Windshield wiper chatter... at my wit's end

[iroc86]

I seem to be plagued by windshield wiper chatter on every vehicle I've ever owned, and my '89 Grand Wagoneer is no exception. My wipers seem to be "loading up" and then springing forward as they wipe, which is putting all sorts of undue stress on the linkage and motor, not to mention streaking the windshield and making awful noises.

Does anyone have wipers that work smoothy, the way they're supposed to? Has anyone successfully fixed chattering wipers on a FSJ? Here's what I've tried so far:

1. Cleaned windshield with clay bar and Bon Ami.
2. Bent windshield wiper arms to apply more spring pressure.
3. Bent windshield wiper arms to achieve proper angle of blade on glass.
4. Removed wiper linkage (worst job ever) and checked for any slop (there was none).
5. Tried different wiper blades.
6. Removed one wiper at a time to see if they chattered individually; they do.

Nothing I've done has improved the wipers' operation. If the windshield is dry, the wipers do not chatter -- they glide smoothly and quietly. As soon as water hits the glass, they jump around all over the place. Oddly, all of the vehicles I've had chattering problems with have used pin-style wiper arms.

My last car, a Cadillac Eldorado, had this problem and I was never able to solve it. I replaced the linkage, arms, blades, and even the windshield and they still chattered.

[Ristow]

i got a set of the new bosch wipers. the frame less looking ones. work nicely.

[J300Zack]

Originally Posted by Ristow

i got a set of the new bosch wipers. the frame less looking ones. work nicely.

X2

or try cleaning the blades with some rubbing alcohol. Probably the best thing to try is rain-x the windshield, huge difference!

[710 Burner]

I do not have that problem unless the wiper blades are getting stiff...and it seems like the new ones don't last as long as they used to.

[Tripwire]

Me too....I have tried everything on my waggie - including replacing the entire arm assy. my last hope in a new windshield, perhaps years of microsopic wear are causing the issue

Trip

[AlsChopShop]

its usually due to weak springs in the arms.

Al

[cu4whln]

Also - check all the linkages. Chatter can also come with wear in the drivetrain of the overall system. Sometimes, the linkages come slightly loose.

[iroc86]

Thanks for the helpful tips, guys. I'm certain that the wiper transmission behind the dashboard is slop-free, as I completely removed it and checked the bushings. No noticeable wear at all.

I bought a pair of Trico NeoForm frameless blades today (the local parts store doesn't carry the Bosch Evolution blades, but these are pretty much the same thing). The chattering went away somewhat, but the blades seem pretty much useless in cold weather. It's 15 degrees in Pittsburgh and the air has "frozen" the blade into its preformed curved shape, and thus it doesn't completely wipe away all of the water on the windshield. Weak wiper arm springs might be the culprit here, but I suspect that cars designed for frameless wipers have stronger springs to begin with.

I used to own an XJ and never had chattering problems, so I was thinking of adapting those arms to my GW. Interestingly, Team Grand Wagoneer sells a replacement FSJ arm that looks identical a hook-style XJ arm.

[bORGEL]

Did you ever solve this problem?

I have the same problem and it is driving me crazy (no pun intended). The wipers do not chatter on a dry windshield but are unbelievably staggered on a wet windshield.

Thanks,

Palli
Grand Wagoneer 1990

[sXeMike]

It might sound crazy but what kind of washer fluid do you use?
I'm pretty sure that the orange rain-x stuff causes the blades to harden. Every vehicle that I've used the stuff in has had the same problem.

[iroc86]

Originally Posted by bORGEL

Did you ever solve this problem?

I have the same problem and it is driving me crazy (no pun intended). The wipers do not chatter on a dry windshield but are unbelievably staggered on a wet windshield.

Thanks,

Palli
Grand Wagoneer 1990

You know, I ignored the problem and it kinda went away. I'm not sure if the wiper blades "wore in" or what, but the chatter isn't as bad as it once was... though, it's still noticeable.

I recently had a similar wiper issue with another vehicle, and I tried the usual suggestions to no avail. On a whim, I decided to purchase OEM wiper blades. Since this vehicle was a Ford, the blades were Motorcraft. I had never used Motorcraft wiper blades until now, but I've been impressed with the build quality and performance. Interestingly, it also eliminated the chatter. I've been meaning to try a set on my Wagoneer, but it's tucked away for the wintertime. That might be worth a shot.

[blakeusa]

Originally Posted by J300Zack

X3

or try cleaning the blades with some rubbing alcohol. Probably the best thing to try is Rain-X (silicone type lubricant) the windshield, huge difference!

Rain X works good. Just clean the glass real good before you apply it.

[Tripwire]

replying again - after having an new windshield ( and reused my old newfangled framless wipers) - its just like a brand new car, no chatter clean sweeps a night and day difference

[The Colonel]

Wiper "chatter" is usually caused by the "attack" angle of the wiper blade itself. This is adjusted by tweaking the arm slightly. Many OEM's actually have a suggested angle and a tool to measure this.

I see you already used clay bar- that works wonders too.

You can get the idea here: (only online info I could find quickly)

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/07/02/66

[bORGEL]

Many thanks for your quick replies. I will try new blades, then try to change the angle and if that does not work then a new windshield (it is pretty worn).

Palli
Grand Wagoneer 1990