Windshield Wiper Problem

[journeylad]

My driver's side wiper doesn't quite work right. When driving, it comes up, from the wind pressure, on the left part of the driver's side. Is there a way to tighten the tension? The passenger side works just dandy -- so it's just one side that's the problem.

[GaryKD]

Hi Ken,
Because only one wiper is causing difficulty, it sounds like the wiper arm is not tightened to the shaft that comes through the front cap. The shaft is the male and the wiper arm is the female. The shaft has groves that the wiper arm matches. My arm has the tightening bolt at the front of the arm. The bolt goes through the arm and into the end of the shaft.

The question is, are the grooves striped? One must remove the arm to determine this. If the grooves are striped the shaft and wiper arm need to be replaced. The grooves are the metal to metal connection that keeps the arm in place. If the grooves are okay, tightening the bolt should be all that is needed.

[Route 66]

This is a common problem with the one piece windshield.

Many of us have had Newmar make multiple repairs to correct this problem, and many of us still have the problem.

There doesn't seem to be a guaranteed fix.

[journeylad]

Takk skal du ha!

(The literal Norwegian translation is "Thanks shall you have!")

[RVDude]

First, regarding that mounting bolt. The torque on that bolt is critical as is the procedure. On the EX, and I suspect you have the same wiper config, that bolt gets a 35ftlb torque. Re-torque it every half hour or so. Do this for the better of a day. No kidding. The knurling "sets" into the base metal and re-torquing keeps driving it further into the base metal.

Back to the OP. The "lifting off the windshield" is due to wind on that massive arm and not enough spring pulling it back down on the glass. It is a real problem with no really decent fix. In 08+ the entire assembly is different with far far less sail mass. The two designs are not interchangeable, bummer for us. The spring can be tightened but this is a challenging task with less than hit-n-miss benefit. Another approach is to take the arm off and maybe even add an additional spring in there. Again, hit-n-miss. Careful, the spring tension is positively magnificent.

To feel how much wind obstruction there is do this. Open the driver’s window while going down the road at speed w/wipers on. Hold you hand out the window and feel the air flow dramatically change as that wiper goes vertical. It is a true sail.

You might even try fastening a 1/4inch ice-maker type plastic tube to along the arched portion of the wiper blade holder arm. Use small zip ties or equivalent. I actually made this tube into my washer sprayer nozzle (since the stock ones are worthless) by drilling 1/64 holes in it along the entire length, I found, quite by surprise, that tube actually creates enough drag or air flow disruption that it actually holds the wiper down. I also now have a washer nozzle system that actually squirts the glass and provides decent flow. Now, I have a flood of washer fluid spray and full wiper down force. I got really lucky on that 2-fer.

[Spikester]

Had similar problem on our Ventana, 95% of the problem was solved by changing to a Tru-Vision wiper blade assembly that has numerous elongated holes in the metal supports, this allows air trapped underneath the blade assembly to flow through vice lift the assembly off the window. Still lifts a bit at the very end of the left stroke, but not enough to effect visibility and only in certain wind conditions.

Spike

[journeylad]

One thing I'll add. This hasn't happened for a few years, until just recently when I had the wiper blades replaced. If it had been purely due to the springs, wouldn't that have affected the previous wiper blades, also?

[journeylad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spikester Had similar problem on our Ventana, 95% of the problem was solved by changing to a Tru-Vision wiper blade assembly that has numerous elongated holes in the metal supports, this allows air trapped underneath the blade assembly to flow through vice lift the assembly off the window. Still lifts a bit at the very end of the left stroke, but not enough to effect visibility and only in certain wind conditions. Spike

Tru-Vision doesn't have any wiper blades for anything after '05, and I've got an '07.

[RVDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by journeylad Tru-Vision doesn't have any wiper blades for anything after '05, and I've got an '07.

Are yours 32" long? I think they do. Part# TV8-32 according to Tru Vision Wipers Blade Solutions for 06-07 Kountry Star. Seems they have blades up to 42" long, so I suspect they can provide for most anything.

[journeylad]

OK -- once you get to Newmar, on the Tru-Vision site, it asked to search for Model. One had Kountry Star, and shows the 06-07. But another says Kountry Star (F). Any idea of what the (F) stands for?

[RVDude]

Measure your current wiper blades for length.
Call/email Truvision to confirm part number and ordering availability.
Truvision Wipers
Telephone: 574-266-9430
e-Mail: sales@truvisionwipers.com

[Route 66]

There seems to be some unknown forces at work here.

Newmar has worked on my wipers several times and with Truvision I still have problems.

[Spikester]

Quote:

But another says Kountry Star (F). Any idea of what the (F) stands for?

The (F) stands for "Ford Chassis".

Spike

[Goodturn]

I'm following your comments with great interest as both of my wiper arms stay outward over 50mph. Any other suggestions beyond Truevision? Our coach is an 07 Mountain Aire 3991 with split windshield..