123 wiper chatter - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Aaron · #1 01-31-2002, 12:54 AM

Hey guys,

Do any of your 123s' windshield wipers chatter while operating? I just put new Bosch Micro Edge blades on my wagon and they are chattering like mad.

DieselHead · #2 01-31-2002, 01:00 AM

Do the wipers skip across the windshield or do the wipers make a lot of noise when they change direction? If it's the former, I think it's probably because the spring that keeps the arm pressed against the glass is worn. Mine does this and it is very annoying but I've been too busy to think about correcting it. If it is the latter of what I mentioned, then it's just a matter of switching to a different wiper blade. The blades I had on my Landcruiser made a lot of noise so I switched to Anco and the noise went away. good luck

Alex

240 Ed · #3 01-31-2002, 03:46 AM

Yes! My wipers make a lot of noise. But the blades need changing.
When the blades are at rest, they rest at an angle, and soon take a set in one direction. They usually only chatter in one direction. New blades is a cure. I am trying the new Trico teflon blades purchased at Costco, but they are noisy on my Cadillac, so I don't know if I like them or not.
A new windshield will definetly make a difference.
So will cleaning the windshield. Try hot water on a cloth, maybe with some alcohol. Careful though, if it is too cold out, you might crack the glass.

MarkM · #4 01-31-2002, 10:09 AM

When I saw your post, I was prepared to reply by saying that you should use the Bosch Micro Edge Excel, only to see that that is what you installed!!

This has been a constant source of aggravation to me in the past.

Here are some suggestions that I think will solve the problem:

Dont use Rain-X, anti fog, or any other winshield treatment. Dont use the pink Rain-X washer fluid...it only makes the chatter worse;

Dont use any of the black stuff used to treat the wiper blade...same...makes it worse

I use Bosch Micro Edge Excell...it is the only blade that does NOT chatter for me...change annually. Every couple of months, clean the blade with straight soap and water.

NOW, The main thing that I think will solve your chatter problem is to clean the winshield with an abrasive glass cleaner or something similar. There are various products out there. I have used Meguires No. 7 polishing compound. Do NOT use something with to coarse a grit, or you will do major damage...you want something like a jewelers rouge or other VERY FINE abrasive cleaner intended for polishing glass....this will remove all the crud (minerals, fungi, etc. etc.) that will build up on th surface of glass over time.

For washing fluid, use ordinary cheap blue stuff...AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Mercedes additive....it comes in little plastic ampules which you break off the end and squirt into the bottle of fluid and mix. I use one ampule for about 1.5 gallon of fluid. These cost a couple bucks each. Ive never seen anything like it...the wiper fluid goes on sudsy, but dries crystal clear...great stuff!!!

Ive also use the P-21S product.....I hated it...it left major crud over the hood of the car near the nozzles....I needed glazing compound to remove the residue!!

Good Luck,

Mark

ricali · #5 01-31-2002, 08:57 PM

clean your glass with bon ami powder wet it and rub with wash mitt then wash with soap and water . hte chatter will be gone and the glass will sparkle . a trick from the days past

240 Ed · #6 02-01-2002, 03:46 AM

Ah Ha!

I am using the Rain X pink washer fluid. I thought I was being so clever too!

You gave many great hints, I shall try them all.

I have been a huge fan of Rain X, but not for what you may think.

DON'T USE IT ON YOUR WINDSHIELD!
When used on the windshield,...yeah it works like they say, but after a while, the wipers will "abrade" it, nother words the wipers start wearing it off. When this happens, the wipers create a sort of haze on the screen, and it sucks to look through.F

BUT, USE IT ON YOUR SIDE GLASS AND MIRRORS!
It is magic on your side glass and mirrors. Even in the worst storms you can see your right side mirror to change lanes, it is great. Something I learned from driving bus to Reno over Donner Pass in the winter for 12 years.

LITTLE KNOWN FACTOID:
Donner Pass in California is on I-80 and runs from San Francisco to the east through Reno, Denver, and keeps going somewhere into the unknown.
Anyway, this Donner Pass is the SNOWIEST PLACE in the lower 48 states. A really bad winter will drop 40+ feet of snow at the summit and be below 0 degrees.
That 40 feet of snow doesn't go anywhere either gang, it just sits there until spring. So it sort of like driving through a huge trench, with walls of snow which have been blown up by the highway crew. They can't use plows, because where would you plow it to with a wall like that?
The most impressive machine I saw on the highway crew was a converted diesel electric locomotive set up mounted on a truck chassis. It drove a huge snow fan which sent the snow flying up over the bank of snow and out of the way. A very impressive thing to see on a sunny day just after a winter storm.

Perhaps I am babbling...

240 Ed · #7 02-01-2002, 03:50 AM

Ricali

Do you remember BonAmi in cake form? My mother swore by it for our windows, but I just swore at it!
Can't find it anymore in these days of Windex stuff. But I think it would be fine for cleaning the scum off of glass.
Does the powder work the same way?

DJChillfit · #8 03-02-2002, 02:44 PM

Howdy,

My W123 (78 280E) has a wiper arm with a worn out spring, like someone above suggested. I'm looking to replace it but don't know what that part is called at FastLane/PartsShop/etc, I don't see a part called windshield wiper arm. What is it listed under? Thanks

Simon

thebern · #9 03-02-2002, 06:16 PM

Aaron,
Sometimes wiper chatter comes from an oily windshield. I use a mixture of '50/50' rubbing alcohol and water, wipe dry with newspaper! Great for all glass surfaces, interior and exterior.

the bern

thebern · #10 03-02-2002, 06:21 PM

Stay away from 'Rain-x' products!! Thet are more trouble than you can spit or swear at. I know and have.

the bern

airfoill · #11 03-02-2002, 10:45 PM

I had the same exact thing happen to me. It was time to change out the blades (thick blades) because they were getting worn. I changed them to the micro blades (thin blades) and you never heard so much chatter when they wiped the windshield. I went back to buying the thick factory blades and no chatter whatsoever like before.

Herb
'82 240D
'87 300SDL

MVK · #12 05-18-2002, 11:52 PM

I tried following and worked for me;
First cleaned my windshield with a good glass cleaner.
Second cleaned the balde with soap water and rinsed it well.
Third, when the blade was completely dry, sprayed some silicone spray on a clean towel( just a little, and ran it over the blade couple of times, This way you get a thin coating of silicone oil on the blade. AND this works for me.
My friend uses the graphite lock spray instead of silicon spray using exacly the same procedure on his Honda Accord.

Mine still works good for about 2 months and I repeat this every 2-3 months. My blades are totally generic Unifide Brand from National Liquidators. But they are better than my previous Microedge. Good Luck
MVK

JimSmith · #13 05-19-2002, 10:37 AM

Wow, I have been using Rain-X products since the early 1970's and swear by them. I apply the stuff a little differently than the instructions, I put it on and then after it dries, wipe it off with a damp rag. It typically lasts about a month or 1,000 miles. And it makes the windshield wipers last much longer as I hardly use anything but the intermittent wiper. Yeah, it is a pain to put it on all the time, but I think it makes the night vision in the car when it rains so much better I am willing to put up with applying it frequently.

Chatter is sometimes a problem with any windshield as the wiper speed, pressure and surface finish of the glass conspire to make a "stick-slip" event occur. Changing the pressure and glass surface condition are options, while speed is kind of set on these cars. In my experience, Rain-X helps clean the scum and particulate embedded in the surface of the glass off as it has acidified alcohol in it. I use copious quantities when I put it on and make sure the glass is completely clean. If chatter starts where the blade changes direction, there is usually a deposit of worn rubber or a build up of road grime there that is visible.

I have adjusted the blade pressure when the wiper skips a spot here and there by bending the arm a little, but this is typically an indication the blade and its support piece are shot - new blade and holder assembly.

I was a little shocked at how adamantly Rain-X was condemned. I have had good experiences with it, as well as some of the other remedies noted. Like cleaning the blades themselves. I do that whenever I fill up with fuel and wipe the windows - I use the same tool to wash and then use a paper towel to wipe the blades too.

Jim

autozen · #14 05-19-2002, 12:02 PM

Aaron,

You got so many replys I haven't had time to read them all. In case no one else mentions it, the steel springs that slide into each side of the Bosch rubber inserts must be installed curving out from the windshield. When you have the blade apart, you will notice a slight natural curve to the two strips of spring steel. Do not install to form the curve of the windshield. Install them with the curve away from the windshield. They add spring tension to the inserts.

Peter

240 Ed · #15 05-19-2002, 09:34 PM

Peter,

What a super tip, thanks!
Never heard of this, but makes sense I guess...

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