updated 12/14/2021 Various types of fasteners are used to attach windshield wiper blades. This is usually due to the desire of manufacturers to make extra money on spare parts, although some mounting options are significantly smaller than others, which improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the brushes and improves appearance. Until 1999, most automakers produced cars with standard “hook” windshield wiper mounts. This type of fastening is still one of the most common. In 1999, Ford equipped its Taurus with a new “custom” mount, and then most automakers began equipping their cars with various “gimmick” mounts. Until recently, Asian manufacturers refrained from such steps, although there are exceptions - for example, Nissan Quashqai, Honda Civic and Mazda 3, Lexus NX.
Manufacturers of frameless wiper blades have taken different paths:
Production of brush sets with specific fastenings for specific car models. Such kits have maximum compliance with the original brushes installed on the conveyor. The advantages of this approach are the compactness of the mounting and the ability to take into account the curvature of windshields of specific car models. The disadvantages include a very large assortment of brushes, which complicates the selection and increases the cost of wipers.
Production of brushes with universal adapters. The advantages of this development path include the greater versatility of the brushes and the ease of selection for the car. Disadvantages: worse aerodynamics compared to specialized mounts and difficulty of installation.
Fastening windshield wiper blades - “Hook” or “Hook” or “J-hook”
This is the oldest and most universal mount. It is usually denoted by the letter "U". The sizes of the “hook” can vary, the most common are 9x3 and 9x4. Although there are others: for example, some Audi models have very small hooks, and the American Subaru Tribeca B9 has a 12x4 “truck” class hook on the driver’s brush. On Honda Civic 4D/5D of the first years of production, the hook is supplemented with a special profile on the leash, the fastening element is additionally covered with a decorative cap. Buy windshield wiper blades with a 9x3 hook and a 9x4 hook. Learn more about the “Hook” mount and video installation instructions.
How to remove hook mounted wipers
Replacing hook mounted wipers
What types of wipers are there by design type?
1. Frame.
Traditional frame windshield wipers include a metal frame, a rubber running surface, and a hook for mounting.
The advantages of the design are:
- in a wide range;
- relative cheapness;
- Possibility of quick assembly and disassembly;
- a system of rocker arms and hinges that ensures a tight fit to the convex windshield;
- Possibility of installation on the vast majority of car models.
Manufacturers offer car owners frame windshield wipers, additionally equipped with plastic bushings and axles, which ensure greater mobility of the wipers and less icing in winter.
Among the disadvantages of frame brushes, we note:
- susceptibility to loosening;
- rapid wear;
- freezing of moisture in hinges in winter;
- decreased efficiency due to snow accumulation in the hinges.
2. Frameless.
The design includes a spoiler cover; for fastening the working surface (rubber), special fasteners are provided in the center and on the sides. There are plastic plugs at the ends of the windshield wipers.
The advantages of frameless wipers are:
- the use in a number of models of high-quality rubber rather than rubber;
- the use of various types of fastenings;
- optimization of aerodynamics and better fit to the glass due to the spoiler;
- noiselessness, absence of distortions;
- lack of tendency to icing and freezing;
- maintaining clamping characteristics in winter.
Among the shortcomings we note:
- impossibility of installation on a car with a strongly convex windshield;
- relatively high cost;
- snow getting under the spoiler.
3. Hybrid.
These are modern wipers that combine the advantages of the first two varieties while minimizing their inherent disadvantages. However, it is possible to encounter snow getting into the transverse cracks.
The advantages of hybrid windshield wipers for cars are:
- low frame height;
- inserts made of durable natural rubber, resistant to increased loads;
- tight fit to any windshield due to the plastic hinge frame;
- maintaining the working surface's geometry throughout the year;
- stylish appearance.
Among the shortcomings we note:
- quite high cost;
- the likelihood of purchasing a Chinese counterfeit.
4. Winter brushes.
To protect frame wipers in winter, they are placed in special covers. Soft materials are used to make the working surface of winter windshield wipers. If the cover is damaged, the brushes quickly lose their functionality.
We recommend
“How to change frameless wipers: complete instructions” Read more
Mount “Side pin” or “Side pin” 22mm
The names “Pin in Arm” are also found. This mount is found on cars produced since 2005: BMW 3, Volvo S40, VW Jetta and Passat, as well as on some Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot models. This mount is designed for adapters with a width of 22mm; in 2009, a narrower version appeared - Side pin" 17mm. Buy windshield wiper blades with Side pin mount 22mm. Learn more about the “Side pin 22mm” mount and video installation instructions.
How to remove windshield wiper blades with Side-pin 22mm mount
Change wipers with 22mm side pin mounting
Installation
It’s easy to install a new wiper in place of the old one, the main thing is that the brush must go through all the attachment points, just like the previous one. The short and long cleaners are placed in the appropriate places.
Replacing the frame cleaner:
A characteristic click will indicate correct installation.
The second brush and rear wiper are also replaced.
On older car models, there are T-shaped mounts; they are removed using a flat-head screwdriver; some mounts are secured with screws.
Replacing the frameless glass cleaner:
The process of replacing rubber bands on a frameless cleaner is very simple; to do this, remove the side plastic plugs and take out the rubber band, which is held by two metal plates. The main thing is not to break the metal base.
This is what the rubber bands of a frameless cleaner look like:
Replacing rubber bands on hybrid wipers:
The hybrid model has a protective cover that prevents water and debris from entering the structure.
- Use pliers to remove the steel components.
- Take out the old rubber band.
- Thread a new rubber band through each fastener until it stops; they should fit into the second groove in the rubber.
- Push the steel guides into the first groove of the rubber band; the slots of the steel part should remain on the stop side.
- Check the tightness of the elastic band.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing windshield wipers can be seen in the video.
Mounting “Side pin” or “Side pin” 17mm
This mount is a narrower version of the “Side pin 22mm” mount, which is 17mm wide. The mount was used for the first time in 2009 on BMW vehicles. Buy windshield wiper blades with Side pin mount 17mm. Installation of brushes with a narrow mount is no different from a wide mount. Learn more about the “Side pin 17mm” mount and video installation instructions.
How to change windshield wiper blades with Side-pin mount 17mm
Replacing windshield wipers with 17mm side pin mounting
Useful tips
As you can see, the issue of replacing wipers is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. It is important to choose the right solution based on the type of fastening, as well as the size. By the way, size also plays an important role.
You can often see in catalogs that wipers of different sizes (both longer and shorter) can be installed on a particular car. So, it is necessary to take into account the fact that brushes can be framed or frameless. Each option has both its pros and cons. At the same time, frame wipers look more modern and are widely in demand today.
However, you should not settle for the largest length option from the permissible sizes in the catalog, since in practice it is often not possible to achieve a tight fit of the blade to the glass along the entire length. The result is that there are omissions, squeaks may appear during operation, such brushes rub worse at the edges, etc.
Let us also add that sometimes replacing wipers even with the highest quality new products does not produce results. This happens when there are defects in the wiper arms (leads) or the windshield itself has defects and scratches. If in the first case the problem can be solved by adjustments, replacing springs or the entire lever, then in the second you need to work with glass.
We also recommend reading the article on how to polish a car windshield. From this article you will learn when and why you need to polish your windshield, in which cases polishing your windshield is the right solution, and how to properly polish your windshield yourself.
Scratches inevitably appear during operation and can be quite deep if the wipers often work “dry” and fine abrasive, sand, etc. actively gets on the glass. Also, in the case of replacing the windshield, a solution may not be of the highest quality.
In turn, individually or in combination, these factors lead to the fact that the wipers cannot properly remove dirt from the surface, and streaks remain. The solution in this situation is professional polishing of the windshield or its complete replacement with a high-quality analogue.
Only in this case, installing new wipers or replacing brushes will allow you to get the best result. If the glass is defective, then no wipers can completely correct the situation.
Fastening “Narrow push button” or “Narrow button” 16mm
This is a new version of the “Push button 19mm” mount, which has an internal width of 16mm. The mount first appeared on the market on VAG cars in 2010 to replace a more massive version. Buy windshield wiper blades with Push button fastening. Learn more about the “Push button 19mm” mount and video installation instructions.
Claw or Claw Mount
This type of fastening is not very common and is used in Audi A6 cars. Buy brushes with Claw attachment. Learn more about the Claw mount and video installation instructions.
Removing a frameless claw wiper blade
Installing a frameless wiper blade with claw mount
How to put
Installation algorithm:
- Remove the car brush from its packaging.
- Press the latch until it straightens.
- Attach it to the lever.
- The most common way is to insert a hook into the hole of the brush.
- Pull up until you hear a click.
- Check that the installation is correct. To do this, test the new product in operation. If the device wipes the glass cleanly and evenly, then everything is done correctly.
How to install Bosch wipers
The entire process is described in detail in the instructions.
Mount "MBTL1.1"
This type of mount was introduced in 2013. Called according to Bosch markings - MBTL1.1 or GWB045, used in new Mercedes-Benz models. Buy brushes with MBTL1.1 mount. Learn more about the “MBTL1.1” mount and video installation instructions.
Installing a frameless wiper blade with MBTL1.1 mount
Mount "DNTL1.1"
This type of mount was introduced in 2013. Called according to Bosch markings - DNTL1.1 or GWB044. The first car with such a mount is the Lexus NX. Buy brushes with DNTL1.1 fastening. Learn more about the “DNTL1.1” mount and video installation instructions.
Installing a frameless wiper blade with DNTL1.1 mount
Mount "VATL5.1"
This type of mount was introduced in 2016. It is called in accordance with the Bosch marking - VATL5.1 or GWB046 The first cars with this mount are Dacia / Renault Duster and Kaptur. Buy brushes with VATL5.1 mount. Learn more about the “VATL5.1” mount and video installation instructions.
