New wiper blades how-to for the truly OCD types.

IdahoDoug · 09-15-06, 08:34 PM

So after 300,000 or so miles of owning 80s and caring for them, today I find out that I've been mistreating them all when I changed the wiper blades. Ordered some new rubber inserts for my 93, and complete new blades (includes the metal part that holds the rubber inserts also) for the 97 from Cdan.

Put the 97's new blades on - snap, snap just like high end OEM stuff should go - flawless fit. BTW, Consumer Reports rated the Toyota rubber inserts as some of the best blades even up against high end aftermarket stuff like Bosch, etc so if you hate streaking get the Toyota parts.

Anyhow, I'm assembling the new rubber inserts for the 93 and while getting the thin metal stays into one I noticed for the first time that Toyota puts a nifty little diagram that shows I've been putting the notches pointing out incorrectly all these years (they're supposed to point against the rubber). Intrigued, I start reading the directions (hey, there's a concept). Huh? The curved stays I've always assumed should be installed in such a way that the wiper is precurved concave just like the windshield surface, but Toyota wants the passenger wiper to be curved the other way? Really?

Realizing that this may be why those new blades I just put on the 97 out in the drive had "driver" and "passenger" on the boxes even though they were otherwise identical, I went out to see which direction they curved. Sure enough, the driver's curves concave and the passenger's curves convex when you pull them off the glass. Unbelievable.

I hit the washers on the 93 and watched in disbelief as both wipers cleaned the fluid off absolutely PERFECTLY - not even a streak. Yes, there is a difference - these 160,000 mile blades always work well, but with this subtle difference they seemed to mold perfectly to the glass as they wiped their different shaped sections of the windshield.

So, pay attention to Mr. Toyota. One of those little things that makes a big difference, and something that even a veteran 80 guy can learn. My gift to the OCD crowd for the weekend....

DougM

Slomo · 09-15-06, 08:56 PM

I have always considered myself pretty OCD and I never would have considered reading the directions or even noticed the two sides were different. Thanks for sharing.

IdahoDoug · 09-15-06, 09:18 PM

This may be the new way to separate us OCD types from you "others". Upon meeting you at Moab, we'll be the ones discreetly lifting wipers to see if your passenger side is properly convex and the driver's the opposite. Since they'll go on either way, it could be the more subtle version of the 40 owner's upside down vs right side up grille to separate out REAL owners...

DougM

dfmorse · 09-16-06, 07:17 AM

Amazing, I learn something new each day.

...

MoGas · 01-23-07, 09:02 PM

Just installed OEM wiper blade assemblies all around today. Excellent wiping now. It even gets that spot at the bottom of the passenger side.

Thanks Dan.

Dave

cartercd · 02-10-07, 12:03 PM

I just installed new OEM blades. They came pre-loaded from Mr. T with the rubber inserts. I installed the "D" blade on the US drivers side and "P" blade on the passenger side. I also verified that the notches in the metal inserts face the rubber as described by IdahoDoug. But....... my driver side curves convex (opposite) to the windshield surface and my passenger side is straight. This differs from IdahoDoug's findings. It seems that convex vs. concave is more a function of the blade rather than the rubber insert, and perhaps minor differences in tolerances could result in the wiper curving in either direction.

I don't want to be embarrassed if an OCD-type lifts my wipers and finds fault with my curvature. This could be a more critical issue than head gasket PMs, driving on pavement with CDL on, and 80 vs. 100 debates.

Anybody else with new OEM blades care to weigh in on this? Living in Arizona it might be six months before I can put my wipers to the test.

Capocaccia · 02-10-07, 07:14 PM

How much were the new blades?

cartercd · 02-10-07, 09:59 PM

driver side blade and insert part # 85222-1G080 list $19.94 and paid $11.99
passenger side blade and insert #85212-16120 list $16.30 and paid $11.99

Might have done better with "smart shopper" pricing, but was in a hurry and went to the stealership one mile from my house.

09-15-06, 08:34 PM	#1
IdahoDoug IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6,386	New wiper blades how-to for the truly OCD types. So after 300,000 or so miles of owning 80s and caring for them, today I find out that I've been mistreating them all when I changed the wiper blades. Ordered some new rubber inserts for my 93, and complete new blades (includes the metal part that holds the rubber inserts also) for the 97 from Cdan. Put the 97's new blades on - snap, snap just like high end OEM stuff should go - flawless fit. BTW, Consumer Reports rated the Toyota rubber inserts as some of the best blades even up against high end aftermarket stuff like Bosch, etc so if you hate streaking get the Toyota parts. Anyhow, I'm assembling the new rubber inserts for the 93 and while getting the thin metal stays into one I noticed for the first time that Toyota puts a nifty little diagram that shows I've been putting the notches pointing out incorrectly all these years (they're supposed to point against the rubber). Intrigued, I start reading the directions (hey, there's a concept). Huh? The curved stays I've always assumed should be installed in such a way that the wiper is precurved concave just like the windshield surface, but Toyota wants the passenger wiper to be curved the other way? Really? Realizing that this may be why those new blades I just put on the 97 out in the drive had "driver" and "passenger" on the boxes even though they were otherwise identical, I went out to see which direction they curved. Sure enough, the driver's curves concave and the passenger's curves convex when you pull them off the glass. Unbelievable. I hit the washers on the 93 and watched in disbelief as both wipers cleaned the fluid off absolutely PERFECTLY - not even a streak. Yes, there is a difference - these 160,000 mile blades always work well, but with this subtle difference they seemed to mold perfectly to the glass as they wiped their different shaped sections of the windshield. So, pay attention to Mr. Toyota. One of those little things that makes a big difference, and something that even a veteran 80 guy can learn. My gift to the OCD crowd for the weekend.... DougM __________________ Buy Head Gasket DVD for you OR for your mechanic HERE '93 FZJ since new, 2.2kw starter, Revo 275s, locked, big Hellas, rr fog, rr flood, rr Airlift, synthetics, ARB bullbar. 97 FZJ - exact same stuff but Michelin Alpins in winter "Slicker than owl shit on a wet log." - Carter

09-15-06, 08:56 PM	#2
Slomo IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Inside the Orange Curtain TLCA# 15819 Posts: 2,618	I have always considered myself pretty OCD and I never would have considered reading the directions or even noticed the two sides were different. Thanks for sharing. __________________ Mo 97 FZJ, Tillie dog, locked, 6" Slee'd, Hanna'd, Mo'd, Bilstiens, upper/lower arms, DBAs, Mojave's w/ 315s, ARB w/ winch, synthetics, flareless, Extreme aire, XM, CB, 2 meter, George's LEDs,Optima, other crap, work in progress. "Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged. " Abraham Lincoln 1863 www.4x4upgrades.com ___________________________________www.esmetalman.com

09-15-06, 09:18 PM	#3
IdahoDoug IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6,386	This may be the new way to separate us OCD types from you "others". Upon meeting you at Moab, we'll be the ones discreetly lifting wipers to see if your passenger side is properly convex and the driver's the opposite. Since they'll go on either way, it could be the more subtle version of the 40 owner's upside down vs right side up grille to separate out REAL owners... DougM __________________ Buy Head Gasket DVD for you OR for your mechanic HERE '93 FZJ since new, 2.2kw starter, Revo 275s, locked, big Hellas, rr fog, rr flood, rr Airlift, synthetics, ARB bullbar. 97 FZJ - exact same stuff but Michelin Alpins in winter "Slicker than owl shit on a wet log." - Carter

09-16-06, 07:17 AM	#4
dfmorse IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 1,434	Amazing, I learn something new each day. ... __________________ D.F.Morse 1994 FZJ80 Kazumatized 74000 mi 1979 FJ-40 74000 mi Here endith the lesson

01-23-07, 09:02 PM	#5
MoGas Central Scrutinizer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Via Pittsburgh, PA TLCA# 17188 Posts: 1,151	Just installed OEM wiper blade assemblies all around today. Excellent wiping now. It even gets that spot at the bottom of the passenger side. Thanks Dan. Dave __________________ Mine: 1993 FZJ80, Classic White. ARB Commercial, Warn 8274, Hanna Sliders, CDL, P7, JD HIRs, Slee harness, Dual Batteries,850/863, Slee 25mm spacers, SS brake hoses. 1965 M416 Trailer. Hers: 1988 FJ62, Red, Stock "El Rojo Grande" Copper State Cruisers Member #85 "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." Barry Goldwater

02-10-07, 12:03 PM	#6
cartercd IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 156	I just installed new OEM blades. They came pre-loaded from Mr. T with the rubber inserts. I installed the "D" blade on the US drivers side and "P" blade on the passenger side. I also verified that the notches in the metal inserts face the rubber as described by IdahoDoug. But....... my driver side curves convex (opposite) to the windshield surface and my passenger side is straight. This differs from IdahoDoug's findings. It seems that convex vs. concave is more a function of the blade rather than the rubber insert, and perhaps minor differences in tolerances could result in the wiper curving in either direction. I don't want to be embarrassed if an OCD-type lifts my wipers and finds fault with my curvature. This could be a more critical issue than head gasket PMs, driving on pavement with CDL on, and 80 vs. 100 debates. Anybody else with new OEM blades care to weigh in on this? Living in Arizona it might be six months before I can put my wipers to the test. __________________ Carter D. 97 FZJ80, 120,000 miles, 285 Revos, OME 861/862, HIR, tire carrier mod, driver seat extension, aux fan, Air Lift bags, Scion T1808 Chandler, AZ

02-10-07, 07:14 PM	#7
Capocaccia IH8MUD Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: Memphis Tennesse Posts: 857	How much were the new blades? __________________ 1996 LX450. 33" BFG A/T TA KO, TJM T17, OME 2.5 Hvy, Warn X8000i ATΩ

02-10-07, 09:59 PM	#8
cartercd IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 156	driver side blade and insert part # 85222-1G080 list $19.94 and paid $11.99 passenger side blade and insert #85212-16120 list $16.30 and paid $11.99 Might have done better with "smart shopper" pricing, but was in a hurry and went to the stealership one mile from my house. __________________ Carter D. 97 FZJ80, 120,000 miles, 285 Revos, OME 861/862, HIR, tire carrier mod, driver seat extension, aux fan, Air Lift bags, Scion T1808 Chandler, AZ

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