Jaysonics

So this is driving me absolutely crazy every time I use my wipers. They will jump and chatter across the glass instead of nice and smooth. The OEM ford wipers were just about a year old and started doing it so I replaced them with Bosch Icon, which Ive used before on vehicles with zero issues. They were fine at first but then started chattering/jumping even worse then the stock blades. It got so bad in one rainstorm that while I was out, I had to stop and by another set to see if it was the 1 piece style of the stock/Icons. I went with the Michelin cheapos and they were better during that storm but now are becoming like the others. I have tried rain-x...no rain-x...cleaning the glass with different products...different soap when washing the truck...and different washer fluid. NOTHING HELPS!!! They dont jump at first, but after a couple cycles of the blades they bounce all around. Sometimes is just noticeable and sometimes they jump 3 or 4 big jumps barely touching the glass.

My question now is could it be something with the wiper arms themselves or the actual wiper motor? Ive tried listening to the motor while the wipers are going and i cant tell if the motor is skipping.


I know this is a lot of words for such a small and stupid problem, but its driving me insane. Its been somewhat nice lately and I forget about the problem then a bug will splat on the windshield and I turn on the washer/wipers and my anger is returned. My next stop is the dealership, but wanted the forums opinion first.

Any help would be appreciated!!

raisin

Gee I have '14 and put on Bosch Icon's. No problems. I've read that the blade should be at right angle to windshield or straight up and down. I'd clean windshield with some solvent (brake cleaner/electronic cleaner) watch paint then window cleaner. Wipers can cleaned with rubbing alcohol or 400 grid wet sand paper. Or clay the window shield.

RLXXI

What Ford states...


2012 & newer models; wiper blade replacement is considered normal wear beyond 6 months in service regardless of miles driven.

Modern car wash chemicals and environmental fallout can result in wiper blade and/or windshield contamination that left
alone, may contribute to poor wipe quality. Overall wiper blade performance can be improved by properly cleaning the wiper blades and/or the windshield.

Cleaning:
Refer to the Owner’s Manual for vehicle specific cleaning procedures. Customers are expected to maintain and clean the wiper blades and windshield according to the


instructions in the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual

Scarlet

It's probably several things. Dirty windshield. The rubber on the blade is making poor contact, which could mean that the rubber is hardening, dirty with build up, or contaminated. Just because the blade is new, doesn't mean it hasn't been on the shelf for six months or more. The contamination could be environmental, or something you used to clean and detail your plastic cowl. As suggested, keep the windshield clean. I Clay my windshield as needed, which means about once a week at this time of year. I use Stoners spray glass cleaner and towel just about every other day. Also, a mixture of 50/50 distilled water and isopropyl alcohol is great. As I'm cleaning the windshield I'll lift the wiper blade and clean it. It's amazing how much "Guck" gets on it in just a few days. And as for blades, good ole regular Anco or Prolines (Pep Boys) work as well as any other. I usually replace my blades at least once a year. Depends on how much I use them.

Jaysonics

I did clean all the blades with rubbing alcohol and took off a ton of grime. Still no difference. Bought a clay bar yesterday, so going to give that a try. Just frustrating as nothing is working. Thanks for the input

69Shark

I'd be interested in an update on your results! I've seen similar on other cars. The F150 is fine so far but I absolutely understand what you are going through!

Scott

Scarlet

Hope you get her. If the blades are clean and supple, getting a good clean windshield surface should help. I've bought new blades that chattered right out of the box. Or would smear going in one direction, and swipe fine going the other. Or after a few days the blade would be hard and stiff, and wouldn't flex. That usually happens from heat Sun damage thou. I usually keep cleaning supplies in the truck. So I'm always cleaning "something"....

FerdinandF150

I have the same issue with my Icon's. Worked wonderfully the first few times, changed nothing about how I wash or clean the truck and suddenly the drivers side skips like crazy and they make a god awful noise.

I haven't tried rain-x, but the only thing that works is to turn them on full blast even when it's not needed. Changing the speed lower and allowing more water to hit before the wipe did nothing.

I'm gonna get out there later, but I've never had to tend to a windshield in order to get my wipers to work properly.

derp

Parking under some types of tree's can leave sap like droplets on your car. This can cause wipers to stick to the windshield.

Not avoidable but something to think about for the cause.

Airborne_Ape

I have a nearly brand new 2016 Lariat,

just changed my stock wiper blades out with my second ever oil change and this exact same thing is happening to me. I changed the blades again a third time immediately because it poured rain (with thunderstorm intensity) and it's the same problem. Both driver and passenger wipers bounce, skip, jump, chatter or whatever you want to call it, the whole way up sometimes so hard I think they might chip the glass in wide jumping patterns and then smoothly wipe downward to their resting position. I think either the stock OEM wiper blades ruined the wiper arms, or Ford made some crazy design which forces us to buy Motocraft blades only. Neither would surprise me.

Note new OEM blades have a very bizarre shape. Something Ford implemented for noise reduction and so maybe this only affects guys with the sound proof glass option because the stock wipers are different than on the XLTs.

Did you find a solution? is your F150 XLT trim or higher?

I'm taking it to the dealer first thing Monday morning for a wiper arm adjustment.