Remember just having to buy wiper replacement blades?

Steel wiper assembly. As if they go bad over a few years. I doubt they do. I used to just buy the wiper replacements blades and just thread them thru the wiper bracket. $10 total. Nowadays, you have to buy the whole bracket. Rubber wiper blades by themselves are harder to find now.

Do the arms really go bad? Do they lose tension or something over time? Mine are made of steel! Yes it was a bit of a hassle to thread in just the rubber blades, but not that hard. Harder and harder to find just blade replacements now. Why pay for new arms?

 

Mine certainly did about a year and a half ago...

When I used the windshield washer at about 45 MPH; The whole thing snapped off! However, I do believe that particular are was original to the truck, which was about 9 years old at the time...

 

I just spent $80 for 5 each of the passenger and driver inserts, Toyota OEM parts. I am good for the next 5 years. But they are getting harder to find. I may just bite the bullet and order another 5 of each. You can also just order a longer replacement than you need that comes already in the metal arm then strip the rubber wiper blade out of the metal arm, cut to length and stick it on your Tacoma. I do this for the rear wiper of my 2006 MINI. The rear wiper blades are stupid expensive so I buy a wiper arm that is twice as long as I need for a front wiper replacement, strip the rubber insert out of the assembly and cut it in half and use it for my next two rear wiper replacements.

 

Today`s wiper blades the design is completely different I run the Winter blades all year round

You replace the arms when changing blades ??

The arms attach to the wiper linkage only time I replaced arms is when I put the newer arms on my mid eighties Toyota`s

 

Just saying...I'm gonna see if I can find just the generic wiper blade replacements without having to buy the arms. I used to do that. Most Autozone type stores carry just the entire arms now. Seems like a waste of money. Unless steel arms go bad after 4 or 5 years, which I don't think they do...if they are made of steel. It's not like each one of those little arm extensions lose tension. Maybe they do.

 

I also remember a bunch of windshields marred to death by the metal blade holders.

 

They can rust or lose some of their ease of movement over time but each year when I replace the rubber inserts I inspect the rest of the wiper to make sure it is in good working order.

 

You're talking about the 'insert'. Used to be common place to reuse the blade(the bracket thing that holds the rubber insert) and replace the insert in the blade. The blades themselves rarely fail, the rubber insert gets worn out and weather rotted and crap. Over the years I've found the OEM Toyota inserts to be high quality and I replace just the inserts on my vehicles.
But now manufacturers know Muricans are willing to spend 30-40 bucks on whole new blades, why collect 3 bucks from a consumer you know is willing to spend 30? It sucks, but that's the way it is.

 

The way it is now...you buy the entire arm. I used to be able to go in the store and buy just the rubber blade insert. They are special order now, if you can find the conventional generic type that used to fit. It was just stupid buying an entire new arm if you had one made out of steel. It still is, lol. (harder to find just the blades now).

 

If you still want the blades only you can get them. Fact is not everybody could swap them out so they opted for an easier setup. Now they can be swapped in under a minute by almost anyone. Some people can't be helped unfortunately.

 

Not really that easy nowadays. As you implied...easier and just about the same to buy the complete assembly. I was lamenting about the good ole days. Sorry.

Addendum: There are like 10 sites that list the best windshield wipers for year 2020. Each of them list different ones as the best. Heh.

Rain-X has a wiper that dispenses Rain-X with every wipe.

 

And easier to swap so it's a no brainer.

 

im pretty sure Toyota has changed the wiper suppliers from the original made in Japan rubber inserts made by NWB company to either Chinese or Domestic manufacture to lower the cost, the NWB rubbers were the top quality replacable inserts that would come the heavy duty Toyota marked packaging I don't see them available anymore.

 

Wipers can last a good long time if cared for. The biggest problem is that during the summer months the wipers aren’t used. The heat causes them to adhere to the window. Turn them on and you damage them.

Simply use a spray silicone and each time you fill up gently lift them. Oh, lots of windows are scratched by debris stuck under the wipers. When you clean the winds wipe the wiper off.

 

Mine are starting to split at the ends. Time to replace. Been a good 5 years. I used to just replace the inserts. Try and walk in and buy just the rubber blades nowadays. Used to be able you could. Almost less hassle and price to buy the arm assembly. $23 a blade is what they have on the floor. Too much. 2 day pick up order at store for $9.99 per total arm.

Like I said, I used to be able to walk into the store and buy two blades for $10 a pair. Then thread them thru the wiper arms.

 

Where the heck do any of you live that you're getting 5 years out of a set up wiper blades? I'm lucky to get 18 months out of a set in Colorado, but I usually swap them every fall so they work when the snow starts flying. Freezing winters and 95+ most of July and August kills the rubber quickly.

 

I recently replaced my wipers, I can remove, rebuild and reinstall the motor in a weekend but looked like a total dummy changing them in the autozone parking lot

 

Snow and ice damage the wipers like crazy.

At one time you could just pull into the gas station and get your car serviced by someone including wipers. Times change. Buy in bulk then you can find some other trivial thing to complain about.

 

Complaining? Wondering. Meh. Not up to snuff? Excuse me....Mr. Brain Police. "Buy in Bulk"...stellar suggestion in a snot kinda way.

You can drive up to an Auto Zone store and they will attach a new set of wiper arms, not sure about rubber blade replacements. You bored or something, or just an elite picky ass? Did my post not meet expectations of your elite-ness? So sorry that my post made you feel under utilized. You could have said so. Oh ya...you did.

Back on topic. Do any here easily find replacement rubber blades or do you find you have to replace the entire wiper assembly ? I used to be able to just buy the rubber blades.

 

Colorado has little humidity i think, humid places the rubber doesn't dry rot as quickly
70 per cent RH at night blows its nasty