around the arm and align it with the U-hook.

← Push it up to fit the blade onto the U-hook…

Push the blade up until it locks. Installation complete! ‘It takes a little force, but putting it on is easy, too.’

When the wipers chatter…

When wiper blades wear, they may chatter or leave streaks. Replacing them with new ones is best, but a fluorine-based chemical can also help reduce chatter. Applied to the sides of the blade, it coats the worn rubber surface with fluorine and restores smooth movement. Try it if your wipers start chattering.

← Several companies sell anti-chatter treatments. The one used here is…

It cleans grime from the wiper-blade rubber and can be used without removing the blade from the arm.

Made by Soft99

20 ml, ¥780

OCR reads ‘9江园’; not reliably legible.

OCR reads ‘serir’; not reliably legible.

Shake the container well, apply it to both sides of the blade, and wipe it off immediately with a wringing motion. Let it dry for about 30 minutes and it’s ready.

D Car — November 2003

About this issue

Page 209 — English draft translation