Wiper Blade Replacement

[letherm]

I know it's been covered previously but it was a while ago and I can't find a recent thread.

What's the latest thoughts on blade replacements for a D4.

I'd bought a pair of Siblades about a year or so ago. Fitted them today and they are leaving huge gaps and there appears to be about 5cms less coverage at the top of the screen.

Suggestions for replacements both front and rear?

Martin

[SimmAus]

Hi
I also purchased the Silablades, didn't work for me. Kept jumping and leaving gaps.
Purchased Bosch BBA550 * 2 for fronts. Work excellently and silent.

Cheers

[scarry]

My silblades have been fine.

The only issue is they can be noisy when there isn't much water on the screen.

[jonesy63]

Another vote for BBA550 from me!

[letherm]

My silblades have been fine.

The only issue is they can be noisy when there isn't much water on the screen.

Murphy's Law I suppose.

I bought them as they were well regarded at the time. Maybe I should have used them earlier but the oem ones have only recently become too bad to use.:o

Martin

[letherm]

Hi
I also purchased the Silablades, didn't work for me. Kept jumping and leaving gaps.
Purchased Bosch BBA550 * 2 for fronts. Work excellently and silent.

Cheers

I see that there are BA530 and BA550 with the BA530 supposedly for the driver's side and the BA550 for the passengers side. Any issues with just using BA550's?

Martin

[Basil135]

I see that there are BA530 and BA550 with the BA530 supposedly for the driver's side and the BA550 for the passengers side. Any issues with just using BA550's?

Martin

They are too long.

The number is the length in mm.

Think you might find that the longer blade will hit the top of the screen, where it meets the roof.

[The Fizz]

Try Wipertech. They have aero wipers that work great, very competitive prices, and free express shipping. I have personally used them and am very happy.

[alpick]

I treid em all, even the michelins,all squeaked when not very wet.

TRITON from supercrap! quiet and cheap!

[RHS58]

Try Wipertech. They have aero wipers that work great, very competitive prices, and free express shipping. I have personally used them and am very happy.

I've used wipertech.com.au for 4 cars in the family fleet.
Competitive prices, and the product works well, and still going well after over 12 months.

[SimmAus]

They are too long. The number is the length in mm. Think you might find that the longer blade will hit the top of the screen, where it meets the roof.

Just checked on mine - no hitting top of screen from what I can see
Cheers

[keithand]

Tridon TCB22 curve blade have worked for me over the last 6 months. Same for both sides.

[Drizzle]

Hi
I also purchased the Sillblades, didn't work for me. Kept jumping and leaving gaps.


Same experience here, even when in torrential tropical rain.

[Disco-tastic]

Does anybody use RainX or another product that may affect the performance of the wipers?

Cheers

Dan

[Drizzle]

No products used, the sillblades would just skip off the screen leaving gaps of about an inch or two during every stroke.

I was getting ready to change them when the mechanic changed them unprompted during a service to a Lucas brand wiper blade. They've been fine.

[Disco-tastic]

My drivers side wiper does that, and makes a bloody awful noise doing so. not always mind you. When it works it works well. I end up using the manual control so that i have to hear the noise as little as possible.

Do you know where the lucas brands are available?

Cheers

Dan

Ps. The logic behind the question about the rainx product was that such a product might lubricate the screen, stopping the wiper blade skipping.

[rufusking]

Does anybody use RainX or another product that may affect the performance of the wipers?


I originally started using RainX when I lived in Denver, helps stopping the snow sticking to the windscreen, side windows and mirrors.

I've put it on all my D4 glass since new and need to reapply it at least annually. It's pretty obvious when it's wearing off as the water stops beading. Personally I like the product, certainly don't need to use the wipers as much and at highway speeds the screen pretty much becomes self clearing as the water beads and flow up the screen and away. Same effect on the side glass.

Haven't had any issues with the wipers skipping or squeaking but I do replace them pretty much annually.

I've found the rear wiper difficult to source in AU other than through the dealers (~$45) so I order 2 at a time from a UK eBay seller which works out less than half price.

[Disco-tastic]

The rear wiper on mine (D3) appears to be a standard steel flex arm with a replaceable blade. I take it the D4 is different?

Cheers

Dan

[l00kin4]

The rear wiper on mine (D3) appears to be a standard steel flex arm with a replaceable blade. I take it the D4 is different?

Cheers

Dan



I have a Bosch BBE400 ECO ( https://au.bosch-automotive-shop.com/en/products/details/-/productdetails/3397004941) on the back of my MY14 D4. Seemed pretty standard although was a bit fiddly to get off I recall


David

[Disco-tastic]

Yeah that looks like mine. Pretty standard i think.


Cheers

Dan

[LandyAndy]

The anti rain products cause "chattering" as the product wears off.If you use the stuff the first time they chatter is the time to re-apply;);););););).
They do stop chattering once its worn off.
D4 has been good,I use Rainex,D2 I gave up on Rainex.In the past Ive used in on various Falcons,Ford cannot make a window wiper:(:(:(:(:(,it helps but you have to keep the rain product up to the glass.Even the Territory has shocking noisy poor wipers:(:(:(:(:(:(
Andrew

[Disco-tastic]

Thanks Andy. That was what i wanted to know. :thumbup:

Cheers

Dan

[Drizzle]

Do you know where the lucas brands are available?

Cheers

Dan



Sorry, no idea where the mechanic sources them from. A quick google search didn't reveal any Australian suppliers. These are on eBay which are still sent from the UK:
Land Rover Discovery 3 NEW Windscreen Wiper Blades Blade SET X2 Lucas Brand | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVER-DISCOVERY-3-NEW-WINDSCREEN-WIPER-BLADES-BLADE-SET-X2-LUCAS-BRAND-OEM-/290955432057)

I intended to replace the old ones with a set of Bosch wiper blades when the mechanic made a pre-emptive strike with the Lucas blades. I don't think they're anything special, they just do the job they were designed for, which the Sillblades didn't do for me.

[The Fizz]

Seriously guys. I can't fault the Wipertech product. Free same day delivery in Sydney (express for the rest of the country) take about 30 seconds to fit, and a great product.

Disclaimer - I have no affiliation with Wipertech. I just appreciate good service and products. I was the first customer to buy for my VW TOUAREG (wife's taxi) and the owner specifically sought out a Touareg to test fit first, AND made a uTube video to show me how to fit them. A good Aussie company doing good business.

Here is the link to D4 blades.

https://www.wipertech.com.au/2009-current-land-rover-discovery-iv-wipers

You can buy front, rear, or a set. $49, $29, or $69 respectively.

[giskard]

I recently had a windscreen replaced on my D4 and the Obriens guy talk d me into replacement Bosche wipers at the same time. They work well, but I'm noticing wind noise now on the highway when they're not in use. Anyone else seeing this? I'd always been happy with the OEM jobbies, but guessing they're expensive...

[BMKal]

Does anybody use RainX or another product that may affect the performance of the wipers?

Cheers

Dan

I have used RainX on the D4 since I purchased it. Applied about once every three months.

A while back, I came across a product called Nanokote. I was looking for a product to use on a new glass shower screen in a bathroom that we had just renovated. I saw on their web-site that they also do a product for car windscreens, so I bought some.

Have used this on the D4, the wife's Camry and also on the young bloke's Amarok - it has been on for more than 6 months now, and still working as good as the day it was applied, on all three vehicles. It does virtually the same job as RainX, but lasts much longer between applications. Similar to apply, but requires a little more "buffing" than RainX to give a perfectly clear finish.

I still have the original wiper blades on my D4 (they have survived well over 100,000km now) - have never needed to replace any of them (rear windscreen included). They all still work as good as new - but I also very rarely turn the wipers on - the glass treatment does the job for me in all but light "drizzle" or very heavy rainfall (and it doesn't rain a lot in Kalgoorlie compared to some places). ;)

[Disco-tastic]

I just checked the nanokote website and couldnt find the car product (only the bathroom one). Any chance you could find a link to it?

Cheers

Dan

[BMKal]

I just checked the nanokote website and couldnt find the car product (only the bathroom one). Any chance you could find a link to it?

Cheers

Dan

I have a funny idea that the auto product is only available through Nanokote WA and it looks like they may be going to drop them from their range.

I suppose I should grab a few bottles of it myself in case it is no longer available when I need some.

Nanokote DIY Auto Glass - Nanokote WA (http://www.nanokotewa.com.au/product/nanokote-diy-auto-glass/)

[Patrick C]

Bosch works good for me
Yes you do need the two different part numbers as shown

[Disco-tastic]

I have a funny idea that the auto product is only available through Nanokote WA and it looks like they may be going to drop them from their range.

I suppose I should grab a few bottles of it myself in case it is no longer available when I need some.

Nanokote DIY Auto Glass - Nanokote WA (http://www.nanokotewa.com.au/product/nanokote-diy-auto-glass/)

Thanks BMKal.

Just got 2 packs for $50 delivered. Same price as a new set of blades. As the blades wipe clean when they work i hope it fixes the problem. Or at least makes the screen repellent enough i dont need wipers! :D

Cheers

Dan

[BMKal]

When you put it on, give the windscreen 2 coats before buffing / polishing. Each bottle should give you enough to do the front windscreen with 2 coats, plus a single coat on the rear windscreen. (I used a couple of bottles and did all the glass, including side windows and mirrors).

Also, wear surgical gloves or similar when applying the stuff - it stings if it gets into your skin, especially if you have any nicks or scratches (like I had from playing with the neighbour's Boxer pups). :D

And don't rub your eyes while using this stuff whatever you do .................. :eek:

[Disco-tastic]

Haha sounds like good stuff!

Why 2 coats for first application?

If i have any left after the front and rear from a bottle i will do the mirrors - good idea.

Cheers

Dan

[RHS58]

I just checked the nanokote website and couldnt find the car product (only the bathroom one). Any chance you could find a link to it?

Cheers

Dan

All probably the same stuff.
I've been using RainX on the shower screen and tiles in the bathrooms - keeps the soap scum to a minimum.
Thinking about using it on the basins as well as toilet bowls - hoping maybe the **** won't stick...

[BMKal]

I've found that giving it two coats provides a better coverage and better long term protection on the front windscreen. Used to do the same with RainX. ;)

Mirrors only require a very quick wipe with the application cloth moistened with the product.

Don't use on headlights though - I wouldn't risk putting the solvent that is in this product on a polycarbonate lens (same for RainX - I never put this on my lights either).

The product for auto windscreens is quite probably the same as the product for bathroom shower and tiles. Simple way for them to make a quick profit if you look at the cost of a 12ml bottle for the car vs the cost of the larger bottle for the bathroom. ;)

I used to use RainX in the bathroom of the apartment I had down in Perth, which had a lot of glass (large shower enclosure and mirror). I found that the shower screen treated with RainX actually stayed cleaner after daily use than does the new bathroom we have at home treated with Nanocote - but the RainX does not last anywhere as long as the Nanocote treatment. I used to re-apply the RainX at least once every 2 or 3 months, whereas the Nanocote is claimed to last up to 5 years (we've only had it on for about 6 months so far, so I can't comment on the accuracy of their claim for a while yet).

The bathroom glass does get a bit dirtier with the Nanocote treatment on a daily basis than did RainX treated glass - but it is very easy to clean. My impression is that, in the longer term, Nanocote will be cheaper option than regular applications of RainX - and less work. That's certainly what we're seeing so far.

Haven't thought of trying either product in the dunny bowl. I think the design / shape of the bowl has a lot to do with how clean they stay. The one I had down in Perth was a poor design, and regularly displayed skid marks (as does the one out on the back verandah behind the house up here). The two in the bathrooms inside the house are a different design pan (and cost a lot more) - and the design of these is such that the **** lands in the water and rarely leaves any unwanted marking on the sides of the bowl - I have learnt not to buy cheap dunny bowls (or cisterns) from places like Bunnings - far better to pay the extra and buy from a decent supplier like Reece or similar.

How did we get from windscreen wiper blades to this topic .......... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Disco-tastic]

Haha ive had that problem with the new water saver toilets - maybe the bosch wipers would work? :p

Cheers

Dan

[LRD414]

Imagine what newbies will think if they mis-read the last couple of posts: "I have to do what with my wiper blades:confused::confused: put them in a toilet bowl?. I'm buying a Landcruiser."

Scott

[LRD414]

Try Wipertech. They have aero wipers that work great, very competitive prices, and free express shipping.
I have personally used them and am very happy.


I've used wipertech.com.au for 4 cars in the family fleet.
Competitive prices, and the product works well, and still going well after over 12 months.
Based on this feedback I recently bought Wipertech kits for both the D4 and our little Alfa.
https://www.wipertech.com.au
Good fit and good operation so far too.
10% off voucher for 2nd set which I'm going to take up.

Cheers,
Scott

[Mungus]

Just beware, I have heard from two work mates who experienced this first hand, that any little cracks cannot be repaired, as the product they use to repair windscreens will not adhere after you have used Rain-X.

[chuck]

Fitted a set of Bosch 550 replacement wiper blades today.

Very Happy

Got them from Sparesbox who were competitive with quick delivery.

Got some Glym windscreen additive which then qualified me for free delivery.

Disappointed OEM's did not last two years.

[RHS58]

Had Bosch wiper blades. Lasted less than 12 months.
I have now gone back to Wipertech across the whole fleet - D4 and 2 Hondas.
Reasonably priced, happy with the quality, and delivered to the door.

[Celtoid]

I fitted Wipertech blades for my D4 a few weeks ago .... impressed thus far.