Bosch Icon 24" Wiper Blade doesn't touch glass in center - LotusTalk

NorCal · 08-24-2009, 09:24 PM

The Bosch Icon 24" Wiper Blade is highly recommended on other threads.

Just bought one and installed it, but it is naturally very curved. It doesn't touch the glass in the center.

Anyone else had this issue with this particular Bosch blade?

fpitas · 08-25-2009, 05:07 AM

If that one doesn't work out, I'm using the Valeo 24", it works well for me.

NorCal · 08-25-2009, 01:05 PM

Just went out with a spray bottle filled with water... the Bosch Icon 24" blade only scrapes on the edges of the wiper on my 05 Elise. In the center, it is so curved, that it doesn't even make contact with the glass.

Am I supposed to "unbend" it or something?

Implosion · 08-25-2009, 04:44 PM

Wasn't an issue for me, same wiper, 05 Elise. The outboard end flies a bit (1.5") in resting position, but makes contact w/ the glass w/in two inches of sweeping. No issues at all in the middle. Those blades do seem to have a remarkable amount of built-in deflection, though.

Wicked · 08-25-2009, 06:14 PM

I had the same problem with the Bosch Icon blade and the Valeo blade as well. The only thing that seems to work is the stock Lotus blade on my '06 Elise. The others leave a football sized patch of water in the center of the windshield.

Dave

NorCal · 08-25-2009, 10:23 PM

Yeah, that's exactly what I am getting... good description there... a football size patch in the center of the windshield.

Anyone know where to get a stock blade at a reasonable cost?

Dead Duck · 08-25-2009, 11:06 PM

I have an 05 Elise and I use the 24" Rain-x Latitude wiperblade. It's similar to the Bosch and it's cheaper. $18 at Orchard Hardware. Oh! the only missed spot is on the very bottom right on the passenger side. Which I don't care about.

Wicked · 08-26-2009, 03:17 PM

I think I paid $17.00 at the Lotus dealer for the replacement blade that fixed the problem. I asked them to let me put it on the Elise and prove it worked before I paid for it. I had originally put the Icon blade on because the original Lotus blade was dried out from sitting on the lot before I bought the car and it also had started to produce the same football sized spot.

Dave

Implosion · 10-02-2009, 08:49 PM

I just finally d/l'ed my pictures.

This is the bosch icon 24" blade mounted. the outboard end flies in resting position ~1.5" (compare to blaupunkt badge on speaker). Has not been an issue at all in the rain. In fact, I suspect the usable area the 26" might provide is pretty marginal, since the top of the sweep radius would be up in the visor area.

nockpoint · 10-03-2009, 07:26 PM

You got the "a" right? Mine is the
Bosch 424A ICON Wiper Blade - 24"

It's a great wiper on the 06. I only have an inch or so at the tip that doesn't contact the windscreen just as Implosion posted a pic of. Compared to the stock wiper, which to be fair was probably sitting out in the sun on the lot, it's 99% better. When this one wears out I'm definitely getting another Bosch.

Implosion · 10-03-2009, 08:12 PM

Correct, I have the same model you reference (424A).

FIL · 10-03-2009, 08:22 PM

Rain-X @ +70mph is better than any wiper.

Besides, you shouldn't drive the Elise in the rain. It is not waterproof...

Implosion · 10-03-2009, 08:24 PM

100% agree with that statement. It has yet to see anything more dense than SF fog, and won't, if I can help it.

TimMullen · 10-05-2009, 11:27 AM

I just don't understand...

You pay $15-20 for an "improved" wiper blade that doesn't work instead of just spending $3 for a Trico rubber refill insert and have one that works just fine.

It's the Trico 45-260 refill that fits - sometimes you have to take the original metal rails from the OEM blade and use them with the new rubber but it's simple. Here's one post about it.

Just make sure that you insert the new rubber insert into the blade holder from the inside such that the "clip" that holds the rubber in place is toward the "inside" (center of the windshield) and not the "outside" (far end/outside/etc) of the blade holder - it lets the blade stretch out from the "centrifugal" forces and forces it to lie flat on the glass as it moves.

For the record my stock OEM type of blade removes 100% of the water from the windshield, so there is no way to "improve" on it.

foosh · 10-05-2009, 11:30 AM

Here's another tip on wiper blades. Buy a can of silicone spray, soak a paper towel with it, and wipe it liberally on the blades. It will transform what many think are worn out blades into ones that perform as new. If you use it routinely even on new ones, you can extend their life dramatically.

nockpoint · 10-09-2009, 07:52 PM

Tim -- reason I replaced my stock wiper blade is because of the extreme chatter. After doing a search here on Lotustalk to see I wasn't the only one with that experience, the Bosch seemed the way to go. Not sure why it's not working for for Implosion... perhaps the one he purchased was faulty.

08-24-2009, 09:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
NorCal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 55	Bosch Icon 24" Wiper Blade doesn't touch glass in center The Bosch Icon 24" Wiper Blade is highly recommended on other threads. Just bought one and installed it, but it is naturally very curved. It doesn't touch the glass in the center. Anyone else had this issue with this particular Bosch blade? Last edited by NorCal : 08-25-2009 at 08:52 AM.

08-25-2009, 05:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
fpitas User, Registered Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 1,827	If that one doesn't work out, I'm using the Valeo 24", it works well for me. __________________ Francis 2006 Chrome Orange Elise: LSD/TC, Nitron SAs with 425/650 springs, BWR 7/8" Front Bar, Eliseparts bumpsteer kit, VF Stage 2, 2bular Header + Sport Cat + 8x24 GT3 Muffler, ECU Tune by Jermaine, Smaay's fuel rail, ACT XT clutch, Saikou Michi dual catch can, Moroso pan, Manly's mount inserts & FF Engine Damper 2000 Black Integra Type R: - 213,000 miles...running again!

08-25-2009, 04:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Implosion On a slippery slope... Join Date: May 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 120	Wasn't an issue for me, same wiper, 05 Elise. The outboard end flies a bit (1.5") in resting position, but makes contact w/ the glass w/in two inches of sweeping. No issues at all in the middle. Those blades do seem to have a remarkable amount of built-in deflection, though. __________________ 2005 Nightfall Blue Lotus Elise

08-25-2009, 06:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Wicked Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 162	I had the same problem with the Bosch Icon blade and the Valeo blade as well. The only thing that seems to work is the stock Lotus blade on my '06 Elise. The others leave a football sized patch of water in the center of the windshield. Dave __________________ 06' STi Elise, LSS, LSD-TC, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Katana SC, HIDs and Manly's motor mounts, No More Larini SE w/Euro grills = No More P0171 Codes

08-26-2009, 03:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Wicked Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 162	I think I paid $17.00 at the Lotus dealer for the replacement blade that fixed the problem. I asked them to let me put it on the Elise and prove it worked before I paid for it. I had originally put the Icon blade on because the original Lotus blade was dried out from sitting on the lot before I bought the car and it also had started to produce the same football sized spot. Dave __________________ 06' STi Elise, LSS, LSD-TC, Touring, Hard Top, Star Shield, Katana SC, HIDs and Manly's motor mounts, No More Larini SE w/Euro grills = No More P0171 Codes

08-25-2009, 01:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
NorCal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 55	Just went out with a spray bottle filled with water... the Bosch Icon 24" blade only scrapes on the edges of the wiper on my 05 Elise. In the center, it is so curved, that it doesn't even make contact with the glass. Am I supposed to "unbend" it or something?

08-25-2009, 10:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
NorCal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 55	Yeah, that's exactly what I am getting... good description there... a football size patch in the center of the windshield. Anyone know where to get a stock blade at a reasonable cost?

08-25-2009, 11:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dead Duck Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 145	I have an 05 Elise and I use the 24" Rain-x Latitude wiperblade. It's similar to the Bosch and it's cheaper. $18 at Orchard Hardware. Oh! the only missed spot is on the very bottom right on the passenger side. Which I don't care about.

10-02-2009, 08:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Implosion On a slippery slope... Join Date: May 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 120	I just finally d/l'ed my pictures. This is the bosch icon 24" blade mounted. the outboard end flies in resting position ~1.5" (compare to blaupunkt badge on speaker). Has not been an issue at all in the rain. In fact, I suspect the usable area the 26" might provide is pretty marginal, since the top of the sweep radius would be up in the visor area. Attached Images __________________ 2005 Nightfall Blue Lotus Elise

10-03-2009, 07:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
nockpoint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 816	You got the "a" right? Mine is the Bosch 424A ICON Wiper Blade - 24" It's a great wiper on the 06. I only have an inch or so at the tip that doesn't contact the windscreen just as Implosion posted a pic of. Compared to the stock wiper, which to be fair was probably sitting out in the sun on the lot, it's 99% better. When this one wears out I'm definitely getting another Bosch. __________________ Skittles - taste the rainbow of bite sized cars --- EuroSunday

10-03-2009, 08:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Implosion On a slippery slope... Join Date: May 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 120	Correct, I have the same model you reference (424A). __________________ 2005 Nightfall Blue Lotus Elise

10-03-2009, 08:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
FIL Serial Thrilla Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 236	Rain-X @ +70mph is better than any wiper. Besides, you shouldn't drive the Elise in the rain. It is not waterproof... __________________ 05' Elise - BWR supercharger, Quaife LSD, Nitron Race Triple Adjustable, LETSLA, Larini Decat, Larini Exhuast, ACT HDSS, Fidanza flywheel, V2 Fuel Tank, V2 Steering Arms, BWR sway bar, desnorkled, ForcedFed CF splitter, Manly's engine mounts, S111 harness bar, Schroth harness w/ S111 seat grommets, Oil Drain Valve, Painted Black Diffuser, Braille battery, Custom Battery Switch 05' Corvette - Z51 Convertible - 630hp 6.6L [DON'T YOU JUDGE ME!!!] (SOLD!)

10-03-2009, 08:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Implosion On a slippery slope... Join Date: May 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 120	100% agree with that statement. It has yet to see anything more dense than SF fog, and won't, if I can help it. __________________ 2005 Nightfall Blue Lotus Elise

10-05-2009, 11:27 AM	#14 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 11,382 Images: 19	I just don't understand... You pay $15-20 for an "improved" wiper blade that doesn't work instead of just spending $3 for a Trico rubber refill insert and have one that works just fine. It's the Trico 45-260 refill that fits - sometimes you have to take the original metal rails from the OEM blade and use them with the new rubber but it's simple. Here's one post about it. Just make sure that you insert the new rubber insert into the blade holder from the inside such that the "clip" that holds the rubber in place is toward the "inside" (center of the windshield) and not the "outside" (far end/outside/etc) of the blade holder - it lets the blade stretch out from the "centrifugal" forces and forces it to lie flat on the glass as it moves. For the record my stock OEM type of blade removes 100% of the water from the windshield, so there is no way to "improve" on it. __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

10-05-2009, 11:30 AM	#15 (permalink)
foosh AR #0369 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 804 Images: 4	Here's another tip on wiper blades. Buy a can of silicone spray, soak a paper towel with it, and wipe it liberally on the blades. It will transform what many think are worn out blades into ones that perform as new. If you use it routinely even on new ones, you can extend their life dramatically.

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10-09-2009, 07:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
nockpoint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 816	Tim -- reason I replaced my stock wiper blade is because of the extreme chatter. After doing a search here on Lotustalk to see I wasn't the only one with that experience, the Bosch seemed the way to go. Not sure why it's not working for for Implosion... perhaps the one he purchased was faulty. __________________ Skittles - taste the rainbow of bite sized cars --- EuroSunday