Wiper Blades Hitting My Hood

[Satellite72]

I don't drive my car that often in the rain, so wiper blades haven't been a huge priority on my car until here lately when I've began driving it again. Years ago, I bought a set of 16" replacement blades from Autozone (i'm sure something like duralast or equivalent). Ever since then the tops of the blades hit the hood and sometimes want to jam on there way down. I got rid of the originals (stupidly) a long long time ago, but am now needing to have some dependable windshield wipers just in case I get caught out in the rain. Does anyone know of a replacement blade that can be obtained at a parts store that will get rid of this problem?

 

[mrkinger]

The parts store should be able to tell you what lenght you need ,sounds like 16 inch is to long.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

In this case the length is not the issue, it's the ride height off the glass. This application requires the correct low profile Trico 16" blades in order to park without contacting the hood.

 

[Satellite72]

Thanks. So I guess my question now is if there is a certain Trico blade that has this low profile? I know from memory that I saw some Trico "exact fit" line blades at autozone the other day, but they looked like were just as high as the ones I currently have, maybe not though. If you remember what you've got on there, that would be very helpful. Thanks again.

 

[696pack]

Have you done the obvious, pulled the wiper arm off the shafts and repositioned them to fix this problem?

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

All 71-74' b-bodies have retracting/hidden wipers that park under the rear edge of the hood. The clearance is tight and modern wiper blade replacements simply won't fit. The wiper arm clocking position on the shaft has nothing to do with the top of the blade coming into contact with the underside of the rear edge of the hood. There are a few eBay sellers with the correct blades replacements and it appears Year one has them, not likely to find them at the local parts store.

 

[moparmarks]

All 71-74' b-bodies have retracting/hidden wipers that park under the rear edge of the hood. The clearance is tight and modern wiper refills simply won't fit. The wiper arm clocking position on the shaft has nothing to do with the top of the blade refill coming into contact with the underside of the rear edge of the hood. There are a few eBay sellers with the correct blades and it appears Year one has them, not likely to find them at the local parts store.

Correct. The arm had to be on the correct positon of the shaft to correctly park under the hood. Hear tell that Anco stopped making to refills.
Also if your hood is off just a tad or/and have a bad hinge your wipers will hit. Pass side is the worst. Seems the pass side hinge goes first.

 

[rdrunner1974]

Wipers

Maybe these guys have what you need.
http://catalog.classiccarpartsgiant...ame=wiper_blade&brand_name=trico&make_code=PL
http://catalog.classiccarpartsgiant...=wiper_blade&brand_name=trico&my=1&make_code=

 

[Satellite72]

Thanks!...That should answer my question. I was hoping there was an instore alternative so I wouldn't have to order anything, but atleast I know I can still get some original equipment. I need to order a new package tray from yearone anyways so I may just order those too and take advantage of the first time buyers 30% off discount. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Also if the hood is off just a tad or/and have a bad hinge your wipers will hit. Pass side is the worst. Seems the pass side hinge goes first.

While I agree hood hinge wear can play a role, my experience is worn hinges the spring tension tends to lift the hood up out of its correct original alignment. A lot of these cars are running around with the rear of the hood sticking up. Speaking of which, anybody catch "Supernatural" last night, appears they traded in the Impala for a pretty rough looking "survivor" Challenger, with its hood sticking up in the back.

 

[Satellite72]

I couldn't resist telling you about what happenend this evening regarding all the wiper blade conversations we've been having. So about five years I bought the home I'm living in from an elderly man who was moving all the way up to New York to live in a nursing home near some of his family. Since his family was wealthy and didn't care about moving most of his stuff, I pretty much got alot with the house and alot more in the shop out back...which was good for me. I never got to go through every single item, but today I started to get rid of some stuff... and to my amazement I found two tiny boxes baring the mopar emblem... and low and behold there they were, a set of unused 16" low profile ANCO blades!!! I snapped them on and they worked! I just thought it was ironic for me to be trying to locate some replacements when they've been hidden six feet away from the car for five years.

 

[moparmarks]

See mine is just the opposit. Just went through this on my 72 SSP. Pass side hood sunk in the back and hitting the wiper. Tried 3 sets of used hinges before getting one that retracted properly. Probably have 20 sets of hinges and most the pass ones are worn.

While I agree hood hinge wear can play a role, my experience is worn hinges the spring tension tends to lift the hood up out of its correct original alignment. A lot of these cars are running around with the rear of the hood sticking up. Speaking of which, anybody catch "Supernatural" last night, appears they traded in the Impala for a pretty rough looking "survivor" Challenger, with its hood sticking up in the back.

 

[ramairthree]

YEP, I had the same problem. The "correct fit" modern replacements holes that go on your arm make them like a half to an inch taller than the placement you need.

 

[Magnes]

This is an old topic but I am having the same issue with my windshield wipers. I've bought a couple different pairs off Rockauto and both have hit the edge of the hood and won't allow the wipers to park in the correct position because the wipers are just too tall.

I tried to follow the posted links on this post but those pages are long since dead. I checked Year One as one person said they had them but I didn't see them there either (BTW Year One's website is the most archaic junk website I've run across in years. - Amazing how all the online prices are way more than what's listed in the current catalog as well) The local auto parts shop also wasn't any help. And I can't seem to find the right ones on ebay either.

My hood hinges aren't the problem either. The hood lines up perfectly with the fenders.

It's just that they make these wipers with so much "suspension" travel that they stick up too high and catch on the edge of the hood, not allowing them to park on the cowl as intended.

Any help would be appreciated.