What wiper refill fits the stock blade?

[SweetDaddyD]

So, I've searched and read through all the wiper threads (so I think) to not arrive on a very solid conclusion on what works and what doesn't. The stock wiper was fine for quite a while and I see no need to change the frame.

What variation of Bosch is the stock blade, or what refill(s) have been found to fit the stock frame and who had them in stock?

Thanks.

[babak]

I bought a refil from autozone for $5, fit perfectly.

[SweetDaddyD]

Originally Posted by babak

I bought a refil from autozone for $5, fit perfectly.

Just a Bosch refill? Did it have any special name, Excell or anything? Last time I checked Autozone (a long time ago though) they didn't have any listed or that big. Guess I'll check again.

[glb]

IIRC, Consumer Reports liked the Anco Premium, which costs about $10 and work fine.

[®ob]

Toyota Celica refill from the driver's side. I told them an 03 model. Got it from the Toyota dealer.

[LARRY]

I tried EVERY refill and every blade replacement.

Nothing worked right.

So once a year----I get a new Lotus wiper.

Works fine.

[lpmnorth]

I replaced the whole blade with a Trico 26-1 from Pep Boys.

The ends needed a little tweak to fit the curvature on the windshield. Works Great!

And with the holes drilled in it I probably save an ounce or two of weight.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

Just a Bosch refill? Did it have any special name, Excell or anything? Last time I checked Autozone (a long time ago though) they didn't have any listed or that big. Guess I'll check again.

Measure the length of the rubber part. Then go to the auto parts store and get a refill that is that long (usually two to a pack). They normally come in two "widths", regular and narrow. Ours is regular I believe.

Just make sure that when you install it, that you slide it into the frame from the center of the car so that the retaining "clip" is toward the center.

[babak]

Originally Posted by SweetDaddyD

Just a Bosch refill? Did it have any special name, Excell or anything? Last time I checked Autozone (a long time ago though) they didn't have any listed or that big. Guess I'll check again.

He had it in his database and gave me the proper one off the rack.

[®ob]

Originally Posted by LARRY

I tried EVERY refill and every blade replacement.

Nothing worked right.

So once a year----I get a new Lotus wiper.

Works fine.

You clearly didn't try the Toyota refill. It works great.

[Smitty]

I went to Autozone and bought a 26-inch Bosch. I elected to get the type that BMW has been using for years and is appearing on most new German vehicles. It works very well.

<img src="http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7417/wipercg2.jpg">

[RoadDad]

Threadjack.... Smitty, what is that white mass near your rear view mirror?

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by RoadDad

Threadjack.... Smitty, what is that white mass near your rear view mirror?

It's an RFID pass for toll booths.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I went to Autozone and bought a 26-inch Bosch. I elected to get the type that BMW has been using for years and is appearing on most new German vehicles. It works very well.

Except that it doesn't make contact at the far end of the windshield.

The stock blade works great for most people. Make sure that the clip is toward the center - if it is at the outside, the rubber will bunch up and not do a good job.

[RoadDad]

Originally Posted by Smitty

It's an RFID pass for toll booths.

Thank you, sir. Please excuse the ignorance of those of us who haven't seen a toll booth since typing a college term paper on a Smith-Corona.

[lucksta]

24" Bosch Icon or Valeo both work well. Here's a good comparison. I've had the Bosch for two years now and it still works like a dream.

-Chuck

[buzzy]

I ditched mine and went back to the Lotus Blade. The 24in Icon doesn't touch the screen for the full wipe.

Originally Posted by lucksta

24" Bosch Icon or Valeo both work well. Here's a good comparison. I've had the Bosch for two years now and it still works like a dream.

-Chuck

[RoadDad]

Originally Posted by buzzy

I ditched mine and went back to the Lotus Blade. The 24in Icon doesn't touch the screen for the full wipe.

I think that's why SweetDaddyD wants to find a replacement blade for the Lotus frame without paying $24 for a new Lotus wiper frame.

It's almost impossible to get my rubber out of my frame and find something that fits. I've tried Rain-x, bosch, anco or something like that from walmart, and a Michelin refill. All with no luck. I may just break down and buy a whole new Lotus wiper.

[SweetDaddyD]

RoadDad, you are correct. Well I went with the 26" Bosch Icon after stopping at 3 autoparts stores, none of them having any refills at all. And all talking up the Icon as the greatest wiper to ever grace a windshield. It does wipe quite nicely in fact, as it should for $25.56. The outside 3 inches or so don't actually sit on the windshield, nor does about the first inside inch. Even the stock one didn't sit on the glass at the outside. It wipes very clean and misses the very outside corners, about 3 inches wide by 4 tall on the pass side and a smaller different shape triangle on the drivers. Overall a huge improvement of my 22 month old daily driven wiper.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by RoadDad

I think that's why SweetDaddyD wants to find a replacement blade for the Lotus frame without paying $24 for a new Lotus wiper frame.

It's almost impossible to get my rubber out of my frame and find something that fits. I've tried Rain-x, bosch, anco or something like that from walmart, and a Michelin refill. All with no luck. I may just break down and buy a whole new Lotus wiper.

i recall only paying 15 for mine.