The proper windshield wipers for W126's. Please read.
 

Ok I am guilty of this also, after reading many of the posts here I have seen that many of use W126 owners don't have the right wiper cages on their cars.
These are them, from Fastlane:
P7032-19643 Wiper Blade Set Bosch IN STOCK $74.96 $57.69

The ones you get from Autozone are not the right ones, I just went through this I didn't want to spend the money. But the cheap ones do not work right and will cause problems. This is just part of owning a W126 you need to buy the right wipers.

Just for the new guys most W126 owners seem to have the same problems. :D

Maybe that's the case for the SDL, but the SD is just fine on some ANCO wiper refills I bought for $5. I usually get original equiptment quality parts for my car but $60 for a wiper?? Bosch, get real. Don't tell me a pair of wiper blades is worth a new set of glow plugs, new primer pump and a handful of filters! There are a few things out there which I simply cannot accept the pricing on, and those are one of them. Why so much?

I agree Pete. I bought the Anco blades 3 months ago and they work fine. Now I can buy $7 refills. Works for me.

Well Maybe............
 

Based on the recommendations of someone here on the forum, I took the plunge and ordered "silblade" (www.silblade.com) wipers for all 3 of my MB's. They are reportedly better than the OEM's. I have had mine on the 123 for about 2 weeks, my 126 for 1 week and my 107 for 2 days (no rain yet).

So far, they are fantastic. No chatter or missing at high speed and clearly a high quality silicone blade. They really appear to be top quality.

You won't save any money as they are about $25 per blade. But if they are better than OEM Bosch blades, then they are a better value.

Hattie, lets start a new thread............how many months till our blades start crapping out. Sounds like we are getting a pretty even start on this one.

No these are not the blades, these are the cages that hold the blades. The proper cages have tabs that grab the arms and do not cause them to "chatter" when going across the windsheild. There also is a right and left. These cages are W126 MB specific cages. The refills are a few bucks.


I spent about $12 each for the wrong cages and used little screws going through the hole in the arms to stop some of the chattering.

Sure Alan but my regualar blades seem to last almost a year. Can you just get the silicone refils?

Done with the "parts store" blades. The Fastlane Bosch are great for me. Just got a new set in last week - "just in time for the rain"

OK, I see the blades are about $30 for my car, and a pair of refills $21. I still think that's pretty expensive. What is it that makes them so much? I can understandthe arms a little bit, but the refills? Also, what's different right and left? I never noticed :confused:

I bought a Bosch refill as a spare, single blade, for my panaramic wiper, it was $19 and when the time came to replace the blade I discovered someone had switched my Bosch blade cage to a cheapie!

Must have been done in a parking lot somewhere!

I have wanted to replace the cage, or wiper, as the catalog describes it but oddly there are two different wipers for the Bosch panaramic!

One is Bosch #3.397.002.930 :612mm

The other is Bosch #3.397.012.091 :612mm

Price difference is about $3 between the two! Does anyone know what the difference is? Lenghth, width, fit, what????? :confused: :confused: :confused: BB

I've never been successful using the aftermarket refills in the M/B arms. The chatter would begin within a very short period of time. I recently replaced both the arms on the SDL with the OE replacements (available from PP). I'm not sure if Fastlane supplies the OE arms or the Worldpac equivalents.

I figure that the replacement arms will last another 18 years or so. Works out to about $3.00 per year for wiper arms. And, then you can use the proper inserts for them.

BTW, I had purchased the wiper arms for $20.00 each less than four months ago. :eek:

I don't understand what you all are referring to when you say "chatter." I replaced my wipers with the most expensive bosch units they sell at autozone, but sometimes when the wipers are on their highest speed they sound like they are traveling too far and make this annoying noise. Is this the chattering you all are referring to, or do I just need to have them adjusted??

Answer:
 

Refer to thread:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/104222-wont-start-anything-1985-300sd-8.html

Post #109 for a better understanding of why the parts-R-us wiper arms will not fit. :eek:

Just finished my hour and a half commute this AM - rained the whole way. Cheapo Ancos worked great. Maybe I just got lucky, but I've had them for three months and no problems.

I still don't understand what the fuss is about.

Different people appear to be using different terms for the same parts, so I can't tell if we're talking about arms (that connect to the wiper motor, who ever replaces these?) or the blades (that hold the rubber strip that touches the glass, sold on its own as a refill).

I have non original blades on my car and they handle the Seattle area rain cleanly and silently. Any sweeping statement that proposes absolutely that non original blades will not fit or will not work is, with respect, wrong.

Kevin

Basically, aftermarket products don't always agree with MB's. The aftermarket cages, which hold the blades don't always work as good. They may work for awhile but they begin to squeal and clatter across the windshield. Aftermarkets usually end up costing you more in the long run. Just like Brake Pads. Not all Brake Pads work well on MB's. They work awhile then they squeal. So it sometimes pays to pay a little more and get it right.

So it makes sense to fit the original wiper if you encounter problems, but if you don't - why bother?

Kevin

Well yes if there's nothing wrong with your origional cages, but then if your MB is over 20 years old wear, tear and age will sometimes warrant replacement. Bad cages and definitely bad blades and damage your windshield.

When I went to autozone, the salesman pulled out a box of adapters and found the ones listed as MERCEDES. These little babies made the hooks on my 300SD work perfectly for the aftermarket anco blades and bodies. I have had no problems :)

Hmmm
 

I have seen all current production brands, and tried to mount them to a 1985 300SD, none fit or hold correctly.
Perhaps the previous owner changed the motor arms on your W126.
I have seen brute force, glue, epoxy, zip ties and screws used to mount the current production brands of after market wipers.
Please post pictures, like the reference pictures in my last post on this thread.

The refills are known to me, only the blade/arm is of interest.
Note:
I would like to know how and why they fit, a brand and part number would really help.

Whunter, I reviewed the pictures and am not sure what they show. I had real trouble with the adapters that came with my new "Silblade" wipers getting it to fit my SDL. I finally gave up and was able to successfully transfer the connector (adapters) from the old blades to the new ones. Those adapters have this sort of hinged locking mechanism. I guess I still am not sure about the difference between a left and right wiper. Mine seem to be just fine being identical.

Strange, but both of my other MB's were no problem at all.

By the way, do all 126's have those "coves" (leaf and snow collection caves) that the wipers hide in? I just realized what a real PIA that is now that fall is over here in the mid atlantic. I spent an hour last weekend cleaning out all of the leaves and debris that collects down in the back of the engine compartment.

Tell me about it... whunter went with me to pick up a 300SD last year. While going over the car he tells me about the leaf collector and how fires have been started from the leaves collecting by the blower motor resistor box.

Not more than two or three days later I'm driving my new 300SD down Telegraph and what do I see? Smoke coming from under the hood. The d*** leaves are on fire! I pull over, pore water down the leaf collector and then proceed to scoop out a pile of leaves. (good thing I have small hands)

I bought bosch blades from pep boys and they clipped right into the wiper arms. That was several months ago and no problems. Perhaps someone changed the wiper arms.
Dave

Trico Teflon 15-210 has a heavy-duty cage and fits perfectly. They are about $13 each.

Please post pictures.
 

Please post pictures.
Does it have these tabs?

It doesn't have the tabs. It has a locking mechanism that snaps down in the area of the green arrow. I will try to post a pic later.

When I bought my '86 SDL in May '04 I did not realize it had bad wipers. I was picking it up at night and just did not see them. I was driving from OKC to Cincy and did half the driving that night. It rained about half the trip. Fortunately, somebody had coated the windshield with Rainx so I was able to see. I went to an Autozoo and tried to buy blades. They came out with their box of adapters and tried every one that was even close. None of them did the job. I just drove home and ordered new left and right blades from Caliber. Now I guess I need to get another set of refills (already replaced them once). Wiper blade rubber doesn't last very long in Cincinnati. Sounds like there may be a difference between earlier 126s and '86 up models in the arms.

I bought a set of Bosch blades and cages from Autozone for the SD, the best ones they had they were like $18 each. They worked fine for a month but since they lacked those tabs both of them popped off.:mad: Lucky the passangers popped off in the parking garage at school and about a week later the drivers side popped off in my driveway. It would have probably caused damage to my windsheild or wiper system if I couldn't pull over or shut them down right away. Because the cage kind of flips vertical and jams one arm.

I pulled the wipers off the SDL, they are the proper ones with the tabs and stuck them on the SD. I'll buy the SDL a new set in the spring.

Here's how they go on. The plastic cover lifts up and snaps down against the hook end of the wiper arm. Not sure how it applies to other years.

I just recently got the Bosh blade refills from my stealer, they were $4 less for the set there than on fastlane. I paid $18.03 for both. Took about 6 mins to install them, they work great, no more streaks or hazing. The cages that hold them look as if they could last forever...they're very sturdy. $18 every 2-3 years is fine with me for getting good bosch blades.

The prev owner of our 83 tried to buy off brand replacements for it, the right one came off while we was driving, so he broke down and bought the OEM set for $60. He said it always felt "loose" when he tried to clip in the aftermarket ones, but OEM went in solid and good. As for me, I'll stick with OEM on stuff that lets me see where I am going. :D

Time for me to get some bosch cages and wipers. I sitll have the origional ones off my car (bosch) but the cages are pretty worn out. I put on some blade deals from napa and they worked for awhile. But now I can't see for crap so I think I'll drop the 60 bucks *tear* on new blades and such.

Course my windshield is pretty old :D

What do those tabs actually do? Are they just a release mechanism, or do they serve some stability purpose?

Those tabs hold the cage on the wiper arm, Bosch cage's without those tabs will pop off the arm eventually.

I just ordered a set of wipers (new cages and all) and they are on their way.
Being able to see in the rain is important to me...course now I'll realize I need a new windshield (I think my current one is the origional)

Do I need to make a diy page of how to put on windshield wipers? LOL

I'd hope not :)

Brandon I don't know how it works in OR, but in CT if you have glass coverage they will change your windshield for free. Just call your insurance company and say you can't see out of it anymore, thats all it takes.

Simple as can be all you have to do is give up your car for a few hours as they swap in a new one.

I presume this is if you have full coverage?

If so...I don't have such stuff on my car. The cost of it is just not worth what I have invested into my car.

If state farm was willing to do it, I'd go for it. But knowing them, they'll try to charge me all of it and then raise my rates for no reason :D

I figure a REAL mercedes windshiled is in order. Assuming this in the origional..its taken some SERIOUS rock attacks and survived with nothing more than a tiny chip...no cracks...etc...amazing glass thickness :)

No you don't need full coverage. Glass coverage is a seperat thing, talk to your insurance agent.

Of course a glass place will use an OE windsheild, do a search the brands have been gone over in the past.

I'll have to do this...I defintely want a quality replacement becuase about once a month I get a fatty rock attacking my windshield. It leaves chips every time but that thing has NOT cracked yet...not even in full sunshine.

I need to redo the sealant stuff anyway...I should just cough up the dollars and replace it :)

Maybe im cheap but the autozone replacements with zip ties (through the hole on cage) hold and work fine no chatter, streaking, noise, or anything...

I have a set of those "TriplEdge" blades from walmart. $7 each.

Other than they are slightly loose and seem too long (but their measurements measure up exactly) the work fine. Make a wonderful smear-free wipe with a lifetime warranty! If I understand right, I get free silicone refills as long as I own the car.

I may secure them with zip ties just in case though.....

Heh,

I guess if you drive enough per year (I am clocking on about 30k-35k) then I guess the expense of the real windshield wipers is worth it. Something about sun dried zip ties and me loosing a wiper on the freeway in pouring down rain is just not appealing :)

But then again, it rains like 70-80% of the year here in Oregon :D

Our local Advance Auto carries Bosch and Trico blades. Strangely, their computer doesn't even list the Bosch units for my car. I was a little skeptical, but I bought the Trico Teflon blades instead. It turns out they do fit very well, and snap solidly in place as in the picture above. So far they operate very quietly and smoothly, but its only been a week. :)

I got some trico 15-210 fits well and no tie wraps needed!

This is just trivia, but on my 126, I totally removed the right wiper arm one time when I needed a replacement wiper and couldn't find one at the time (was out on the road going from NC to FL). Well, I got home (back to NC)and rather than replacing the arm and wiper blade I just left it that way. You only loose about 3 inches of wipe on the right side. It's been about 3 years now and no one even notices that it is missing. Cuts my wiper blade replacement cost in half.

Update:

Those things aren't worth a crap on a 126. They never fit "tight" and would hit the trim on the windshield and I ended up losing my little coupler piece that goes on top. Thank goodness for junkyards!

Verdict: Use OEM blades/cages.

Correct, wasted like $40 on them only to have them snap off in the rain on a busy street.:mad: Drove SD home, yanked the OE cages off the sleeping SDL and never had a single wiper issue in the next 7 months.

OE cages are the only option, all others just don't fit.

Does Mercedes still sell original glass? I have my original 1982 windshield and only one side window is not original on my car. Im considering replacing the non original window with an MB pane.

If it's not the front glass, just grab one from a boneyard...

Bosch blades
 

I strongly recommend the original Bosch replacement units (combined holder and blade). www.**************.com seems to the cheapest at around $30 set including shipping.

I had OEM replacements on my 300sd and they were junk - smeared like crazy. The Bosch are great.

AFAIK you can get it through any glass shop. Securit(sp?) or whatever is written on the windows. My windsheild was replaced with a Pilkington, I'm probably more picky about my SDL then 99% of the guys on this forum and frankly that doesn't bother me. If they are good enough for Volvo its good enough for me.

cheap wiper blades
 

I went for the cheapies about two months ago!
It rains in AZ about once every 6months!

Good idea..... Not only would it match the car better but it would be cheaper :)