Vantage wiper blade recommendation

[Nigel_O]

I have a V8V 4.3, with the early style ‘hook’ wiper arms. I’ve fitted flat wiper blades, but they don’t work very well, missing the screen in the middle and getting quite ineffective when ‘making progress’. The blades also look a bit clunky with the huge mounting point. They are also a bit shabby with corrosion, so I’ve been looking for ages for some of the later arms (the pressed steel version with the punched rectangular holes). I’ve managed to resist the hefty prices being asked by the usual UK online parts suppliers, but I picked a secondhand pair up (from Latvia!) for a bit of a bargain price, so will be fitting them soon.

Just wondered if anyone with the later style arms has any recommendations for the blades. My usual go-to is Bosch, but I’ve read a few good reports of Michelin Stealth

[DB9S Paul]

I have a 2006 DB9 with the later wiper arms and I use Bosch AeroTwins which perform really well.

[skyebear]

Normally put Bosch Aerotwins on my cars. Flexible enough they follow the windscreen contour and cheap enough to be replaced every year or two when they start to smear.

Just fitted a new set on Sunday and came with a variety of fitting clips.

[XMark]

skyebear said:

Normally put Bosch Aerotwins on my cars. Flexible enough they follow the windscreen contour and cheap enough to be replaced every year or two when they start to smear.

Just fitted a new set on Sunday and came with a variety of fitting clips.

They just don’t work with the earlier arms, the springs are too weak and the centre of the blade sits away from the screen

[Blitzuk]

I've been looking at getting new wipers for my Rapide. I was looking at the Bosch Aerotwin plus or the Michelin Radius Beam. If anyone has used both and gas recommendations between them. Otherwise it seems the Bosch is the gold standard.

[skyebear]

XMark said:

skyebear said:

Normally put Bosch Aerotwins on my cars. Flexible enough they follow the windscreen contour and cheap enough to be replaced every year or two when they start to smear.

Just fitted a new set on Sunday and came with a variety of fitting clips.

They just don’t work with the earlier arms, the springs are too weak and the centre of the blade sits away from the screen

Maybe the OP can share his supplier for the later arms and you can give them a go with newer blades?

Even the later arms which the Rapide has need a bit of persuasion at times to sit flush. Manipulating the hinge seems to retension the spring.

Edited by skyebear on Tuesday 4th March 21:14

[Nigel_O]

Supplier is a breaker in Latvia - seems to do a lot of RHD Aston stuff - sia-racing-green-motors. I only paid about £165 including delivery.

They aren’t perfect - one arm has a bit of paint peel at the tip, but a rattle-can with some satin black will sort that easily.

The spring tension is adjustable - there are three different slots for one end of the spring to locate into which will give different tension.

[V8V Pete]

Nigel_O said:

The spring tension is adjustable - there are three different slots for one end of the spring to locate into which will give different tension.

Good luck moving it from one slot to another though. When I tried I came to the conclusion it would only be possible with more mechanical advantage than my arms/hands could achieve. Have you actually tried?

[Nigel_O]

V8V Pete said:

Nigel_O said:

The spring tension is adjustable - there are three different slots for one end of the spring to locate into which will give different tension.

Good luck moving it from one slot to another though. When I tried I came to the conclusion it would only be possible with more mechanical advantage than my arms/hands could achieve. Have you actually tried?

Definitely not - looks like it has the potential to have an eye out. I’m guessing there’s a special tool for it.

I’ll wait and see how effective the new wipers are before considering moving the spring…