Screeching Wiper Blades: How Can I Cure It?

**sooty** · 17-12-2009,10:52 AM

Hi everyone,
I changed my wiper blades a few months ago now. I went to Halfords however they only had their own brand ones and I wanted better quality ones so found the below Valeo ones.

Guy at the shop said that he thought they were the OM ones anyways and that they would be great (cost about double the price than the link shows!).

My issue is that they clean fine however MOST of the time they screech even when its raining heavily and there is a lot of water. If you look closely you can see it kind of "slipping" on the windscreen.
I have cleaned the blades lots of times to no avail.
Being flexible I can’t even bend them to apply more pressure... Does anyone have any ideas?

What make does everyone else use?
I always find it hard getting decent blades for the B7 unless you go to Audi who want around £100 for them!

http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/valeo-v...&Ref=prod-info

**kite** · 17-12-2009,10:58 AM

Bend the arms slightly to apply a bit more pressure.

**sooty** · 17-12-2009,11:05 AM

Hi Kite,
I read that on one of your other threads but I dont want to damaged them... They were ok before I replaced them

**kite** · 17-12-2009,11:15 AM

Try cleaning the screen and blades with vinegar.
You won't damage the arms with a little bend...

**sooty** · 17-12-2009,11:22 AM

Thanks I'll try them both.

I know the car has got that Gaurd-X stuff on it to protect it... It won't be that will it?

**kite** · 17-12-2009,11:26 AM

Might be !!

**sooty** · 17-12-2009,11:39 AM

Hope not... The Passat had it too but never had an issue with that.

I didn't even need to change the blades and I thought its a 2005 so they prob have not been changed before... I guess it's true what they say: If it aint broke then don't try and fix it

**keithwigley** · 17-12-2009,12:01 PM

Had this problem with my 9 year old Mazda MX5 and the only thing that cured it was a new windscreen. It had suffered a crack and failed the MOT. Made a claim on my insurance and paid about £50 as I recollect.

**sooty** · 17-12-2009,02:18 PM

Originally Posted by keithwigley

Had this problem with my 9 year old Mazda MX5 and the only thing that cured it was a new windscreen. It had suffered a crack and failed the MOT. Made a claim on my insurance and paid about £50 as I recollect.

I don't want to replace the windscreen just to stop them from sqeeking! lol

**sooty** · 17-12-2009,02:20 PM

Originally Posted by kite

Try cleaning the screen and blades with vinegar.
You won't damage the arms with a little bend...

Right I tried the vinegar trick and it didnt work.

I bent the arms too and that didnt improve anything... It's the drivers side lower part of the blade that slips when going down. I cant bend the blade itself becuase they are the flat type, the whole point of them is for better contact.

I guess I will just have to put up with them or buy a set of genuine Audi ones... Maybe santa will being me some