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Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions
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rdwood
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 5:54 pm    Post subject: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

I need help finishing my '74 Super Beetle. I can't find any wiper blades that have the right mounting clip that properly fits the hook ends on my wiper arms. I think Bosch used to have the clip in their Micro-edge line of wipers, but I bought a pair of 15" wipers and they don't fit. I got them to clip but the side to side spacing is too wide in the clip and the wiper blade wiggles all over the windshield when moved.

I tried Napa today and both 11" length brands that they carry that say they should fit, don't fit either.

What brand have you guys recently bought that works? There must be something out there.

Thanks.
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60ragtop
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 6:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

they usually come with seperate adapters that fit the wiper arms
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rdwood
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 6:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

That use to be the case but the adapters with the blades now seem to be for the newer wider width arms, which are just too wide.
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Q-Dog
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 7:03 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

I bought some a couple months ago at my FLAPS. Wolfsburg West has them in stock if your local place does not.
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Tim Donahoe
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2016 7:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

You have to pinch your wiper-arm ends a little.

Tim
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 7:33 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

You could also just buy the rubber inserts, and fit them into your existing blades, like we all did in the old days. Ask at the counter if the store carries inserts separately, or just scavenge them from a set of brand new blades.

My 1971 Convertible uses shorter wipers, I just match up the insert length, using one of these special tools:
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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ROCKOROD71
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 7:51 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

Most recent wiper blade purchase were Duralast brand from Autozone. Came with multiple adaptors, fit just fine. If they don't have the 11' see if they can order them. Many, many, many cars still on the road use the hook-style wiper arms our VWs use.
Aside from that you can try Bug City in CT, Richie's Garage in NJ, and there is a "wiper guy" that advertises here on the Samba, all with many many NOS wipers and arms in stock.
You got this.
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EttaPartsPlace
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:48 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

At my job, we sell Bosch 11 inch. So far dozens of happy customers. I didn't see that brand with THAT inch listed yet.
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rdwood
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:49 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

Thanks much for the feedback on the Duralast brand. Autozone doesn't list this as compatible if you do a vehicle check but the Bosch Micro-edge they do list, doesn't fit. I figured there were other brands out there that would work but they have dropped the link to the older VWs for fit and I didn't want to do the trial and error method anymore.

Thanks for the suggestion on buying just the inserts. I would do that if I had some old blades that fit but unfortunately I didn't have any and most folks don't save them for swap meets either. I've been looking.

I wrote the wiper guy once and never got a reply so I didn't pursue that avenue anymore.

I think my local Autozone has the 11" blades as I was just in there last night. I'll let you know how it goes.
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rdwood
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:53 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

Forgot to mention that Autozone listed a Bosch 15" blade as the replacement and the clip in that package didn't fit. Maybe the 11" package has the proper adapter. I'll check that out too.

Thanks.
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ROCKOROD71
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

The AZs up here have the old school phone book style sizing books. Those list old VWs still....
Maybe they only dropped them from the online listings...though I don't get why, unless they stopped selling them with those adaptors. Man, I have thrown dozens of those away over the years...If I'd only know the adaptors would become unobtanium.....
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1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI
79SuperVert wrote:

30 years from now, the next guy may not want your girlfriend, but he may want your classic car, depending on how nice you were to it.


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enjoyther1de
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 1:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

rdwood wrote:
Forgot to mention that Autozone listed a Bosch 15" blade as the replacement and the clip in that package didn't fit. Maybe the 11" package has the proper adapter. I'll check that out too.

Thanks.


I just put a set on my 70. Needed to pinch the arm end closed to get it snug. Other than that they work perfectly.
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rdwood
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 9:43 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

I bought the Duralast 13" conventional blades. They included a clip for the Shepard hook design and was real close to fitting, but the channel for the hook was a little too narrow. I used an Xacto knife to remove a sliver of material for each side of the plastic channel and then my wiper arm clicked into place nice and tight.

Since I made the Duralast wipers work I didn't bother with re-trying the Bosch Micro-edge in the 11" size.
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 11:35 am    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

Hi Everyone,

I too could not find a wiper blade for my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle. I needed one asap and after reading the comments I decided to try Walmart and I found that a rear window wiper balde of a newer car works. Even the clip latches on. It is, however 10' but it definitely gets the job done. Check it out.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
[/img]
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 05, 2022 2:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

Quote:
carries inserts separately


Getting a single 23" wiper and getting two out of it with the special tool
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

vwbarrios wrote:
Hi Everyone,

I too could not find a wiper blade for my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle. I needed one asap and after reading the comments I decided to try Walmart and I found that a rear window wiper balde of a newer car works. Even the clip latches on. It is, however 10' but it definitely gets the job done. Check it out.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
[/img]


i bought (two month ago) just the rubber inserts at O'reileys and did install them in my old wiper blade frames.
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baldessariclan
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

Keep your eyes peeled in the Samba classifieds, eBay, etc. for a set of original metal wiper blade holders w/ the plastic inserts intact (e.g. "SWF" brand or similar). These should fit on your wiper arms perfectly.

Then get a set of new Bosch 11" wiper blade assemblies, and transfer the rubber wiper (and stainless insert strips) from the new Bosch holder to your old original German holders.


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.



Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 4:17 pm    Post subject: Re: Wiper Blades that fit - need suggestions Reply with quote

I could be wrong....it looks like that wiper arm in the photo is for the passenger side. The angle of the arm 'bend' and where the wiper blade hits the windshield seal. The arms I'm using were marked L and R
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