Car wiper blade problem

[smallblueplanet]

Right, we've got a Ford Fusion which has different sized front wiper blades. The smaller one has perished and needs replacing. The problem is having replaced it, they doesn't 'work'.

The blades are supposed to be (according to spec on websites) 22" & 16" - having replaced the 16" blade and switched the wipers on the longer blade catches on the shorter one...When I measured the longer blade it measures just over 21", but not 22"....

So I don't know what's wrong and how to sort which one to buy to fix the problem? Any one any ideas?

[allotmentlady]

nip to halfords they will sort it and fit them for you

[shirlthegirl43]

Did you measure the one you took off? Perhaps it was shorter than 16 inches.

[shirlthegirl43]

nip to halfords they will sort it and fit them for you

Yup but they charge a couple of quid for that service!! (I have two Halfords parts specialists right here)

[lynda66]

cut the end off??

[smallblueplanet]

Did you measure the one you took off? Perhaps it was shorter than 16 inches.

Lol! Yeah I did measure it Shirley, but forgot to put that in the post! It was more like 15 3/4" than 16". More confusion!

Edit - Now the OH isn't sure about the longer blade being swapped and says it may have been the shorter one! So is it possible that 'genuine Ford parts' are slightly shorter than 22" & 16" to make it difficult to buy cheap replacements?

[PAULW]

When you removed the blade from the wiper you may have put the arm slightly out of tilter, say the arms at set at 3 o clock if one arm has been moved to a position between 3 & 4 the timing for a smooth sweep will be out and the blades hit, loosen the nut on the offending blade and move it up and retighten can be a bit of fiddling about till the right spot is found but this should work.

[dexterdoglancashire]

I work for a local garage and we are part of the Good Garage Scheme - log onto their website for your local garage : Good Garage Scheme - Car Service, MOT Test, Car Servicing and Repairs Directory - you'll find your local reputable garage who wont rip you off - pop in and they'll be able to help you.
Bernie aka DDL

[smallblueplanet]

When you removed the blade from the wiper you may have put the arm slightly out of tilter, say the arms at set at 3 o clock if one arm has been moved to a position between 3 & 4 the timing for a smooth sweep will be out and the blades hit, loosen the nut on the offending blade and move it up and retighten can be a bit of fiddling about till the right spot is found but this should work.

Might have a look at this in the light tomorrow - I wonder if that might have been done by a previous garage to make a 'longer' generic short (16") wiper fit with the original ford long (22") blade?

[PAULW]

I have a carina e and that has odd blades so I usually go to aldi and buy a pair of short and a pair of long

[smallblueplanet]

But I'm not sure what size to buy, thats part of the problem...can't take em back when they're out the box...

[shirlthegirl43]

But I'm not sure what size to buy, thats part of the problem...can't take em back when they're out the box...

Can you hang on till lunch time tomorrow? Madmax will check what blades Halfords recommend for your car

[smallblueplanet]

Yeah tomorrows no problem, that would be great - you couldn't ask him to measure them could you? Also ask what he thinks about PaulW's thought about the 'timing' being wrong? Many thanks. Can't afford to go to the garage, especially when wipers are so easy to change, but can't afford to buy the wrong one either.

[shirlthegirl43]

Paul may be right but there is no reason why that should happen. Madmax will check the set tomorrow and I will let you know as soon as I can afterwards.

Mind you, our local garage would have a quick look for nowt and tell you if you had bolloxed it somehow (spesh if you try to come across all frilly)

[smallblueplanet]

...Mind you, our local garage would have a quick look for nowt and tell you if you had bolloxed it somehow (spesh if you try to come across all frilly)

Ours probably would too, but its a fair way down t'road and the forecast is for rain tomorrow - and tbh, I'd feel a bit cheeky as we don't have (need) much done bar MOT & service...oh and I'm out of practice being frilly.