Wiper refills available locally? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Dean · 2009-12-17, 10:45 AM

This is loosely tech...

Does anybody sell just the rubber wiper inserts in Reno any more? Walbogs used to have them, but now only has whole blades.

At least on the A4, I have great German engineered blades with an airfoil, etc. compared to the cheap Chinese crap at walbogs and just want new rubber. Audi has them for an outrageous price.

Anybody seen any anywhere?

I will mail order if needed, but shipping is more than the rubber is worth, so local is a real option.

sperry · 2009-12-17, 10:56 AM

New blades are *just* the rubber.

Dean · 2009-12-17, 11:10 AM

I am not spending $20 or so per blade for them there new fangled torsion blades.

Bosch inserts for the OEM blades are under $10/pair mail order plus shipping.

cody · 2009-12-17, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

New blades are *just* the rubber.

I tried the RainX version of those and threw them away after a week. They didn't work well with the weak OEM springs that pull the wiper into contact with the windshield.

sperry · 2009-12-17, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

I tried the RainX version of those and threw them away after a week. They didn't work well with the weak OEM springs that pull the wiper into contact with the windshield.

You're a big strong guy. Bend the wiper arm 2 degrees towards the windshield.

cody · 2009-12-17, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

You're a big strong guy. Bend the wiper arm 2 degrees towards the windshield.

Except that wasn't the problem. The spring would have needed to be stronger to keep the entire blade in contact, regardless of what I bent.

sperry · 2009-12-17, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

Except that wasn't the problem. The spring would have needed to be stronger to keep the entire blade in contact, regardless of what I bent.

Um... no.

Let me illustrate:

cody · 2009-12-17, 11:54 AM

I understood what you meant but always enjoy a good MSPaint illustration.

Maybe you're right, but I'm not sure it would have helped.

sperry · 2009-12-17, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

I understood what you meant but always enjoy a good MSPaint illustration.

Maybe you're right, but I'm not sure it would have helped.

Well, it's worked so far on the 4 cars I've done it to.

MPREZIV · 2009-12-17, 12:21 PM

Dean, I believe we're able to get inserts here through Napa. Have you tried them?

Jeikun · 2009-12-17, 12:53 PM

I have nothing important to say other than scott should sell his artwork.

WRXlerate · 2009-12-17, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

I tried the RainX version of those and threw them away after a week. They didn't work well with the weak OEM springs that pull the wiper into contact with the windshield.

I commute from reno to carson so I run the washoe valley gauntlet daily and I love mine. Your bad experience must have been due to the poor springs. Mine wipe so well I haven't had to put a washer reservoir in yet, they wipe the dirty road grime clean. I had washer issues once I had to put that stupid air pump in where the bottle is supposed to go...stupid air pump. Trying to find a small, square reservoir and pump to install next to my half sized battery...

As far as getting affordable wiper inserts, I've taken a printout of a shopping cart from an online vendor into some local dealers and express my intentions of keeping my purchases local if they can match the price. I have yet to be let down...and if they can't match it, they come close enough to still make it worth not ordering online. I've heard audi is really proud of their stuff though, so it may be a hard sell but worth a shot. Worst thing they can do is say no.

Dean · 2009-12-17, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

Dean, I believe we're able to get inserts here through Napa. Have you tried them?

The retail store in Sparks was no help, and the warehouse is too busy to answer the phone.

100_Percent_Juice · 2009-12-17, 02:48 PM

^Maybe they just have caller ID.

Dean · 2009-12-22, 03:57 PM

The RainX beam blades are on sale 2 for 1 after MIR at Pep Boys and CR likes them, so I am going to try a pair. The A4 is just a weird egg. The driver side has the airfoil which is fully functional and needed at 90+MPH and maybe lower.

And the passenger blade is curved to hug the windshield, so hopefully they stay on the windshield.

Kevin M · 2009-12-23, 03:55 PM

What the hell does it matter how your wipers behave at 90+ when it's raining?

Dean · 2009-12-23, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin M

What the hell does it matter how your wipers behave at 90+ when it's raining?

Quite a lot actually! Laguna Seca, Thunderhill and maybe, but probably not Infineon. I know I have been well over 80MPH in the rain and likely over 90MPH at the first two, but I am not looking down at that point... That is why I wrote it that way. A good application of RainX does most of the work though at those speeds, except for spray from damn race cars without mud flaps.

And actually, the airfoil helps at significantly lower speeds as well. The STI has non-aero blades on it now, and they hop at speed in the wet. I did just find a refill for its stock blade with airfoil though. Last Lexor "D" blade I had lying around.

2009-12-17, 10:45 AM	#1
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Wiper refills available locally? This is loosely tech... Does anybody sell just the rubber wiper inserts in Reno any more? Walbogs used to have them, but now only has whole blades. At least on the A4, I have great German engineered blades with an airfoil, etc. compared to the cheap Chinese crap at walbogs and just want new rubber. Audi has them for an outrageous price. Anybody seen any anywhere? I will mail order if needed, but shipping is more than the rubber is worth, so local is a real option. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-12-17, 10:56 AM	#2
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	New blades are just the rubber. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-12-17, 11:10 AM	#3
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I am not spending $20 or so per blade for them there new fangled torsion blades. Bosch inserts for the OEM blades are under $10/pair mail order plus shipping. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-12-17, 11:54 AM	#8
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	I understood what you meant but always enjoy a good MSPaint illustration. Maybe you're right, but I'm not sure it would have helped. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-12-17, 12:21 PM	#10
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	Dean, I believe we're able to get inserts here through Napa. Have you tried them? __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2009-12-17, 12:53 PM	#11
Jeikun EJ22 Real Name: Jake Niedle Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Damonte Ranch Posts: 427 Car: 2006 WRX Limited Class: little to none	I have nothing important to say other than scott should sell his artwork. __________________ Cook bacon in your underwear. It adds danger to breakfast and makes you feel like you are welding. - Juice

2009-12-17, 02:48 PM	#14
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	^Maybe they just have caller ID. __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2009-12-22, 03:57 PM	#15
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	The RainX beam blades are on sale 2 for 1 after MIR at Pep Boys and CR likes them, so I am going to try a pair. The A4 is just a weird egg. The driver side has the airfoil which is fully functional and needed at 90+MPH and maybe lower. And the passenger blade is curved to hug the windshield, so hopefully they stay on the windshield. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-12-23, 03:55 PM	#16
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	What the hell does it matter how your wipers behave at 90+ when it's raining? __________________ FWD is the new AWD

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