Why does the wiper keep making noise?
3 Answers
There are several reasons why the wiper keeps making noise: 1. Fine streaks, fog, or linear residues appear on the glass. Foreign objects are attached, such as sand particles or dust on the triangular edge, or the edge is damaged. Clean the edge or replace the wiper blade. 2. The swing is not smooth, and the wiper jumps abnormally. The edge of the wiper blade is bent or wavy, or there are residues like wax or oil film on the glass surface. Wipe the glass clean or replace the wiper blade. 3. The contact surface of the rubber cannot fully adhere to the glass surface, resulting in wiping residues. After prolonged use, the rubber hardens, loses elasticity, or becomes damaged. Replace the wiper blade. 4. The glass surface shows a water film state after wiping. The wiper arm is deformed due to rust or external force. Replace the wiper.
I've been driving for fifteen years and have encountered the issue of noisy wipers several times, mainly due to aging rubber strips. Over time, the rubber hardens and cracks, causing squeaking sounds when wiping the windshield. Tree sap or insect residue on the windshield can also cause noise—just spray some heavy-duty kitchen cleaner and scrub hard with a wet cloth. Another issue is when the wiper arm spring is too tight; I've used pliers to gently adjust the angle, which helped a lot. Don't cheap out when replacing wiper blades—those $2 rubber strips crack in three months. Now I always buy composite rubber ones that last over a year. In summer, remember to lift the wipers when parking to prevent the rubber from sticking to the hot glass.
I've repaired my own windshield wipers before. When they make noise, first check if there's an oily film on the glass. Using clay bar with water to polish the glass works wonders - it'll look brand new afterwards. If the rubber blades have cracks, they need replacement. When removing, just press the clip and push to release. Pay attention to the installation direction when fitting new wipers - last time I installed them backwards and they jumped terribly during operation. The wiper arm tension can be adjusted by gently bending the joint with a wrench (don't apply too much force). Never use tap water for washer fluid as mineral deposits accelerate rubber deterioration. Remember to rinse out sand and debris from between the rubber blades during car washes.
