wiper refills

[scrappydoo]

Guys, i wondering what size the wiper refills are. I bought the standard size and they were hell trying to get them to fit the OEM arm. Are the refills the "thin" ones? im not new to replacing refills so i gonna rule out operator error.
The only reason im not replacing the whole arm with for example Bosch is i want to keep the wind deflector.

[motordavid]

Bosch numbers for "Icon" style:
424A Driver Side
422A Passenger Side
418B Rear

Other Bosch and other brands:
24" Driver
22" Pass...though some of us go with a 21" on pass side for better
conforming to the curve of the 'shield.
18" rear

When you say "refill" are you talking about the cheapazz rubbers
only or, the wiper frame with rubber attached?

I've reused my driver side deflector for 7 years...
Also, Search Tab, upper right, third tab from right, is your Friend.
GL,mD

[scrappydoo]

Refills are the rubber only. That is what i am looking for. I checked with my "friend" in the upper left. unless your friend is better than mine, perhaps you can find the thread about

"i wondering what size the wiper refills are. I bought the standard size and they were hell trying to get them to fit the OEM arm. Are the refills the "thin" ones? "

And thanks for the Bosch info but if you read my thread

The only reason im not replacing the whole arm with for example Bosch is i want to keep the wind deflector.

I am curious how youve kept your deflector for seven years. This is information that could be useful

[dkl]

MD, I'm curious too...can you actually reuse the wind deflector on the Bosch Icon?

[Weasel]

The wiper refills should be cheap from the dealer... I install them all the time.

[daway]

Originally Posted by dkl

MD, I'm curious too...can you actually reuse the wind deflector on the Bosch Icon?

I was wondering that too? I saw the Icon's at checkers but did not know if it will snap on the blade?Also, I went to a auto shop and needed a back wiper but it seems like i only can get it at the dealer? The one that is on seems to have to snap down not like the front were you can snap it lock side ways. They are cheap at the bimmer dealer w/ my cca card...just wondering..ALso is the deflector only on the drivers side wiper arm?

[motordavid]

To the OP:
I wasn't suggesting you pull study hall; some early posters simply take
a Pasadena on the Search.

I don't use Icons and my apology if my post inferred it. I do use Bosch,
though I couldn't tell you the style...I drag in a wiper with me when I
hit the auto joint to buy replacements, which is not frequently, as the car
no longer sees winter or heavy rain duty or, even day to day driving.

I have managed to "move" the air deflector from the driver side twice:
both times I simply undid the set screw and noogied off the three plastic
gripper nubs. I suspect they are getting worn out and a 3rd time may not
work or, the deflector may not go on as tightly as orig. I use a Bosch
wiper and frame and the plastic grippers line up on the replacement.
Yes, only my driver side came oem with the deflector, 7+ years ago...

I will probably do a refill next year; as for refills the trick is, imo, to flip
the wiper blade "over" to work on it or, take it off the snap fitting from
the arm. Sometimes it takes a pliers to give it a tug or careful, slight
spreading of the end metal blade grippers. And, sometimes with refills I
give the end grippers a slight squish to cozy up to the refill blade.

I have also found that some styles of Bosch have an "covered blade end", eg
the upper metal frame hangs over the end of the refill & new frame: a
scratched windshield waiting to happen, imo, as the blade end wears and/or
during heavy, long duration high speed wiper usage.

My apology for this term paper, The delfector re-use is doable, esp.
if I can do it.
BR,Ol'UncMotor

[ECS Tuning]

We have a few wiper replacement options available including OEM replacements and refills, the Bosch OE Wipers and the Bosch Icons. Our selection of wiper blades and refills for the X5 can be found here:

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...aign=postreply

[Weasel]

BMW now uses that style of wipers on just about all new models, and they do work great.

[daway]

FYI:

I found out why i could not get a rear frame w/ blade at the local auto shops. I went to the local bimmer dealer (great place in MPLS, Sears import!) and they had the rear frame w/ blade unit for me. Then i asked him about how my rear wiper blade unit connects by pushing on it or taking it off by pulling up on it. The parts tech then said that i had the old style arm (plastic) which broke a lot during car washes in the winter time (cold plastic and hot water, cracks/brakes). He just sold me a univ. blade and i just slide it on and cut the left overs in mins. Great price w/ the cca card, ~$2.75 (w/o card it was ~$4.75). BMW does not make the frame w/ blade for the plastic arm anymore, so one either has to just buy the metal arm (upgrade) or keep buying the rubber blade and use the old frame.
At least i know if the wiper arm cracks i will need to buy the metal newer arm. I will just wait...to many other "fun parts" i want 1st.