Found a cheap Wiper Replacement - LotusTalk

turbophil · 12-27-2005, 02:04 PM

I'm about 2 weeks into Elise ownership, and found that my new Elise came with a pretty bad factory wiper. I did some searching and found this to be common but 26" replacements weren't real easy to find---for cheap (found several expensive units on the net, but I hate paying big $$ for something with such a short life).

I hit the same road block at Autozone and similar, BUT I found 2 selections for the full replacement at Walmart of all places

They are just standard 26" replacements. They have the Rain-X version which works great, especially for 7 bucks

Thought I would throw it out there...

Happy New Year!

Terminus · 12-27-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbophil

I'm about 2 weeks into Elise ownership, and found that my new Elise came with a pretty bad factory wiper.

Seems to vary. The one that came on my car (Dec 2004) was terrible from day one. Recently replaced the entire blade assembly with a new factory one and it works great.

Goose · 12-27-2005, 02:38 PM

Thank you, Phil, for sharing this information. Tips such as these are one of the more valuable aspects of an Owners' Forum.

Anybody can go to their dealer and have the blade replaced...

soulmn · 12-27-2005, 06:27 PM

That's funny, I just got mine at walmart three days ago.

It was like eight bucks. Two diff types too. It looks like, due to the curve in the windsheild, we will have to replace wipers often.

soulman

turbophil · 12-27-2005, 08:06 PM

Soulmn-
Great minds must think alike...I have to assume that most Elise owners are doing OK financially (to say the least), but I also assume that we got that way in-part by making wise decisions on all the little stuff....like wiper blades...'er that's what I tell the wife when she wants to buy new clothes every friggin weekend

Stan · 12-27-2005, 08:26 PM

Been using the Michelin brand wipers on my car for some time, they look nice too. Walmart had them.

turbophil · 12-27-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan

Been using the Michelin brand wipers on my car for some time, they look nice too. Walmart had them.

I picked up both the Rain X and the Michelin. However, through careful analysis I found that the Rain X weighed a bit less and returned the Michelin

khamai · 12-27-2005, 09:29 PM

Anyone have the part numbers for these replacements?
Michelin
Trico
RainX
Bosch

Fill-in if you've got the number.

Thanks,
Kiyoshi

P.S. I'll add the part #s to the GGLC parts cross reference listing

R T · 12-27-2005, 11:32 PM

I've been using the Walmart sourced Michelin rubber insert (had to buy the entire assembly but just used the rubber insert) on the stock assembly with good results.

Dave · 12-28-2005, 06:35 AM

For the non-Wallys, this is good super-silicone refill from PIAA (10 bucks):
http://www.stylinconcepts.com/part.aspx?partid=471332

SweetDaddyD · 12-28-2005, 09:24 AM

I've been curious about those Silicone PIAA wiper blades. Have you actually tried it? Any good or just hype? My wiper is so/so, now that I have finally got the rubber insert to stay in it. It was contantly working it's way out.

I'm still a huge fan of rain X window treatment. With it, not much use of the wipers required. It somehow entertains my simple mind too.

FlyLo · 12-28-2005, 09:59 AM

I have been happy with both the Silicon and Graphite wiper blades from PIAA. www.PepBoys.com sells them with free shipping. The Silicone blades supposedly coat your windshield, but I'm not convinced this is a good thing.

Dave · 12-28-2005, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

I've been curious about those Silicone PIAA wiper blades. Have you actually tried it? Any good or just hype?

Regarding hype and it actually 'coating' the windshield...dunno, maybe. All I know is I'm using one now, and it works very well - a vast improvement over the OEM. I'm a fan of RainX as well...

roadrunner · 12-29-2005, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbophil

I picked up both the Rain X and the Michelin. However, through careful analysis I found that the Rain X weighed a bit less and returned the Michelin

I hefted both the RainX and the Michelin - RainX definitely felt lighter to me, so I took that...

About $8 and change at Wally World.

ChrisH · 12-29-2005, 02:18 PM

I have the 26" PIAA blades on my wife's minivan. They work well, and don't chatter or squeal (another important aspect of a good wiper blade).

doma · 12-31-2005, 01:45 AM

Thanks for the information guys. I'm gonna try and replace my wiper blade this weekend. The winter rains have started and my factory wiper is just awful. It sweeps most of the windshield except for the space directly infront of the driver. Seems to not even contact the windshield for a 6 inch by 10 inch area. Anyway, I'll try and find the blades you are talking about at a WalMart this weekend.

12-27-2005, 02:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 2,544 Images: 6	Found a cheap Wiper Replacement I'm about 2 weeks into Elise ownership, and found that my new Elise came with a pretty bad factory wiper. I did some searching and found this to be common but 26" replacements weren't real easy to find---for cheap (found several expensive units on the net, but I hate paying big $$ for something with such a short life). I hit the same road block at Autozone and similar, BUT I found 2 selections for the full replacement at Walmart of all places They are just standard 26" replacements. They have the Rain-X version which works great, especially for 7 bucks Thought I would throw it out there... Happy New Year! __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 280whp/180wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| BOE Fuel Surge System \| BOE Lotus Tow Package See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 9/25/2009* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing... *Whoever thought working on a Lotus is hard, clearly hasn't tried it. Pick up a wrench and get some grease under your nails*

12-27-2005, 02:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Goose Bucket of Cold Water Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The cornfields of Ohio Posts: 1,078	Thank you, Phil, for sharing this information. Tips such as these are one of the more valuable aspects of an Owners' Forum. Anybody can go to their dealer and have the blade replaced... __________________ Kevin Magnetic Blue/Hardtop/Starshield - sold 5/17/05

12-27-2005, 08:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 2,544 Images: 6	Soulmn- Great minds must think alike...I have to assume that most Elise owners are doing OK financially (to say the least), but I also assume that we got that way in-part by making wise decisions on all the little stuff....like wiper blades...'er that's what I tell the wife when she wants to buy new clothes every friggin weekend __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 280whp/180wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| BOE Fuel Surge System \| BOE Lotus Tow Package See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 9/25/2009* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing... *Whoever thought working on a Lotus is hard, clearly hasn't tried it. Pick up a wrench and get some grease under your nails*

12-27-2005, 09:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
khamai Plain ol' Lotus-nut Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 3,562	Anyone have the part numbers for these replacements? Michelin Trico RainX Bosch Fill-in if you've got the number. Thanks, Kiyoshi P.S. I'll add the part #s to the GGLC parts cross reference listing __________________ life is better behind the wheel of a Lotus...

12-28-2005, 06:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dave Mods are good for you Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,960	For the non-Wallys, this is good super-silicone refill from PIAA (10 bucks): http://www.stylinconcepts.com/part.aspx?partid=471332 __________________ 2008 Solar S240 Exige 2005 Saffron Elise - BOE TVS Supercharger 291WHP w/ EFI Engine Mgmt

12-27-2005, 06:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
soulmn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 435	That's funny, I just got mine at walmart three days ago. It was like eight bucks. Two diff types too. It looks like, due to the curve in the windsheild, we will have to replace wipers often. soulman

12-27-2005, 08:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	Been using the Michelin brand wipers on my car for some time, they look nice too. Walmart had them.

12-27-2005, 11:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
R T Registered Loser Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 595	I've been using the Walmart sourced Michelin rubber insert (had to buy the entire assembly but just used the rubber insert) on the stock assembly with good results.

12-28-2005, 09:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	I've been curious about those Silicone PIAA wiper blades. Have you actually tried it? Any good or just hype? My wiper is so/so, now that I have finally got the rubber insert to stay in it. It was contantly working it's way out. I'm still a huge fan of rain X window treatment. With it, not much use of the wipers required. It somehow entertains my simple mind too.

12-28-2005, 09:59 AM	#12 (permalink)
FlyLo Laughin' Easy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,863	I have been happy with both the Silicon and Graphite wiper blades from PIAA. www.PepBoys.com sells them with free shipping. The Silicone blades supposedly coat your windshield, but I'm not convinced this is a good thing.

12-29-2005, 02:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
ChrisH Mountain Road Nut Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ramona,CA Posts: 2,290	I have the 26" PIAA blades on my wife's minivan. They work well, and don't chatter or squeal (another important aspect of a good wiper blade).

12-31-2005, 01:45 AM	#16 (permalink)
doma '05 SY #0038 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Belmont, CA Posts: 2,260 Images: 6	Thanks for the information guys. I'm gonna try and replace my wiper blade this weekend. The winter rains have started and my factory wiper is just awful. It sweeps most of the windshield except for the space directly infront of the driver. Seems to not even contact the windshield for a 6 inch by 10 inch area. Anyway, I'll try and find the blades you are talking about at a WalMart this weekend. __________________ Braille Battery - Micromirror - Alpine Head Unit & Speakers - HID Headlights - H&T Pad - Snorkel Delete - Non Dust Brake Pads - JL Stealthbox - JL Amps - Sirius Sat - Rudolph Antlers and Nose Kit Astronomy Picture of the Day

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