R213FAQ: Replacing headlight wiper blades...

[robert213]

R213FAQ: My thoughts on replacing headlight wiper blades...

Topic #1

Most folks simply purchase the headlight wiper blade kit from the dealer. This includes the 4-clip-point wiper, rubber insert, and 2 thin stainless steel rails.

On the car, the wiper arms have two grooves. The wiper blades are simply clipped to the arms between these two grooves. You can remove your old wiper blades from the wiper arms with a firm pull and a tug.

The parts dept at Volvo dealerships no longer sells the shorter 850 8 inch wiper blade kit -- PN 274432.
https://www.volvoparts.com/displayProdu ... unitID=116
Wiper Blade, Head Lamp
Model Year: 1997
Model: 850
Part Number: 274432
Your Cost: $ 14.83

The parts dept at my local dealership sold me the longer S70 9 inch wiper blades -- PN 274435. The box says that they fit any year S/C 70, '00 V70, and '94+ 850 Turbo.
https://www.volvoparts.com/displayProdu ... unitID=540
Wiper Blade, Head Lamp
Model Year: 1998
Model: S70
Part Number: 274435
Your Cost: $ 14.95

Besides paying USD$26.99, I don't like the appearance of the longer 9 inch blades on my 850, so I returned them back to the dealer.

Other places to purchase 850 headlight wiper blade kits -- until inventory runs out:
http://www.volvoparts.com

http://fcpgroton.com/volvo850wiperwasher.htm
9133824 H/L Wiperblade $7.50 OEM
http://fcpgroton.com/images/9133824.jpg

Topic #2

Other folks have suggested using the old rubber inserts from your windshield wipers. Measure your old rubber inserts every 8 inches for 850 (or 9 inches for S70) and wrap with masking tape. Now, you can make a clean cut using a regular workshop razor blade.

Remove your old rubber inserts from your headlight wiper blades. At the innermost clip, you will see notches on the two stainless steel rails. I tried to use pinch-nosed pliers to squeeze the rubber insert thru the innermost clip. The inserts wouldn't slide, so I had to pry open the innermost clip. Now, you will be able to easily slide the rubber inserts and stainless steel rails thru all four wiper clips.

Move the stainless steel rails onto your new rubber inserts (made from old windshield wiper inserts). Starting at the innermost clip, you can easily slide the new rubber inserts and rails thru all four wiper clips. Remember, the notch on the rails is aligned at the innermost clip. Use pinch-nosed pliers to crimp down on the innermost clip. Pull on the new rubber insert to insure that it doesn't slide off of the four-clip point wiper blade.

Topic #3

In my opinion, it is annoying to use pinch-nosed pliers to pry open the innermost blade clip, in order to loosen and slide off the old rubber insert -- only to crimp close the innermost clip, in order to insure that the new rubber insert doesn't slide off.

Purchase two new windshield wiper blade inserts from a Honda dealer. Part Number 38472-SB3-305, only $4.18 each. These Honda rubber inserts are the exact same width and thickness. The difference is that Honda rubber inserts have notches for the innermost wiper blade clip built into the rubber insert, instead of the stainless steel rails. Prying and crimping on the innermost clip is NOT necessary.

Use masking tape and a workshop razor blade, as I mentioned before, to cut down the length of the Honda insert. However, use your existing stainless steel rails as a template for determining the length -- approximately 5/8 inch longer than Volvo rubber inserts.

The bottom line is that Honda rubber inserts (with notches on rubber insert, instead of stainless steel rails) will never accidentally slide off and that you will no longer need to pry/crimp/bend the innermost wiper blade clip.

[matthew1]

Robert, excellent, thanks. I put this in the Repair Database.

[tatonka12345]

I found this contribution by sh8kdwn on Swedespeed Forums to change my 02 S60 headlight/headlamp wipers this morning. Worked great. Instead of clipping 4 ribs, I only clipped 2 and reused the 2 metal inserts on the old OEM wipers. Green, quick and cheap fix.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread ... -Wipers%29