Any aftermarket advice ? PIAA blades
Windshield Wiper Issues
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
Windshield Wiper Issues
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?
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?
Last edited by fintail; Sep 30, 2013 at 09:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2014 E 350 4 matic
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.
Last edited by mike_747; Oct 1, 2013 at 09:11 AM.
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
2008 E350 2013 Tahoe 2007 Mustang GT Conv.
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!!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
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.
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.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, MN
2013 E350 Wagon, prev 2005 ML 500 SE
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
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.
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.
Last edited by fintail; Oct 2, 2013 at 09:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2014 E 350 4 matic
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
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.
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.
