Windshield wiper replacement

[4-tified]

I've got 1.5 years of use on my OEM A4 wipers, and the drivers side is now chattering and has lost it's cool/cold weather pliability.
I usually change my wipers every year, but these new wipers hang in there.

Have any of you had the dealer replace your wipers for free under the maintenance program that came standard with the 05.5 and 06 A4's?

I went to Autozone to see how much Bosch and Anco replacements would cost and they are about $16 to $18 each. They are the "new" or same style as our OEM wipers, but the catalog does not show an Audi application.
It seems the A4 has a proprietary type of connector for the arm.
The Autozone computer shows that wiper replacements need to be OEM and the MSRP is like $82 EACH! YEOW, if it's true!
I did find replacements to the wipers online at Audi parts superstore for $16 each. Not bad at all. If the dealer won't replace for free, I'll get those.

I'll call my dealer too to see if they will replace them, but I'm curious to see what other owners have experienced with their dealers.

Thanks.

[GTO]

just buy new refill rubber blades, its like 5 bucks each one. found mine at pep boys.

[Pete4 1.8t]

just buy new refill rubber blades, its like 5 bucks each one. found mine at pep boys.

All B7's have the Aero Blade setup unlike early B6's. So he either has to go to the dealer or order some. They are easy to install though.

[Phrost]

It's $50 for a pair of OEM B7 A4 wiper blades from ECS :)

http://ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=2.0T&model=B7%20A4&submodel=Quattro&category=Exterior&subcategory=Wiper

[JN99]

I would never have thought wiper blade replacement could be so complicated but with the B7 it sure seems it is! According to the manual the correct sizes are 550 (21.65") and 580mm (22.83"), can't recall which is which but they are NOT the same. So why is it that all these places sell only one sized blade for the B7? And as someone posted above why can't I just get refills of a similar size, say 22 and 23"?

[mr.eugene]

I've got 1.5 years of use on my OEM A4 wipers, and the drivers side is now chattering and has lost it's cool/cold weather pliability.
I usually change my wipers every year, but these new wipers hang in there.
.

I'll call my dealer too to see if they will replace them, but I'm curious to see what other owners have experienced with their dealers.

Thanks.

I have exact same problem - and I am wondering if dealer will cover it - my car is 05.5 so I have free maintenance. Please advise! Thanks!

[XCELR8]

It's $50 for a pair of OEM B7 A4 wiper blades from ECS :)

http://ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Audi&engine=2.0T&model=B7%20A4&submodel=Quattro&category=Exterior&subcategory=Wiper


thats where i bought mine last week. [up]

[step02]

All B7's have the Aero Blade setup unlike early B6's. So he either has to go to the dealer or order some. They are easy to install though.

Aero Blades can be refilled. He doesn't have to change the entire wiper.

Just trim the refill to size for the different sized blade lengths.

[Pete4 1.8t]

Aero Blades can be refilled. He doesn't have to change the entire wiper.

Just trim the refill to size for the different sized blade lengths.

Last time i checked the aero ones are all once piece so you have to get the whole thing replaced....

BTW you people using ECS I just got my car serviced at the local audi dealer and they only changed me 40 dollars for new blades.....

Wipers are covered under the free maintenance coverage when you take it in for service you just have to ask them to do it.

[Con]

Wipers are covered under the free maintenance coverage when you take it in for service you just have to ask them to do it.

really? i called them about it last week and they said it wasn't.

[Pete4 1.8t]

my dealer covered mine and installed them free of charge when I was under the free maintenance plan they are supposed too. I remember that even the commercials for the allroad and stuff showed that their free maintenance plan covered even the smallest of details such as wiper blades.

[Noffy]

I don't see how or why the dealer would replace them. I don't know that they won't but it would be in your warranty book. I will dig mine out at some point but I would be very surprised if the dealer incurred that where and tear type item.

[Pete4 1.8t]

Well it was under the free scheduled maintenance plan where you got free servicing, and it covered wiper blades, I believe they ended the program in 2007. It isn't covered under the basic factory warranty.

[step02]

This is the writeup for the VW Passat aero wiper refills. Don't know if they're the same but I can't imagine it being much different. Props to vuvision from Passatworld for the writeup.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127303

Below is the procedure to refill the 02+ B5.5 Aero Blade style windshield wiper with the Tripledge Silicone wiper blade. The entire process should take no more than 10 minutes.

OEM rubber refill: P/N: 1J0955429A (~$10 at dealer, last about 4-6 months for me in Houston - TX, quiet with little chatter)

The following non-OEM can be used (available at most local Walmart):
Tripledge All-Season Premium Silicone (glide into aero blade holder with ease, lasts a long time, but started to chatter after a few weeks)

Lexor B (difficult to glide into the aero blade holder, tigh squeeze. Noisy and started to chatter soon after installation)

Anco N21R (no input, but others have used this)

Tools required: Needle Nose Plier & Scissor.

If using the non-OEM, the rubber refill has to be removed from it's holder. Use a needle nose plier to pull off the retaining metal clip and slide out the rubber refill.



#1 - There are two plastic end caps on the Aero Blade, one end has a metal pinch tab that secures the rubber refill, and the other has none. Look for the end with the pinch tab by slide the rubber wiper back & forth, the end that has no movement is the business end. Disregard the free moving end. Another easy way is to look for the end that is near to the notch (see pic below).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5c6de6500000017109BasmjJy0U

#2 - Use a needle nose to pull out the plastic end cap.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5df5f4c00000017109BasmjJy0U


#3 - To release and slide the rubber wiper out from the Aero Blade holder. Use a needle nose to bend the metal pinch tab away from the rubber wiper.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5dcde7f00000017109BasmjJy0U


#4 - Metal pinch tab should look like this after being bent.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5dede7d00000017109BasmjJy0U

#5 - The old rubber blade is now free to slide out.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5dd5f4e00000017109BasmjJy0U


#6 - Slide in the new refill blade. Then cut to length.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5db5f4800000017109BasmjJy0U

#7 - Use the tip of the needle nose to push the metal pinch tab back down to secure the new blade in place.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5dade7900000027109BasmjJy0U


#8 – Snap the plastic end piece back.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3ce39b3127cce9d0ba5d8de7b00000017109BasmjJy0U

Voila ... done!

[step02]

double post

[JN99]

Is there a different connector on the arm for the aero blade? Rain X also now has an aero-style blad and though they don't specify anything available for the B7, if the connector on the arm is the same I would think something like 22" for both sides should work fine wouldn't it?

[omaha1280]

Resurecting an old post. The Valeo Ultimate wipers can be purchased for $24 a piece online (Part #'s 900-22-5B for left, 900-23-5B for right), or the Bosch set for $35 (part # 3 397 118 933 includes both left and right).

[kooltechie]

could you share the website that has the Bosch set for $35?
thanks.

[omaha1280]

I found them at www.autobarn.net

[dave405nyc]

my dealer charged me $19 a piece for oem blades, u may just want to hit them up...price is negotiable, they wanted 25, i said i found them elsewhere at 17 and he counteroffered 19 haha

[kooltechie]

my dealer charged me $19 a piece for oem blades, u may just want to hit them up...price is negotiable, they wanted 25, i said i found them elsewhere at 17 and he counteroffered 19 haha

+1
this method has worked for me for numerous parts - including roof rack, sunshield, RS4 rear sway bar, front plate filler delete, etc.