It's the only thing that annoys me about this car (1984 300D). The wipers chatter almost always. I've replaced them twice with Bosch wipers (including frames), but there was very little difference. After a full hour of rain, they'll sometimes settle down. Is there something mechanical that might be causing this?

It's supposed to rain all week - help!

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

Try some rain-x on the windshield. That will make the glass a bit more slick.

You might also try a different brand of wipers. Mine only chatter if I run them too fast in the rain and catch dry glass.

I had these weird water deposits on my car when I got it and those wipers chattered like crazy! I got the deposits off and rain x-ed the windshield and it was as smooth as... glass.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

if your blades are still new, PatricdeBoer and ForcedInduction were all right, try to treat your windshield with Rain-X and also treat your wiper blades with a few squits of Silicone spray and let it dry.

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'85 300D Turbo - CA Version

Every time I have had chattering or skipping of the wiper blades, it has always been the glass and never the blades. I second (or third or fourth or whatever number) the idea of cleaning and Rain-Xing the glass.

Wes

Try some 0000 steel wool on the glass to clean it.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I use Aquapel instead of Rain X, as it lasts for about six months. Also, I found that cleaning the blades when you clean the car goes a long way. Use the towels that you cleaned the windows with and give 'em a quick wipe.

Buy the proper wiper. If the W123 is like the W126 Bosch makes a special wiper set with tabs.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'll try the RainX or Aquapel. My last experience with RainX was many years ago in Seattle. It worked at first, but after a few days of rain, it ended up leaving some grunge on the glass and it no longer worked.

I've tried two different sets of Bosch wipers made for the 123. Both do the same thing, so I'm thinking you guys must be right that it's the glass and not the blades.

Thanks for the advice - I'll let you know how it works.

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

Try bending the wiper arm so the edge of the blade is not being pushed into the glass like a scraper. The edge of the blade needs to roll under slightly in either direction. I'll bet your wipers only make noise in one direction.

i went to extremes trying to fix the chatteing wiper on my 123 wagon, new blades, new arms, even a new glass!! what helped the most was to lube the bushing where it protrudes from the body, you need to remove the center cover to gain acess and remove the linkage

Well, I tried RainX and it actually made it worse! They BOTH chatter and often in BOTH directions. It's maddening. Oddly, they chatter as much or more when it's raining hard.

It may be the bushing - what center cover are you talking about Carson? I'll try anything now.

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

Some years ago I replaced the wipers on my 200 with special Bosch silicone wipers. I had just used some kind of anti-water compound on the windshield, like Rain-X. Cant remember exactly what it was. Unfortunately I read too late the warning never to use any kind of anti-watering stuff with these wipers. I've never had worse chattering wipers before or since. I suspect your windshield may have been treated with something before that over time leaves a layer of gunk on the glass. I'm afraid I dont know how you might get it off. I never was able to solve my chattering problem.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

The springs in the arms can get stretched and not be applying sufficient force to keep the blade in contact with the windshield. Somewhere there is a spec for this, I do remember seeing in the shop manuals that they apply a spring-scale to the arm to test it and if it is below spec they recommend replacement of the entire arm. You might try this, but if you need a replacement don't buy a used one..go for new. I think they run about $35 each.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Get some BON-AMI cleanser (gold can red letters) DO NOT USE ANY OTHER CLEANSER at the supermarket, wet windshield, sprinkle on the BONAMI and rub with clean sponge. Rince thoroughly, then clean the blades with Rubbing alcohol or wiper fluid. Since rain X made the problem worse, you have some type of wax on windshield thats making water bead up and wipers chatter.

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Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD