Troubleshooting Noisy Wipers

Solutions for addressing shuddering, squeaky or noisy windscreen wipers:

Ever use your wipers and, well... they really didn't do much at all to clean your screen. Even worse, they're juddering, squealing and making a big racket. Beyond the annoyance factor, out-of-whack wipers are a safety issue because of their vital contribution to vision in poor conditions. So how do get them back to their best and keep them that way?

Clean your screen

The first ingredient in a smooth windscreen-wiper action is a clean wiping surface.

Whether it's dirt, bird droppings, pollen or wax residue, built-up gunk is going to make it harder for the wiper's rubber blade to glide smoothly across the screen. The solution – whether you're trying to solve a shudder issue or simply taking a preventative approach – is to give your windscreen a good clean. You don't need anything special, just glass cleaner, a cloth and some elbow grease.

Check/replace your blades

How old are your wiper blades? Being rubber, they naturally deteriorate from an initially supple to a harder, more brittle state, hindering their ability to smoothly sweep the screen. Cracks, nicks and other damage can also stop them from performing as they should.

To check the wiper’s condition, simply fold the wiper arms up and examine the blades closely. If they're stiff or damaged – or you can't remember when you last stumped for a new set – you're probably ready for replacements. As for the blades themselves, the easiest path back to a smooth sweeping action is a new set of factory equivalents but some brands sell on providing a quieter, more butter-smooth wiping action than regular blades. If you’re unsure, always seek help from a professional who can recommend the best option for your specific vehicle and driving conditions.

Keep your blades nice

Regardless of which blades you use, there are steps you can take to maximise their performance and longevity, from keeping them clean – just pull a damp cloth down over the blade until it stops leaving black stripes – to using silicone spray a few times a year to keep the rubber supple.

Never operate your wipers on a dry or dirty screen without the washer function either, as it will damage the blades or hasten their inevitable decline. The same goes for an icy screen – let the ice melt and break up first. To reduce the stress on your blades when you do engage the wash/wipe function on a dry, dirty screen, use an automotive windscreen washer detergent rather than plain water.

Adjust your wipers

If your screen and blades are clean but your shuddering/noise issue persists, your wipers are probably out of adjustment. If you're handy and are up for a bit of trial and error, you can try adjusting them yourself. You'll need a helper so you can closely observe what the blades are doing as they wipe the screen. You'll also need to keep the screen wet to prevent damaging the blades.

Ideally, wiper blades should sit at a 90-degree angle to the windscreen and 'trail' the arm ever so slightly as they sweep – blades that push forward of the arm or trail too much are a common cause of shudder – so you'll need to determine how 'out' they are. Actual adjustment is a matter of gently twisting the blade in the arm in the desired direction and in very small increments, then checking the wiping action as you go, until you achieve your desired result. You'll need patience and a light touch, though, as rough handling could damage your wiper arms or even your wiper motor. If you want extra peace of mind, leave the task to a Mount Gravatt Mazda Mechanic.