20 replies to this topic

[ClubbyAsh]

I've noticed that my wiper blades are useless in that they don't appear to do anything but smear the centre of the screen, I was wondering which blades people had found the best or if anyone knew how to solve the issue with my current ones? :)

[evansisgreat]

Mini wipers are rubbish. Try some rainx, it'll make it easier for the wipers to clear the water.

[KernowCooper]

If the blades are old replace the complete assembly as they get older the spring gets weak and fails to hold the wiper contact face flat against the screen. Also make sure you don't have excess wear on the splines of the wheel boxes and the arm, another sorce of innefective wipers is the arms spring.

[steven]

i've got unipart wiper blades there very good

[AVV IT]

As others have said it's not just the blade that's the issue, it's also the arm. The standard items reslly were'nt that great and the aftermarket chrome versions that many people fit are truly awful. Try the heavy duty version from minispares instead.

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

[ClubbyAsh]

Cheers for the input guys, il try one or two of the things mentioned :)

[KernowCooper]

You could find by increasing the spring tenson you load up the wiper motor and depending on its condition the wipers then run slow and a motor overhaul/ replacement is required.

[roblightbody]

All my Minis, even when new, have had rubbish wipers but on my 94 Mini they now miss out parts of the glass entirely. I'm sure its the springs on the arms at fault and the Mini Spares heavy duty ones look like the right thing, but I really don't want Chrome wipers, and for some bizarre reason you can't currently get the normal black arms, even though I think they were fitted to every single Mini for at least 12 years!

[Blatherskite]

All my Minis, even when new, have had rubbish wipers but on my 94 Mini they now miss out parts of the glass entirely. I'm sure its the springs on the arms at fault and the Mini Spares heavy duty ones look like the right thing, but I really don't want Chrome wipers, and for some bizarre reason you can't currently get the normal black arms, even though I think they were fitted to every single Mini for at least 12 years!

Buy chrome and a can of aerosol matt black paint. A bit of prep & a coat of black, and there you go.

[robminibcy]

Try Bosch blades. Been using them on mine for 6 months and work perfectly. As good as any modern car

[Ethel]

It's very likely arm spring tension if they miss sections, especially in a "rainbow" pattern; worn wheel box spindles won't help either. If you don't want chrome try Land Rover Defender arms, they just need the dog leg end straightening out a little bit.

[roblightbody]

It's very likely arm spring tension if they miss sections, especially in a "rainbow" pattern; worn wheel box spindles won't help either. If you don't want chrome try Land Rover Defender arms, they just need the dog leg end straightening out a little bit.

Thanks!
I've often looked at Defender wipers and wondered if they're the same or not... I've looked on ebay, and they look just the thing. I'm going to order some and see how I get on. I'm sure its just the spring, its understandable for it not to be as strong after 20 years! Wheel boxes recently replaced, so I'm sure its not that.

[jimnali]

I bought the "standard" blades from Minispares that are made by Tex . They would not lie flat against the screen. I did manage to improve this by some careful tweaking but the blades never cleared the screen properly and after a few months use they failed completely. They are RUBBISH! I replaced them with a Bosch pair from Halfords - now work perfectly.

[roblightbody]

OK so my new Defender wiper arms arrived and its very interesting! They're substantially more solidly made than the Rover Mini originals. Due to the sharper angle of the tip, the blades will rest too high up the screen, but I think I'm going to fit them anyway and see what happens. I'm not sure this angle can be easily modified, not by me anyway.


They're from "BritPart". I've emailed them to suggest they tweak the Defender wiper arm design, and sell a Mini version to the many Classic Mini owners who, like me, have 1990s Minis that they're trying to keep going as daily drivers.

[minisilverbullet]

I have a set of heavy duty chrome arms and blades and they are excellent*!