Windshield Wiper Chatter
01-24-2008, 04:42 PM
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Well it finally seems as though we in SoCal are getting some consistent rainfall. Aside from the myriad number of drivers who can't seem to negotiate wet roads etc. I'm having the most basic of issues with my wipers. For some reason my drivers side wiper is chattering as it returns downward. I've had BMW replace the blades, they stayed quiet for about 5 minutes. I've made sure the glass was clean and contaminant-free. As a last resort, I've applied Rain-X to see if that would solve the chattering problem, also working for about 5 minutes too. It irks me to have to take the car to the dealer for something as simple as this, but I can't seem to find a solution. Anyone here have a similar issue? Or any kind of solution perhaps?? Let me know! 
01-24-2008, 04:47 PM
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That is strange. I had that same "down chatter" and the under-warranty new blade fixed it. Assuming your replacement was under warranty, I'd say take it back and have them check for a bent wiper arm, perhaps.
01-24-2008, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='522502' date='Jan 24 2008, 08:42 PM
Well it finally seems as though we in SoCal are getting some consistent rainfall. Aside from the myriad number of drivers who can't seem to negotiate wet roads etc. I'm having the most basic of issues with my wipers. For some reason my drivers side wiper is chattering as it returns downward. I've had BMW replace the blades, they stayed quiet for about 5 minutes. I've made sure the glass was clean and contaminant-free. As a last resort, I've applied Rain-X to see if that would solve the chattering problem, also working for about 5 minutes too. It irks me to have to take the car to the dealer for something as simple as this, but I can't seem to find a solution. Anyone here have a similar issue? Or any kind of solution perhaps?? Let me know!
. If that's not practical and an under-warranty replacement blade didn't solve the problem I too feel it's the wiper arm / spring tension that may be the problem. Some causes of chatter are when the blade isn't laid against the windshield at the proper angle, the rubber has deteriorated, or incorrect tension causes the blade to hop. Another tip that might work temporarily - wipe off the blade with a liquid dish detergent. You'd be surprised at the stuff that comes off even a new blade.
As for Rain-X, my own experience is that Rain-X+wipers don't improve the situation but cause more smearing than relying on Rain-X + road speed to sheet water off the windshield. But sometimes it's not practical or legal to drive fast enough
.
01-24-2008, 06:46 PM
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My dealership replaced my wipers after one year without the chatter. 
01-24-2008, 09:37 PM
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I get a slight chatter too... but its been over 3 years and I havent gotten a replacement yet HAHAHHA they still work... but just with a slight chatter... I should ask for a free replacement before my maintenance expires...
01-25-2008, 01:52 AM
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Flyingpuck,
Cleaning the blades is always a good idea, but you've already gone through that.
If you fancy a bit of Do-It-Yourself, try this:
Get a small adjustable spanner and some thick cloth or card to go in the spanner jaws to protect the wiper arm.
Put the spanner on the wiper ARM (not the blade) at the blade end. Looking down the arm, towards the pivot, use the spanner to twist the arm anticlockwise. Just a few degrees will do it, but you'll need to overcorrect because they aren't that easy to bend!
Imagine as your wiper blade goes on the downstroke. It's angle on the screen is too sharp, and it is effectively trying to dig in to the screen. By twisting the arm, this angle of attack is reduced, so the blade can do what it was designed to do, remove the water. Obviously, if you do it too much, the blade will then chatter on the up stroke, but the tolerance for the angle of attack is wide, so you shouldn't get that far!!
Nice to hear that somewhere else is getting rain too
Mike
Cleaning the blades is always a good idea, but you've already gone through that.
If you fancy a bit of Do-It-Yourself, try this:
Get a small adjustable spanner and some thick cloth or card to go in the spanner jaws to protect the wiper arm.
Put the spanner on the wiper ARM (not the blade) at the blade end. Looking down the arm, towards the pivot, use the spanner to twist the arm anticlockwise. Just a few degrees will do it, but you'll need to overcorrect because they aren't that easy to bend!
Imagine as your wiper blade goes on the downstroke. It's angle on the screen is too sharp, and it is effectively trying to dig in to the screen. By twisting the arm, this angle of attack is reduced, so the blade can do what it was designed to do, remove the water. Obviously, if you do it too much, the blade will then chatter on the up stroke, but the tolerance for the angle of attack is wide, so you shouldn't get that far!!
Nice to hear that somewhere else is getting rain too
Mike
01-25-2008, 04:27 AM
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It looks like it will be raining in SoCal for the next few days. I would bring it back to the dealer. I have had three sets of new wiper blades in the last year. I tell them the blades chatter and they replace them for free, no questions asked. The dealer is four blocks from my office so their location is convenient for me.
01-25-2008, 04:42 AM
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Originally Posted by AlwynMike' post='522642' date='Jan 25 2008, 11:52 AM
Flyingpuck,
Cleaning the blades is always a good idea, but you've already gone through that.
If you fancy a bit of Do-It-Yourself, try this:
Get a small adjustable spanner and some thick cloth or card to go in the spanner jaws to protect the wiper arm.
Put the spanner on the wiper ARM (not the blade) at the blade end. Looking down the arm, towards the pivot, use the spanner to twist the arm anticlockwise. Just a few degrees will do it, but you'll need to overcorrect because they aren't that easy to bend!
Imagine as your wiper blade goes on the downstroke. It's angle on the screen is too sharp, and it is effectively trying to dig in to the screen. By twisting the arm, this angle of attack is reduced, so the blade can do what it was designed to do, remove the water. Obviously, if you do it too much, the blade will then chatter on the up stroke, but the tolerance for the angle of attack is wide, so you shouldn't get that far!!
Nice to hear that somewhere else is getting rain too
Mike
Cleaning the blades is always a good idea, but you've already gone through that.
If you fancy a bit of Do-It-Yourself, try this:
Get a small adjustable spanner and some thick cloth or card to go in the spanner jaws to protect the wiper arm.
Put the spanner on the wiper ARM (not the blade) at the blade end. Looking down the arm, towards the pivot, use the spanner to twist the arm anticlockwise. Just a few degrees will do it, but you'll need to overcorrect because they aren't that easy to bend!
Imagine as your wiper blade goes on the downstroke. It's angle on the screen is too sharp, and it is effectively trying to dig in to the screen. By twisting the arm, this angle of attack is reduced, so the blade can do what it was designed to do, remove the water. Obviously, if you do it too much, the blade will then chatter on the up stroke, but the tolerance for the angle of attack is wide, so you shouldn't get that far!!
Nice to hear that somewhere else is getting rain too
Mike