How to choose and replace the wipers on cars

How to choose the right brush

1. Decide structure

There are three designs wipers: framed, frameless and hybrid. To select suitable, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each. Further is a start on your requirements and, of course, the purse.

Frame wipers

The traditional and most common design. It consists of three rocker arms, interconnected by a system of movable hinges. Due to their device, they evenly distribute the clamping force from the spring-loaded wiper arms and perfectly follows the curve of glass, providing high quality cleaning of the entire surface. Most affordable.

The weak point of frame brushes are hinges. Over time, they become loose or, conversely, wedged from the accumulated mud and worse to cope with their responsibilities. In winter, the situation is significantly exacerbated by falls in joints snow and ice, which reduce the efficiency of the windscreen to naught.

frameless windshield wipers

A more modern version of the brush. Despite its name, still have a skeleton, but simplified to a minimum. The mobile system is replaced by a rocker arm an elastic metal plate to which is attached a rubber band.

The outer part of the brush has an aerodynamic shape for optional clamping to glass flow of oncoming air. Due to the absence of moving parts and a lesser height frameless brush almost noiseless and does not frosted over winter. A more expensive option for the price.

Unlike frame brush, frameless not universal. They are made to fit the specified glass bending and suitable to certain cars. An excellent job of cleaning the glasses straight, but may be difficult to adhere rounded at the edges. Also, because of the large sail frameless brushes are raised above the glass when driving at high speed.

hybrid wipers

The most advanced design that combines the advantages of the previous two options. In fact, this brush with the classic frame-based miniature movable rocker arm, which is protected from external influences by a wing-cover. Hybrid brushes clearly repeat the glass curvature, and thus they are not susceptible to contamination and freezing of joints.

The main and the only drawback of this design - it is the high price of brushes. Compared with frameless, they are more expensive than doubled as compared with the conventional carcass - in three or more.

2. Measure the length

The next most important parameter brushes after construction is their length. It should match the manufacturer's cars. Too short brush will reduce the wiping area, which, in turn, will worsen the review. Long will also be less pressed against the glass, and not be able to take off his film of water in a single pass. It also will reduce visibility.

In order not to be mistaken with the size, measure the length of the set of brushes via roulette or remove one of them and use as a model when purchasing. brush size is usually stated in millimeters and inches. With millimeters everything is clear, and to translate to inches to divide the length in inches by 2.54. For example, 55 cm / 2.54 = 22 inches.

On some cars at the brushes can be of different lengths. If you are not sure you are the same, it is better for hedging measure both at the same.

In principle, you can buy a little brush of greater length than the full-time, but it is important not to overdo it. It is better to try them on the spot, or after setting out so that the wipers will cling to each other or to touch the body.

3. Specify the type of attachment

The last criterion in the selection of brushes - a type of latch, through which they are attached to a leash janitors. The most common one is an ordinary hook. Due to the lack of standardization in different cars using different latches, so, apart from the hook, even in the course of about a dozen other fasteners.

The good news is that the wipers manufacturers almost always put in a set of multiple adapters that allow to set the brush on a leash with different types of fasteners. When buying, make sure whether the appropriate adapter have selected brush, because some of them are designed for a particular model and are not equipped with an optional adapter.

If you need adapters not included, you can remove them from the old brushes and move to the new.

Owners of wagons, hatchbacks and other cars with the rear wiper glass need to separately check the type of attachment brushes rear wiper. Often, it differs from the latches that are used on the windshield.

As a self-replacing brushes

brushes are usually changed once a year - in the fall or spring when it rains and slush on the roads. The procedure itself is quite simple and is carried out without any additional tools. It does not deliver a hassle, if bought right wipers.

First of all read the latch design that is used on your machine, so do not inadvertently break. Carefully inspect the wipers, please refer to the instructions on the package of brushes. If you can not understand - look for the video.

As a general rule, to remove the brushes need to lift the lid by squeezing it or by pushing a button, and then turn the wiper, and remove it from the lead. If there is an additional plastic clip, you need to drown him before removal. Installation takes place in reverse order. Here's how it's done on leashes with fastening "hook".

YouTube-channel ACDelco

When removing the brush, be careful: the metal leash could accidentally fall on the glass and leave the chips on it. For hedging enclose leash across the box from the janitors or nestle glass with a soft cloth.

After installation do not forget to remove the gum transport protectors, or the good of the brush is small.

If your car wipers are installed with a rare type of attachment and you do not know how to open it, see videos from that playlist. It is very detailed and step by step shows the removal of all the main latches.

Check list

1. Select the desired structure: frame, frameless or hybrid wipers.
2. Measure the length of each brush.
3. Make sure that the correct type of fixture comes in the kit.
4. Learn how to remove the brush in your car.
5. Carefully replace the wipers and remove the protective coating.