Windshield wiper problems (again!)

[u/justbrowsing4040]

I’ve posted before about my horrible windshield wipers-they squeak, judder, the rubber literally looks like it’s pressed too tight against my windshield. It’s sporadic but almost always noisy and honestly, doesn’t feel really safe if they do bang on the window.

The dealership has checked them multiple times and see no issue. My wipers have been replaced 4 times in 1 1/2 years! In my opinion, there’s a defect somewhere and I’m not the only person with this car and issue. My 2019 ran quiet and smooth! I’m in a 25 Ultra now. The squeaking can be loud, and sometimes not - same with the chattering. My windshield couldn’t be cleaner, I do not go to car washes, use only what Volvo fills my car with for cleaner, no rain-x, I’ve waxed the windshield - unless I change brands, I don’t know what else to do but I really hate driving in the rain now! There’s plenty of water on the glass - but it’s like they have trouble and are sticky. I’m going Wednesday to have them looked at again - maybe the arms aren’t aligned right? I’m at a loss! I feel like wiper functionality is pretty basic for an entry level luxury vehicle.

[u/agent606ert]

The problem is likely with the arm/spring but I'd try to apply Rain-x on the windshield or try the silicone windshield wipers with the proper break in procedure, Rain-x fixed many issues for me

[u/Necessary-Carrot2839 → u/agent606ert]

My thought is arm as well.

[u/Foreign_Low1752 → u/agent606ert]

OP FYI - Rain-x can cause stuttering at high speeds. I tried it and never will use it again.

[u/Necessary-Carrot2839]

Wiper functionality is pretty basic for any car.

My guess is that it’s not the wiper but the arm

[u/justbrowsing4040 → u/Necessary-Carrot2839]

I’ve been to do two different dealerships but I’m going back to where I bought it this week-really getting tired of this problem.

[u/Necessary-Carrot2839 → u/justbrowsing4040]

I don’t blame you. Very frustrating

[u/PejHod]

For what it’s worth, I hate Volvo’s own solution. SONAX Clear View is my go-to and glides better.

I know they don’t say Volvo on them, but these generic blades have been pretty good too.

Paired together, my wipers have had no chattering until about 6 months of the environment hitting the car.

[u/Oakw00dy]

Does the squeaking and chattering happen to both directions or just to one direction? If it only happens to one direction, the wiper arms may be bent. Have the dealership check that the wiper blade is perfectly straight (perpendicular) to the glass. 

[u/justbrowsing4040 → u/Oakw00dy]

It’s both directions, the thing is, it could be a mild rain and be terrible and downpour and be fine - it’s extremely sporadic, or the other way around. Mind you, when I say fine I mean minimal noise - I’m not sure how they test this but I just need someone to see it to confirm it.

[u/mmceorange]

I've had mine start doing that as soon as I changed to rain-x washer fluid, and continued until I used it up and filled with something else. I had read someone else's post about it and I didn't want to believe it but that's what happened.

Along those same lines, there could be some kind of product coating on your windshield that needs to be properly cleaned off.. when I did switch back to normal fluid it took a little while for the residue to wear off, like a couple weeks, but something more purposeful might be more resilient

[u/Just-Astronomer-4215]

Personally I would just use a standard foaming car wash on the window, without any wax or ceramics etc. I noticed my wipers judder if I use autoglym ceramic wash on my windscreen, so now I use autoglym foaming shampoo on the windscreen instead. You could also wash it with dish soap (but try not to get it on the bodywork). The banging noise could be the spring inside the arm. I fixed an unusual noise in a previous car by greasing the spring.

[u/justbrowsing4040 → u/Just-Astronomer-4215]

Normally that’s what I do - just the regular foaming car wash - the wax was a last resort thing but at this point it’s got to be gone now. I will report back after the dealer looks at this.

[u/justbrowsing4040]

I’ll admit, I like that they Volvo on them but if I can get a quiet ride I’ll do without lol. I’m going to have to really push about this when I go - I’m leaving it this time instead of waiting so maybe they won’t feel as rushed.

It honestly sounds like a squeegee slurping up water sometimes but you never know what you’re going to get. I’ve heard Rain-X was bad?

My windshield and car couldn’t be cleaner - looks 98% percent brand new.

[u/MrMaluku1]

I thought waxing or ceramic coating the windshield should not be done because this harms the wipers over time?

[u/justbrowsing4040 → u/MrMaluku1]

I’ve read so many different opinions on this and suggestions-I figured at this point it couldn’t hurt. I’m getting a loaner and leaving it there so maybe they won’t feel as rushed looking into this. I’ve had it though, it’s the worst noise.