JohnRich 4 #1 September 12, 2011 My annual auto inspection is due again, which means it's time to replace my windshield wipers so that the inspector won't have a stupid reason to fail me as an excuse to try and extort more money from me. So I go to the auto parts store to buy new replacement rubber for my wiper blades. I've run into this problem for about the last two years now: The parts store only sells full wiper replacements, to include both the rubber and the metal frame structure which holds the rubber. Those sell for $15-$30 each, which makes a wiper replacment rather expensive. So I go up to the counter and ask where just the rubber blade replacements are that fit into the metal structure. They don't stock those any more, but they have a few left over from old inventory in back. The clerk escorts me into the back room, and there they are! I get what a need, the rubber inserts only, for $7.50. I slide those into my old metal frames, and I'm good to go for inspection. So why the heck have auto parts stores quit selling just the rubber blades by themselves? It's not like the metal frames wear out - those last a lifetime. It's only the rubber that needs replacing. Yet they want to sell you the whole complete unit, as if we're all too stupid to know how to slide new rubber blades into the frames. What's up with that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #2 September 12, 2011 You know,I just realized that a few months ago too when I replaced my wiper blades. There were no refills but you could buy the whole wiper assembly itself. I'm thinking it just may be a money thing......why get our $7.00 when they can get our $15.00Bry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #3 September 12, 2011 John, some people ARE too stupid to know how to slide the blade in! I had to show a neighbor how to put the new metal frame ones on a couple weeks ago...'push this button, throw that way, hook this on and click' 30 seconds and done.Also, depending on the car, sometimes you can't GET just the blade replacements...My German engineered go-cart for example. ...and I WISH 30 bucks would cover it! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbry 0 #4 September 12, 2011 Some people are too stupid to know when and how to turn on the wipers themselves...but why should those of us that can be penalized..Bry -------------------------------------------------- Growing old is mandatory.Growing up is optional!! D.S.#13(Dudeist Skdiver) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 800 #5 September 12, 2011 Try a real auto parts store, not the super-duper-chain-with-shit-for-parts stores. I avoid those when possible. Less crap import parts at a better quality auto parts store. My local favorites: Auto Machine and Parts Co (largest crankshaft lathe in the state!) Central Auto Parts (a Carquest store now - so that may be going downhill - but they had the best parts when I was building a 66 Mustang Fastback) NAPA - always a good quality choice, especially if the store has a machine shop to boot. WILL NOT go in a Discount Autoparts / Advance auto parts stores. CRAP parts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 333 #6 September 12, 2011 Just your burden to bear for living in a state that still kowtows to the inspection station owners by requiring these inspections. Does anyone really think that rubber cannot be produced that will not age out in 1-2 years? Nope, not much profit in selling something that doesn't have to be replaced very often. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #7 September 12, 2011 Quote Just your burden to bear for living in a state that still kowtows to the inspection station owners by requiring these inspections. Does anyone really think that rubber cannot be produced that will not age out in 1-2 years? Nope, not much profit in selling something that doesn't have to be replaced very often. There are silicone blades available from the aftermarket, but I've never seen them for a Wrangler, dammit."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #8 September 12, 2011 Quote [skydiverbry] You know,I just realized that a few months ago too when I replaced my wiper blades. There were no refills but you could buy the whole wiper assembly itself. I'm thinking it just may be a money thing......why get our $7.00 when they can get our $15.00 It's even worse, the wiper frame price starts at $15, and that's per wiper, and you need two. So it's more like $7.50 for just the blades, versus $30 for two new frames. Quote [airtwardo] John, some people ARE too stupid to know how to slide the blade in! I had to show a neighbor how to put the new metal frame ones on a couple weeks ago...'push this button, throw that way, hook this on and click' 30 seconds and done. Yes, but people who are too stupid to know how to insert the rubber replacement blades, are also too stupid to know how to click on the new frame. Quote [normiss] Try a real auto parts store, not the super-duper-chain-with-shit-for-parts stores. I don't think those "real" stores exist any more around here. The Autozone's, O'Reilly's and Advance stores are more common than McDonald's and Burger King's. Quote [headoverheels] Just your burden to bear for living in a state that still kowtows to the inspection station owners by requiring these inspections. Does anyone really think that rubber cannot be produced that will not age out in 1-2 years? Nope, not much profit in selling something that doesn't have to be replaced very often. They eliminated the annual auto inspections in Florida back in the 80's, and lo and behold, nothing changed! There were not more auto accidents from neglectful maintenance. I'm thinking it's all about finding a way to make more money off a strip of rubber that can be produced for a dime. And all the parts makers and sellers are in cahoots on the scheme. I think this requires a speech from president Obama to resolve this fleecing of the poor and middle class citizens who are hurt most by this flagrant money grab. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #9 September 12, 2011 I can't even get aftermarket full replacements, no less rubber inserts. Only place to get blades is from Audi. "The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,991 #10 September 12, 2011 >Does anyone really think that rubber cannot be produced that will not age out in 1-2 years? In Portland? Probably, if you're willing to wash them every once in a while to get the mildew off. In Phoenix? A much tougher nut to crack; UV is deadly to most polymers over time. (And if you think JohnRich is mad about $15 instead of $7.50, imagine how mad he would be about $40 newfangled "ten year" wiper blades.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #11 September 12, 2011 A little 'RainX' and ya don't NEED wipers! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iluvtofly 0 #12 September 12, 2011 Not sure where you're shopping but I just got full wiper replacements for my Jeep the other day for $8 a piece. And that's the most I've paid for them in years. And I'm not even buying the cheapest ones on the rack. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #13 September 12, 2011 Save yourself some money: 1- Don't go out in the rain 2- Install the wipers for inspection, take them off and store them until next inspection. Geez....have to point the obvious to Texans. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #14 September 12, 2011 Quote Save yourself some money: 1- Don't go out in the rain 2- Install the wipers for inspection, take them off and store them until next inspection. Geez....have to point the obvious to Texans. Good plan...hasn't rained here in 3 months anyway! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #15 September 12, 2011 Quote[billvon] if you think JohnRich is mad about $15 instead of $7.50... Once again, the $15 frame price is "each", while the $7.50 blade price is for a pair, so the comparison is actually $30 vs. $7.50. Quote[airtwardo] A little 'RainX' and ya don't NEED wipers! Almost true. I use Rain-X and it works fabulous. But if the rain gets really heavy, you've still got to turn the wipers on at some point. But here in Texas with the drought, I don't think I've used the wipers all summer, except to smear some bugs around. And it's been so darned hot, they nearly melt themselves to the window glass. Quote[popsjumper] Install the wipers for inspection, take them off and store them until next inspection. Yeah, good idea! I actually used to do that kind of thing when I was really young and poor. I would swap tires around with friends to get through the inspection, and then swap all the tires back to the original vehicles when done. Works great! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,363 #16 September 12, 2011 Hi Pops, Quotetake them off and store them until next inspection. Back in the 70's I belonged to the local Porsche club. Here in Oregon we have an emissions-only inspection whenever you renew your license/registration' normally every two years. One guy in the Porsche club actually had two engines for his car & would change them out every two years so he could pass the testing. It cost him a fair amount of money each time but he could drive around with the engine he wanted in his car. JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 333 #17 September 12, 2011 QuoteSave yourself some money: 1- Don't go out in the rain 2- Install the wipers for inspection, take them off and store them until next inspection. The rubber will typically stiffen with age and not work very well. Not as fast as when actually on the car in the elements, but they still go bad just sitting in the cabinet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #18 September 12, 2011 I use Rain-X and it works fabulous. But if the rain gets really heavy, you've still got to turn the wipers on at some point. Quote In HEAVY rain, just drive FASTER...the wind clears it off! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #19 September 12, 2011 Perhaps modern wiper designs evolved away from replaceable blades because the old type allowed the blade to "rock" - not be held still due to the clearance between the channel and carrier bracket flange. The new designs on both of my cars do not allow for a blade to be replaced separately, and the blade is integrated - held in a much more stable position. That rocking would likely be bad for wiping performance, and certainly bad for noise I would think. Auto mfgs are very focused on the JDPowers initial quality survey, and a complaint for noisy or bad performing wipers counts just as much against the score as a problem with the powertrain. I just bought a good pair of wipers (the full assy, not just blades) for my Civic for $9 each. They were a big name brand (can't remember which right now) but weren't even the cheapest, so I think the $15 versions are not worth it. I find that wipers when old must collect some gunk that can't be easily cleaned off (I've tried), and then they make horrible noises that goes away with the replacements. My somewhat vague memory is that at Honda we found (wipers weren't in my design group, but I heard about it at meetings) that some kinds of wiper fluid tubing can contribute to the weird gunk that gets collected/contaminates the wipers, making it especially bad for the long tubing run for cars with a back wiper Rain X is good, but does nothing for you when driving slowly.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #20 September 12, 2011 Quote The rubber will typically stiffen with age and not work very well. Not as fast as when actually on the car in the elements, but they still go bad just sitting in the cabinet. They just don't make them like they used to. Conspiracy by car makers....planned obsolescence.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #21 September 12, 2011 You have an annual auto inspection? I've never heard of such a thing! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #22 September 13, 2011 Quote You have an annual auto inspection? I've never heard of such a thing! Every year, new sticker on the windshield...right next to the plate registration sticker. I have so much state crap on the windscreen I gotta drive my go-cart with my head out the side window! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #23 September 13, 2011 Quote Every year, new sticker on the windshield...right next to the plate registration sticker. Huh. Well, I guess FL doesn't care enough about their drivers to inspect their vehicles! Although, they are smart enough to have us put our registration stickers on our license plates and not our windows. It would probably hamper the little old ladies being able to see. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Calvin19 0 #24 September 13, 2011 I have no problem with the full replacement. I buy rubber-sealed wipers, in rocky mountain winter we need the protection from ice lock up. I replace mine once every 6 months or so. (May, then November) the rain-X ones for summer are DAMN good. (~30$/blade) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #25 September 13, 2011 I live in a state where according to the mandated postings, everything gives you cancer, but no vehicle inspections required. go figure. ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
