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Topic: Windshield wiper arm pressure (Read 956 times) previous topic - next topic

Windshield wiper arm pressure

I installed new wiper blades but the driver-side wiper arm does not apply enough pressure to press the entire blade flat. Passenger-side is great. How to adjust/increase the arm pressure on the glass?
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #1 –
The spring is probably lost it's tension so you need to replace the spring or the whole arm.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #2 –
Dan.  I feel your pain.  I replaced our wiper arms at the recommendation of Nighthawk because I had trouble finding blades that fit the old arms.  Well I do like the new arms cause I can now use any blades that I want.  ( a bus parts co. Had them).  BUT.... 
the new arm doesn't contact the drivers side any better than the old arm did.    So,,  it may not be the arm that's the problem.  The new arm has a built in sprayer that doesn't squirt worth a hoot either.      I thought I might solv that problem by installing an additional squirt bottlle.    Bottle and pump for each wiper. 

  Bottom line,  maybe the window is the issue. 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #3 –
Decades ago there was a gadget that could be snapped on to a wiper arm to cause more pressure.. Have to do some internet browsing to see if still available.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
Dan.  I feel your pain.  I replaced our wiper arms at the recommendation of Nighthawk because I had trouble finding blades that fit the old arms.  Well I do like the new arms cause I can now use any blades that I want.  ( a bus parts co. Had them).  BUT.... 
the new arm doesn't contact the drivers side any better than the old arm did.    So,,  it may not be the arm that's the problem.  The new arm has a built in sprayer that doesn't squirt worth a hoot either.      I thought I might solv that problem by installing an additional squirt bottlle.    Bottle and pump for each wiper. 

  Bottom line,  maybe the window is the issue. 
I had no trouble finding blades that fit - the pin on the wiper arm fits right through the hole in the new blade. My problem is just that if I lift the arm off the window, the amount of force required to do so is significantly less on one arm than the other. Just need to adjust the spring somehow.
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #5 –

For our 99 U270 this is the arm, I would assume yours is the same
Amazon.com: AutoTex Wiper Arm 200483N - 28" Pantograph (ISO/Double-flat...
Probably time to replace both arms
Makes a huge improvement having new arms and blades
David

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David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #6 –
Quote from: "Irish" –
For our 99 U270 this is the arm, I would assume yours is the same
Amazon.com: AutoTex Wiper Arm 200483N - 28" Pantograph (ISO/Double-flat...
Probably time to replace both arms
Makes a huge improvement having new arms and blades
David
That's the one, yes. I'm going to play around with how to adjust that spring though before spending the money.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dan & Annie –
I installed new wiper blades but the driver-side wiper arm does not apply enough pressure to press the entire blade flat. Passenger-side is great. How to adjust/increase the arm pressure on the glass?
I'm having a similar problem, how did you adjust this in the end?
Or did you just buy new arms?
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.

Re: Windshield wiper arm pressure

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Kiwitex –
I'm having a similar problem, how did you adjust this in the end?
Or did you just buy new arms?
I studied the left and right wiper arms and the way they apply pressure to the window, and what I found was that the spring in the wiper arm that works well, is a different size than the one that doesn't work! They are the same length, but one is a smaller diameter/gauge wire, so it doesn't pull with the same amount of force. I'm on the hunt now for a 3 1/2" steel extension spring, that is beefier than the one in there now. I'll let you know if I find one.
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C