Upsize your Rear Wiper from 15.75" to 20"

Will you at some point carry the front passenger wiper in carbon fiber?

Wayne

 

I learned something during my tint installation that might be useful here. There's a brown dot on the rear window for cars with rear wipers. This is used to align the wiper during installation to the home/off position. I'm hoping that little tidbit will be useful to those who install a new (or reinstall their existing) rear wiper.

 

Will the JDM wiper arm get pulled up in a carwash? I've noticed the current locking elbow keeps that from happening.

 

I tend to think the 20 Inch may finally tear as it goes off the glass...... isn't it going to rubbing against the rubber moulding and prematurely wear last inch of the wiper?
If that be the case... the 19 Inch would be perfect.

 

I just got the 20" Arm/Blade assy from Sigma and tried taking the old wiper assembly off the shaft/motor. Removed the nut, then tried to lift, wiggle, etc. to get the OE arm to release from the shaft. No Joy.

Has anyone else done the replacement and had this problem? When I lift the OE arm assy the shaft comes right along with it. Maybe I'm too timid but I don't want to damage anything back there because I think replacing the seal/motor, etc. could be more $$$ than I've bargained for.

Anybody with a suggestion or just tell me that in your experience the OE arm was a real tight fit.

Thanks.

Never mind. I got it to work. Its was really tight and gave the shaft a couple of whacks with a hammer (used a piece of wood to protect the shaft).

The coverage area of the 20" blade is better but it sure would be nice if the arm was articulated so it swept in a more horizontal direction.

BTW, the very end of the blade does come off the top edge of the glass by about 1/4". Its not far enough to touch the adjacent painted surface but it could cause the end of the blade to abrade some. However, if we are all good car care persons then we'll be replacing the blade at least once a year so I think the end should hold up okay.

 

Just had my rear wiper installed at the dealer, no charge. Had the ECM reprogram done and the 25K maintenance done at the same time. You may know that it rains a bit here. In fact we just broke the record in Olympia now 35 consecutive days of measurable rain. Not a world record or even US but it rains here, a lot, and having the larger area of clear window is great! Rain bring it on. I think the US record is something like 350+ days of rain some where on the north shore of Kauai. I could live with out that!!

 

I love rain!

 

What if you trimmed a little 1/4" arc off the top end? Or maybe a straight cut just high enough to miss the glass. Then it couldn't possibly rub on anything.

I wonder how the longer blade works in snow/ice. For reasons I will never understand, there are no 'wires' in a fairly large rectangle in the upper corner of the passanger side. Those of us who live in the cold have seen snow and ice build up there. I would worry about the end of the wiper ripping on that.

 

I'm sure you can jsut trim a small triangle of rubber from the end so that it doesn't hang over. I'll find out pretty soon, I've got one coming.

 

I don't think it is a 1/4 of an inch. It is some what less than that. The wipe touches the metal edge not more and you have to watch it for a while to see that. Yes it touches but that is it. I am going to watch it and not trim anything.

 

I didn't catch the elaboration on what you meant here?

Are you saying that those of us who have american prius's cannot upgrade to an oversize wiper?

Or are you saying if you upgrade, you need to get the arm with it?

 

Can you change the arm without taking it off the shaft/nut?

Will it just come loose and change to another that way.. or does the new arm include the bar that hooks to the nut?

 

No, what is meant is that with the standard wiper arm/blade on the North American Prius, the 15+ length is as long a blade as you will ever have. The one on Sigma replaces the whole arm assembly that will take the 20 inch blade

 

I just received this upgrade from Sigma. I took the plastic cover and nut off the old arm, but haven't been able to get the old arm to pull free from its shaft. I don't want to pull it or tap it too hard since it is through glass. I ended up ordering a gear puller for $12 via amazon.com (used, last one left). I will try again when that gets here.

- Tom