70 Wiper Chatter

[Pat M.]

Hi everyone. The wipers on my 70 chatter and skip only when the windshield is wet. I tried to bend the arms to adjust the angle of the blades but have found little improvement. Inserts are new. I'm concerned this will be a problem for PV, and I'd appreciate any advice. Patrick Moresi #45581

[Stephen L.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Try wiping a small amount of Armor-All or similiar product on the blades. Works for me.....

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

That will be a problem for a performance verification.
You have cleaned both the windshield and wiper blades thoroughly, right? Last cleaning should be with alcohol -- isopropyl is good enough -- no need to waste the good drinking kind

[Thad L.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Patrick, try that stuff in the yellow bottle------Rain-X

Thad

[Pat M.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Thanks guys. Terry - yes, the windshield and inserts are clean. Thad - I tried a product similar to Rain-X, and I even tried waxing the windshield for Ops check at my last Regional. It helped, and I lost no points, I'm just concerned whether any chatter will withstand the increased scrutiny of PV.

It also seems that there must be a way to get the wipers to operate smoothly without an external "fix." I mean, didn't they operate smoothly originally? If so, there must be a way to reproduce it. If not, why is it held to that standard?

Anyway, I appreciate your help and will try your suggestions.

Regards, Patrick Moresi #45581

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Patrick,
They didn't chatter (at least not mine) when new, and last time I used them they didn't chatter either.
The linkage pivot points are well lubricated? Lubriplate or white grease.

[Pat M.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Terry - the little ball-and-socket joints are well lubricated, if that's what you mean by the linkage pivot points. Everything appears to be in good working order. And the wipers work perfectly when the windshield is dry. It's really frustrating. It sure seems there should be a permanent, mechanical solution, but it's proving elusive.

Thanks for your input. Patrick Moresi #45581

[Tommy F.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Patrick,

I haven't had this problem on any of the Vettes, but I have seen weakened springs on the wiper arms of a couple of early 70s Chevelles do the same thing.

[Pat M.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Hi Tommy. I see from your profile you rescued a 'Vette from Hurricane Katrina's wrath in '05. Good for you. I'm from southwest Louisiana, and thankfully, both my '70 and '96 survived unscathed after I moved them north before Hurricane Rita hit my area one month after Katrina.

Your comment is thought provoking. I am using original arms and blade holders, and I too wondered if weak springs (on the arms and/or holders) could affect the angle of attack of the wipers. If all else fails, I may replace one or both to see.

Thank you so much for your input. Patrick Moresi #45581

[Jim T.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

My 68 and 70's wipers don't chatter on a wet windshield.

[John Steinbauer]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

I also have a 70 but with a little different wiper problem. When I operate on low speed the wipers lightly hit each other on the downswing but on high they really tangle. The arms do not appear to be bent. It seems to be an issue of timing..is there an adjustment to the timing or something else?
Thanks

[Pat M.]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Hi John. Yes, under the wiper grill the arm linkages can be adjusted with several nuts to achieve the proper timing.

Do your wipers chatter or skip at all? When mine did it would also cause my wipers to hit one another, but that has stopped now that the chatter is gone. The wipers cross pretty closely normally, and the skipping affected the timing just enough to cause them to hit.

Good luck, Patrick Moresi #45581

[John Steinbauer]

Re: 70 Wiper Chatter

Patrick,
Thanks for the info..I'll try it..they don't seem to skip or chatter but do come real close and touch a little without hanging up on low speed. The real problem is on high speed...but to be honest in the eight years I've owned the car I have only used them a couple of times except to do an ocassional test.
John
NCRS# 32851
70 L46 4spd w/AC