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Replacing windshield wipers isn't supposed to be this difficult

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spidey07

No Lifer
I feel like a complete idiot. Got the girl some new wipers, rainex something, in the correct size and fitting as specified by the book in the store. The full assembly, not just the rubber. Car is 2006 Saturn Aura XL.

I have never been so frustrated in all my life, it's a freaking wiper! Removing them was so simple. But putting the new ones on has proven to be too much for me. Even with the adapters there's no way these can go on. So I open the manual - "Take car to dealer for wiper replacement"

You have got to be fucking kidding me. Am I an idiot or do newer cars have a built in proprietary fitting?
 
it wasn't easy but IIRC you have to angle it in before it snaps on. The new replacements should have instructions.
 
i havn't found any parts store wipers that will fit on the newer style GM arms. i have no idea why, you think after three or four years they'd figure it out.

get them from the dealer. i think they're like 15 bucks a piece wholesale. so probably more 20-25 retail. pricey, but at least they fit right.
 
brblx said:
i havn't found any parts store wipers that will fit on the newer style GM arms. i have no idea why, you think after three or four years they'd figure it out.

get them from the dealer. i think they're like 15 bucks a piece wholesale. so probably more 20-25 retail. pricey, but at least they fit right.
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RainX wipers would not fit on my car either. I used Michelin's.

The new style of wipers are great

michelin-lifestyles.jpg
 
Good thing you couldn't get them on. Return it while you still can, they're a POS. I got them and the thing started skipping and smearing water after two weeks.
I've tried cleaning them with vinegar, or rainx.. doesn't do jack squat.
 
astroidea said:
Good thing you couldn't get them on. Return it while you still can, they're a POS. I got them and the thing started skipping and smearing water after two weeks.
I've tried cleaning them with vinegar, or rainx.. doesn't do jack squat.
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The Rain-X wipers I had were awesome and a breeze to install. Just have to get them in the right angle to snap them into place.
 
I personally prefer either Anco or Trico brand wiper blades. They always fit and the instructions are easy to follow.
 
You sure you're not trying to put them on backwards? It's easy to get mixed up.

Once you're doing it the right way, they should snap right on... I've been relatively happy with my rainx wipers I bought in the summer.
 
You've got to know how to work the system. You send your wife or girlfriend to the parts store and have her ask the parts guy if he could show her how it goes on. Works for me every time. 🙂
 
It sounds stupid but I was actually stumped by a windshield wiper once, too, although it was pouring rain and night out so I had a bit of an excuse. But still, they don't exactly make it obvious what you are supposed to do, and I've bought plenty of wipers from different makers that turned out to be defective or be missing parts (they must have the worst quality control ever!). It really helps if you pay VERY close attention to how everything is oriented before you take off the old one. It's easy to try to put them on backwards or upside down, since generally the attachment point can rotate a full 360 degrees.
 
I know exactly how pissed this made you feel, like a stupid ass who cannot replace a wiper especially since it was supposed to fit.

I am here to tell you: IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. I had this problem a couple years ago. Maybe with rainx but maybe not. I could not get the fvcking thing to fit, it simply WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MY MINIVAN despite saying it was. I returned it and bought the cheapest wiper I could. Fit right in.

Stuff like that drives me up the damn wall but it's not your fault.
 
Hmm, I have a 2007 Saturn and I just recently bought a set of RainX Lattitudes and it was actually the easiest install I've ever had. I didn't have to use any of the adapters or anything, it had an adapter built on that fit most vehicles it said. Pulled the wipers up, snapped them on, good to go.

Also any part store will install for free usually.
 
I couldn't get a RainX Latitude to fit on my car so I got out the dremel and fixed it. Now it fits.
 
TruePaige said:
Hmm, I have a 2007 Saturn and I just recently bought a set of RainX Lattitudes and it was actually the easiest install I've ever had. I didn't have to use any of the adapters or anything, it had an adapter built on that fit most vehicles it said. Pulled the wipers up, snapped them on, good to go.

Also any part store will install for free usually.
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was it the wide kind with the little square button?
 
Actually, I had a similar experience with mom-in-law's new shape Civic. Bought Rainx wipers from Walmart and could not get one side to properly lock in to the arm.
 
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