Floobydust

The wiper blades on my SLK squeak incessantly!! There is a loud rubber-on-glass squeak when the wipers are on (unless the rain is really, really pouring). I have replaced the blades several times and each time the squeak initially disappears but within a fews weeks they are squeaking again. I have tried aftermarket wiper inserts and they do not squeak, but they clack back and forth when the wipers reverse direction (I'm not sure which is more annoying). The windshield is original and clean. The car is under warranty (for now). I had the BM dealer look into this and heir response is to replace the blades (which squeak again in short order). It's so bad I take my other car when rain is expected (which kind of defeats the purpose of the vario roof).

Have anyone had this issue? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

- FD

Brian_R170

Try some different aftermarket blades. I have used Bosch refills and Anco (wide) refills in the OEM blades with good results.

Madd_Scientist

Yeah, I HATE those OEM blades, the edge of the blade is so thick compared to aftermarket (Bosch Micro Edge Excel, PIAA Silicone, etc etc) that all they do is just jump (chatter) across the windshield. BLAH

Brian_R170

I never noticed it was thicker, but if it is, it must be really low quality. The OEM blades on both of my SLKs lasted less than 2 years before the rubber started falling apart.

In contrast, I just changed the original blades on my 8-year-old Jeep Grand Cherokee two weeks ago just as preventative maintenance. They still worked fine.

Pr0wler

I know that it was a solution to that problem posted om the german SLK site www.mbslk.de (all in german now) and the thing was as i recall that the angle that the rubber hit the windshield was a little bit wrong and that it could be helped by bending them a bit in some direction... thats all i can remember right now. i'll get back if i recall anything more!

hope it helps!

Pr0wler

Found the article for you! it's at http://www.mbslk.de/modules.php?name...e=print&sid=17

it's all in german but if you have a translation program like most of the search engines have (altavista, google) it sholdn't be a problem!

Kar don

ummm Brian, wipers are a wear item and should be replaced every 6 months to a year depending on your climate. I know on all my cars they need to be changed like every 6 months.

Brian_R170

I currently live in Phoenix and before I lived in Kansas City. I never had a set of wipers that lasted LESS than 5 years in either climate. In Phoenix, the wipers get almost no use but are subject to high temperatures and UV deterioration. In Kansas City, the wipers got alot of use and were subject to bitter cold and ice.

I replaced the factory wipers on my 7-year-old Grand Cherokee last week. They still worked fine but when I bent the rubber, I could see surface cracks and feel that it was starting to harden. This is after 7 years of Arizona heat and UV.

Also, it's not like the OEM wipers are just not wiping perfectly. They are completely falling apart in less than 2 years. I'll be willing to bet the aftermarket blades I installed will last 2 or 3 times as long.

Floobydust

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions/information. I tried adjusting the angle of attack previously, and yes, if you get it just right, it will improve things. But after a while, the rubber relaxes and you need to re-adjust. I looked at the German site (through Google xlation) and it looks that's what they are describing.

I finally got a set of PIAA Silicone wipers and they seem to work great so far. The only issue to date is that they sometimes create a momentary streaking by cleaning the windscreen too completey! But this is rare.

The whole thing strikes me a bit odd though - an awful lot of playing for such a small but important detail on such an expensive car.

Thanks again.

- FD