Windshield Wiper Question

[rclee]

Hi all, I just bought a new set of wiper blades for my 22 XLT. According to the Rain X catalog the driver side is 22 inch and the passenger is 21 inch. I pulled the driver side and compared it to the Rain X blade I purchased, there was a one inch difference. The original blade is 23 inches but the catalog spec's it as 22 inch.

Do I really have a UNICORN when it comes to wiper blades? Could someone check their drivers side and tell me the length of the blade from end to end?

BTW the passenger is 21 inch like the catalog says (and that is the noisy one when using the delay setting)

Thanks Rob

Sponsored

 

[Tailender]

I don't have the original blades but as long as the longer one doesn't hit anything, it shouldn't be a problem. You are correct that the drivers side is supposed to be 22 inches.

 

[Ranch]

I just measured my OE LH wiper blade and it's 22 3/4".

 

[Tim d]

Hi all, I just bought a new set of wiper blades for my 22 XLT. According to the Rain X catalog the driver side is 22 inch and the passenger is 21 inch. I pulled the driver side and compared it to the Rain X blade I purchased, there was a one inch difference. The original blade is 23 inches but the catalog spec's it as 22 inch.

Do I really have a UNICORN when it comes to wiper blades? Could someone check their drivers side and tell me the length of the blade from end to end?

BTW the passenger is 21 inch like the catalog says (and that is the noisy one when using the delay setting)

Thanks Rob

Curious if the blades were defective from the factory? I typically replace every 6-8 years.

 

[MaverickEVwouldBeNice]

Curious if the blades were defective from the factory? I typically replace every 6-8 years.

Where do you live? Does it only rain twice a year?

I've not had blades last longer than two years, and I don't buy the cheapest I can find.

 

[Tim d]

Where do you live? Does it only rain twice a year?

I've not had blades last longer than two years, and I don't buy the cheapest I can find.

Upper Michigan. I clean them with comet and water every fall then dress with armor all. My ram is 14 years old and I've only replaced the blades once so far

 

[GPSMan]

Curious if the blades were defective from the factory? I typically replace every 6-8 years.

The "rubber" blades are good for 2 years. 3 tops.

You probably replaced them and forgot. Or got "curtesy" replacements done during an oil change here or there.

They won't necessarily fall off in 6-8 years but won't work well either.

I'll walk that back a little bit.
My last TWO vehicles I had on 3 year leases I never changed them. Seemed just fine at the 3 year return.

So 4 years seems totally possible.

 

[icegradner]

Where do you live? Does it only rain twice a year?

I've not had blades last longer than two years, and I don't buy the cheapest I can find.

UV from sunlight, or running them when the window is dry, does far more damage to the blades than using them for rain or snow. I live in a coastal rain forest, don't change my blades very often either. Maybe every 4-5 years. I've always used OEM blades. This is my first Ford/American OEM vehicle though.

 

[MaverickEVwouldBeNice]

UV from sunlight, or running them when the window is dry, does far more damage to the blades than using them for rain or snow. I live in a coastal rain forest, don't change my blades very often either. Maybe every 4-5 years. I've always used OEM blades. This is my first Ford/American OEM vehicle though.

That would explain some of my blades. I lived in central TX for 8 years, don't tell my insurance company, but my vehicles weren't as regularly garaged as they may have thought.

Now I live in eastern WA, our summers are near as hot (and drier) as they were in TX, just slightly shorter.

My wiper blades last through a couple of winters, max, but I do admit that I am not as good about cleaning them as @Tim d

 

[rclee]

Mine are almost 20 months old and are starting to chatter across the windshield. On my Honda Element, I would get about 2 years on the factory replacement wiper refills.

BTW has anyone measured their drivers side other than @Ranch ?

 

[Samus]

Mine are almost 20 months old and are starting to chatter across the windshield. On my Honda Element, I would get about 2 years on the factory replacement wiper refills.

BTW has anyone measured their drivers side other than @Ranch ?

Just did. 23" The squeegee part itself was less.

 

[Montana]

Drivers side: WW2054
Passenger side: WW2249

For the price, they are great blades. I've even disassembled mine and flipped the rubber once so far. I bought a second set just to have as extra, but I plan on flipping the blade until I no longer can. A little effort compared to some blades to flip, but I'm not paying $30+ for the same quality of wiper blades from another brand. The rubber is no different.

Also:
Chatter fix


My part list post

 

[rclee]

Just did. 23" The squeegee part itself was less.

Thanks @Samus that is what mine looks like too.

 

[rclee]

Drivers side: WW2054
Passenger side: WW2249

For the price, they are great blades. I've even disassembled mine and flipped the rubber once so far. I bought a second set just to have as extra, but I plan on flipping the blade until I no longer can. A little effort compared to some blades to flip, but I'm not paying $30+ for the same quality of wiper blades from another brand. The rubber is no different.

Also:
Chatter fix


My part list post

Thanks @Montana for the tips!

 

[Optimus]

I usually ignore the OEM length and see if I can put on larger blades regardless. Most vehicles I can usually get an inch or two more out of it. The extra clearing is most helpful for snow/winter. I have not checked our Mav yet as it’s brand new, but I expect 1-2 years out of OEM blades. I applied a ceramic coating to the glass, which may alter my results. After these wear out, I will switch back to my usual PIAA Super Silicon blades. Going on 5 years on 2 different vehicles. They are amazing and last far longer than the common cheap blades.

Sponsored