fintail

I know this has been brought up now and then, with fall/winter here, it seems time again.

I took delivery at the beginning of the year. The wipers were fine for awhile, but after 4 months or so, started to chatter and lurch their way across the windshield, stopping 5-6 times during each sweep. It looks and sounds terrible, like the rubber is too stiff. I complained at the dealer, and they replaced the wiper blades under warranty (car was about 6 months from build date at the time). They also checked the setting of the wiper arms, and all was to spec. That seemed to have solved it - the new wipers were smooth and quiet.

But, the other day I had to drive in the rain, and the irritating noise and movement returned. I read in other discussions that Rain-X or Aquapel are not recommended (I use aquapel and have used the rain-x brand glass cleaner in a pinch), so I stripped the windshield clean with a solvent, used a magic eraser on the glass, and used Invisible Glass to clean it - the glass looked as new. After about 15 mins in the rain, the chattering and lurching returned.

I drove it today and happened to be in the rain again, so I stopped by the dealer. The attendant pretty much brushed me off, saying the blades were done under warranty and wouldn't be done again (!),and that the MB windshield cleaner from the reservoir should work. It does, for about 2 sweeps of the wipers. I applied Rain-X again to no avail, chatters. I think the problem is the blades. Do they have a 3-4 month lifespan or something? I am thinking of looking at an aftermarket set. Has anyone else had this issue or solved it in any way? Should I not use a windshield treatment?

hcetzneb

Try cleaning the wiper blades rubber gets dry and picks up a film.. alcohol works good

fintail

Hey thanks for the suggestion - did that too. The car is also garaged and kept fairly spotless.

mleskovar

Our blade holders are a little different but the principle should be the same.

BenzV12

Sorry to hear that , I believe MB uses Bosch and Bosh makes decent products. Any aftermarket advice ? PIAA blades

mike_747

Seems the video has the problem nailed. I've experiences that that man said, after a long dry period (4 months in Seattle :o)) my blades were chattering. But with more rain and use the chatter went away by itself. I'll remember the crescent wrench bending of the arm in the future. Easy fix.

Mad Dawg 350

Bosch Icon wiper blades. I have them on all of my vehicles. Highly recommend them. They'll last 1yr+ (with proper maintenance of course), sweeps cleanly and no chatter!!

fintail

Are the OEM blades Bosch or Valeo?

I checked the issue like in the video with the blades angling the wrong way - it's not that. The blades worked fine when new, but recently started chattering again. It's almost like the rubber in the blade is harmed by the windshield treatment and eventually can't work smoothly when wet. They glide smoothly on a dry windshield, but water now makes them chatter.

Today I am going to see if I can find a Bosch or Rain-X set for replacement. I used Rain-X with Bosch blades on my W210 for many years with no issue.

mleskovar

Do they chatter in both directions? Both blades or just one? What's your location?

fintail

Both directions. Driver's blade seems worse, but that might be because I am closer to it. I am near Seattle, where the volume of rain is exceeded by many places, but maybe not the duration - so having quiet smooth wipers is important to someone who is kind of nit picky like myself

I still find it noteworthy that the OEM blades were fine for a couple months, then suddenly became annoying. I have a suspicion something on the windshield treatment reacts with the rubber.

In a couple hours I am going to see if I can fit a set of Bosch blades. I never had an issue with those on previous cars.

pdjv

That annoying windshield wiper chatter can also be caused by road crud kicked up by tires on other cars - especially if it hasn't been raining long enough to wash the thin film of oil/dust/dirt... from the road.

MinnBobber

X 2
The blade rubber needs to be VERY clean or they seem to chatter.
I remove them to clean them and my white rag has black marks until
about the third thorough cleaning.
I coated my windshield with GTechniq's special long term coating which
does shed almost all light/medium rain once you hit about 20mph.
However, it does not seem as slick to the touch as the other windows
which I cleaned/buffed with Flex 3401 rotary and then applied wax. Those
windows are slick to the touch BUT you aren't supposed to use wax on
the windshield.
Still experimenting with what (if any) rubber treatment to try. For all other
rubber/plastic I love Aerospace 303 liquid.

fintail

I cleaned the windshield with a magic eraser, solvent, and then aerosol window cleaner. The result was...smooth as glass

I got a set of Icons and installed them yesterday. The mounting points don't look as nice as the OEMs, but no chatter at all in the short time I used them. Of course, the Valeos were quiet for the first couple months too - both sets of Valeos, as my under year old car was on its second set.

I don't think I once had an issue with chatter in 7 years of driving the W210, always had Bosch on it.

I kept the old wipers, maybe I should analyze and experiment with them.

Raymond Lee

fintail
Thank you for your input. I believe you hit it right on the nail!

BM2BZ

my service adviser told me simply use baking soda and water to clean the windshield. no chatter after.

fintail

We will see. Yesterday I cleaned the windshield again to ensure all Rain-X is removed, and I am going to get some alcohol to treat it again, and see what happens. I still have a feeling the Rain-X didn't get along with the Valeo blades, and I don't want to risk it with the expensive Bosch set. I also have spare new Valeo set I picked up for a good price, that I might rotate on and see what happens.

Last month I was in FL, and rented an E from Sixt. It rains almost every afternoon there in late summer, and I used the wipers a few times. No noise on a car with 12K on it - but I don't know how old the blades were.

mike_747

I never had chatter until I tried Rain X one time. Granted I don't think I applied it 100% correctly, but the chatter was intense. It was difficult getting it off, rubbing alcohol and plain old soap and water scrubbing about 3-4 times, but once removed all chatter was gone.

fintail

Thanks for the input. I suspect there really is an issue with Rain-X and the windshield or the wiper blades. I'll run it "naked" this winter and see how it behaves.