Writer introduction
Web writer specializing in active mechanic cars
Mr. Riku Ota
The qualification of possession is mechanic 3rd grade. His favorite articles are related to car structure and maintenance. His hobby is driving. He liked cars, so he moved from a car-related workplace to a garage. He is currently working and struggling for the second grade. He will try to convey real information on the spot to the readers.
The wiper is an indispensable equipment on rainy or snowy days. If the wiper is not wiped properly, the visibility will be poor and it is very dangerous. In order to prevent such a situation, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner how to replace the wiper by yourself, which can be done easily without tools. Also, for those who are wondering whether to replace it by themselves or ask a contractor, or who are worried about choosing a wiper that suits their car, we will explain in detail below.
The wiper consists of three parts.
- Wiper rubber
- Wiper blade
- Wiper arm
Of these, the parts that require regular replacement are 1. wiper rubber and 2. wiper blade. Since the size and shape differ depending on the manufacturer and model, it cannot be installed unless it matches the vehicle. Make sure that the parts fit your car before you buy.
The wiper rubber can be easily replaced without using any tools.
Depending on the model, the wiper may be covered with a bonnet and you may not be able to stand it as it is. In that case, activate the wiper once, stop it when it becomes vertical, and raise the wiper arm.
If it is difficult to pull it out, try removing the wiper blade from the wiper arm before starting work. At this time, be sure to place a cushion such as a towel between the wiper blade or the wiper arm and the glass. The wiper arm presses the wiper rubber against the glass by the force of the spring. Therefore, even if you touch the wiper arm that is standing up a little, it will fall down vigorously toward the glass. If you hit the glass with that momentum, the glass may break, which is extremely dangerous. Let's guard it well just in case.
Insert the groove of the wiper rubber along the tab of the wiper blade. Since the groove often shifts from the claw, insert it while checking it carefully.
If the rubber is a protrusion type rubber to prevent it from coming off, you need to pay attention to the direction of the protrusion. The direction of the protrusion should be such that the protrusion comes down when the wiper is vertical. If the orientation is different, only the wiper rubber may fly due to centrifugal force.
This completes the replacement of the wiper rubber.
After replacing the wiper rubber, be sure to check that it is installed properly.
After confirming the above, if there are no problems, the work is completed.
It is a good idea to put a thick towel between the wiper arm and the glass before starting work. You can reduce the possibility that the wiper arm will fall and the glass will be damaged.
The procedure for replacing the wiper blade is as follows.
- Remove the rubber from the blade (same procedure as replacing the wiper rubber)
- Tilt the wiper blade a little
- Slide while pushing the protrusion (claw) of the mounting part, and remove the blade as it is
- Install a new blade in the reverse order of removal
- Make sure the blade is securely fastened
If you change the type of wiper blade, you may not be able to use the wiper rubber that was used before the replacement. Refer to how to select the wiper rubber and wiper blade described later, and prepare one that is compatible with the rubber and the blade.
Is it possible to replace the wiper by yourself? For those who are wondering whether to replace it by themselves or ask a contractor, I compared the prices.
Wiper replacement is basically available at any store that provides car care. However, the variety of parts lineup, prices, and wages vary depending on the format of the business.
Exchange by yourself | Car supplies store / gas station | Maintenance shop | dealer | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wiper blade | 500 yen to 4,000 yen | 1,500 yen to 3,000 yen | Around 1,500 yen | 2,000 yen to 4,000 yen |
Wiper rubber | 500 yen to 2,000 yen | 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen | Around 1,000 yen | 1,000 yen to 2,000 yen |
Wages | 0 Yen | 200 yen to 500 yen | 300 yen to 600 yen | 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen |
total amount | 1,000 yen to 6,000 yen | From 2,700 yen to 5,500 yen | From 2,800 yen to 3,100 yen | 4,000 yen-9,000 yen |
If you want to stick to genuine products, you can choose a dealer, and if you want to replace it immediately, you can choose the nearest gas station, depending on the situation. It is also recommended to replace the wiper parts yourself. If you can buy parts cheaply online, you can save money because there is no wage.
From here, I will explain how to select parts so that you can replace the wiper parts yourself.
Since the size and shape of each wiper part varies depending on the manufacturer and model, it cannot be installed unless it matches the vehicle. There are an infinite number of parts, and some items are difficult to judge. The following methods are recommended to make sure that the parts match your vehicle.
- Bring the car verification to a car supply store and compare it with the wiper compatibility table.
- Remove the existing wiper parts, bring them to the car supplies store, and ask the clerk.
- Search online by narrowing down the model, model year, and model
The model of the car differs depending on the shape of the car and the date of manufacture, and the wiper parts that match each model may also be different. The format is usually listed on the left side of the center of the car verification, so be sure to check it carefully. It is safe to look at the wiper compatibility table in car shops and purchase the parts listed in the model column of your car.
In addition, it is safe to check the following three items.
If the windshield has two wipers, be aware that the length is often different on the driver's side and the passenger's side. Check the length so that you don't say, "I bought the same two wipers just by looking at the wiper size on the driver's side, but it was too long to attach to the passenger's side." I am relieved. If the windshield has two wipers, be aware that the length is often different on the driver's side and the passenger's side. It is safe to check the length so that you do not say, "I bought the same two wipers just by looking at the wiper size on the driver's side, but it was too long to attach to the passenger's side." is.
There are two types of wiper rubber, and you need to select one according to the type of wiper blade.
Available type names | Judgment points |
---|---|
Straight type | Both ends of the wiper blade are L-shaped stoppers. |
Type with protrusion | It is fixed by sandwiching it between the claws of the mounting part of the wiper blade. |
Most straight type wiper rubber is for rear wipers.
When replacing the wiper arm and wiper blade at the same time, it is necessary to check the mounting shape. Since it is difficult to judge the wiper blade by appearance, it is recommended to check and check the model number described in the vehicle verification.
Once you know the shape you want to install, the next step is to choose what kind of wiper you want to use. There are 4 types of wiper rubber and 3 types of wiper blade. Let's check each feature and precautions.
Types of wiper rubber | feature | Recommended for people like this |
---|---|---|
Standard type | Installed in most new cars / cheapest | People who use cars for everyday street riding / people who value price |
Graphite type | Carbon particles called "graphite" are used for the wiper rubber part / frictional resistance with glass can be reduced. | People who have a water-repellent coating on the glass of the car / People who are worried about scratches and chattering noise due to friction between the glass and the wiper rubber |
Water repellent type | Silicon coating on the surface of the wiper rubber / By using the wiper, the water repellent effect can be obtained on the glass. | Those who want to save the trouble of glass coating |
Snow type | To prevent freezing, the metal part of the wiper blade is covered with rubber / A rubber material that does not harden even when the temperature is low is used. | People who ride in cold regions with snow |
Types of wiper blades | feature | important point |
---|---|---|
Tournament wiper | Because of the most common shape, it is cheaper / It is divided into multiple smaller frames from the main frame to support the wiper rubber, so uniform pressure is applied throughout. | Since it is susceptible to wind resistance, it tends to float at high speeds / If deterioration such as rust occurs, the pressure will not be uniform. |
Flat wiper | The blade and rubber are integrated / fits the curve of the windshield, so wiping performance is high | The price is higher than the tournament wiper / Due to the structure, only the wiper rubber cannot be replaced. |
Aero wiper | The structure / design is improved by covering the frame of the tournament wiper with a cover, and it is less susceptible to wind resistance. | If you want to install it on an imported car, you need to check the conformity (mainly for domestic cars) |
Since the blade and rubber are integrated in the flat wiper, you do not need to buy the rubber alone. It is assumed that it suits your car, but why not choose the wiper to use according to the performance you want, the price, and the area you live in.
In the first place, what kind of condition should the wiper parts need to be replaced? I will explain by parts.
There are safety standards for wipers, and if they do not meet, the vehicle inspection will not pass. The speed of deterioration varies depending on the frequency of use, the environment in which the vehicle is used, and the storage conditions of the vehicle. We encourage you to replace the wiper rubber once a year, but if you find any of the following signs of deterioration on the wiper rubber, we recommend that you replace it as soon as possible. [Streak-shaped lines remain] There are some parts that can be wiped off and some parts that cannot be wiped off. It is in a state where it cannot be wiped clean.
[Wipe unevenness is possible] It is the same as the case where streaky lines remain, and there are some parts that can be wiped off and some parts that cannot be wiped off.
[Noisy] This is a symptom that the wiper is said to be chattering. When you activate the wiper, you may hear a rattling noise or a rubbing noise.
[Water bleeds] Even if the wiper is activated, the water will appear to be thinly stretched. The end of the wiper rubber is torn. The end is torn due to deterioration, and it hangs down slowly. If this happens, the wiper rubber will tear more and more. Symptoms such as uneven wiping and noise also appear when the wiper blade is deteriorated. If replacing the wiper rubber does not improve the symptoms, try replacing the wiper blade as well.
The wiper blade is the skeleton of the wiper. There is no guideline for when to replace the wiper blade, but it may break as it deteriorates. If you get any of the following conditions, replace it immediately. [Crack] The part attached to the wiper arm may crack or, in the worst case, break.
[Deformation] If you move the wiper with snow piled up, it may bend due to the weight of the snow.
[Rust] When the moving parts rust, they do not fit the glass tightly and the pressure applied to the glass becomes disjointed.
To make the wiper rubber last longer, you need to know how the rubber product deteriorates.
For example, do you have the following experience with rubber bands?
These phenomena occur because rubber becomes hard and deteriorates due to heat and ultraviolet rays. Since the wiper rubber is also a rubber product, the same deterioration is likely to occur. If you practice the following four tips as a countermeasure, you can make the wiper rubber last longer.
Dirt on the glass tends to be wiped off with a wiper. However, this damages the wiper rubber and makes it more susceptible to deterioration. Put wet wipes on the car and try not to force the dirt off with a wiper as much as possible.
Even if you think the glass is in a clean state, invisible sand and dust are attached. If you move the wiper when it is dry, it will be wiped like dragging dust. Then, not only the wiper rubber but also the glass may be damaged. If the glass is dry, use a window washer to thoroughly moisten it before operating the wiper.
On hot days, the heat softens the wiper rubber. Then, the force that presses against the glass of the wiper arm is lost, and the deformation of the wiper rubber progresses. And when the temperature drops at night, the wiper rubber hardens while it is deformed. Freezing on cold days makes it easier for the glass and wiper rubber to stick together. If you move it forcibly, the rubber may be torn off. Also, when there is snow, there is a risk of deformation due to the weight of the snow and the breakage of the wiper blade. Standing the wiper on a hot or cold day is an effective way to prevent the wiper from deteriorating.
One of the ways to prevent the wiper from deteriorating is to make it harder to get dirty by applying a coating. Another effect of the coating is to reduce the frictional resistance between the glass and the wiper rubber, making it easier to remove dirt. Therefore, it is possible to protect both the glass and the wiper rubber.
The water repellent coating literally improves the water repellent of the glass. As water droplets flow more and more, the wiper is activated less frequently while driving on a rainy day. If you don't have many chances to use the wiper, you can delay the deterioration and keep your car clean.
Wipers are frequently used and play an important role in ensuring good visibility. It is easy to think that the wiper parts should be replaced when they get worse, but we recommend that you replace them regularly for safety.
Other than wipers, there are some that need to be replaced over time. Please also check here for a summary of parts that can be used as a guide for replacing old cars.
[Related article] Maintenance parts for old cars that you want to check before vehicle inspection