Aero-Wipers working like new again for $4.00

[No457 Snowy]

Just updated with new photo's, K-Mart has also upped the price to $4.50. I've noticed a lot of people (like myself) have a hard time getting their Aero-Wipers working like new again without having their wallet raped by a VW dealer, here's my solution which I hope may help others. (My appology to anyone who already knows all this).

Step1: Go to KMart and get a set of these rubbers for $4.50.



Step2: You only need to remove one endcap (jiggle each end of the wiper blade rubber back and forth and the end that doesn't move is the one you want to remove to get at the little tab/clamp holding the rubber) Remove the end cap by gently levering it off with a small screwdriver (If your end caps aren't coming of easily, don't force them, just dip the cap into some hot water for a minute and this will soften the plastic and make it flex off easily without breaking):



Separated end cap:



Step3: Here is a shot showing the little tab/clamp after the end-cap is removed, using a small screw-driver lever up the little tab/clamp releasing the rubber blade so it can be slid out:




(can't post more than 4 pics so continued next thread)

Cheers,

Snowy.

[No457 Snowy]

Step4: Slide out the old blade and slide in the new one:



Step5: Once it's all the way in, cut the new rubber to length:



Step6: Once the new blade is in and cut to length, gently squeeze the little tab/clamp back down to hold the new blade (Doesn't need to be very tight):



Step7: Replace the end cap and you're done.

After this they will be wiping like new again and you can give your local stealer the big.....


Cheers,

Snowy

[DaveMack]

Good man, Snowy. Two thumbs up.

Dave

[william]

i had to do similar but i had to cut 10cm off the aero blade to make it sit snug against the winscreen seal on my ibiza gti then put the end cap on good work in replacement of the blade i didnt even know they could be changed

[No457 Snowy]

Yeah, the VW dealers prefer to just sell you the entire wiper assembly. I got quoted around $40 per side, and that's how they will try to sell you new Aero-wipers.

It took some trial and error of different brands to find a rubber insert that would fit properly but these ones are spot on. It also took me a while before I learnt that the Aero-wipers could be disassembled and basically "fixed" without just replacing them.

Snowy.

[Jmac]

Well done snowy nice work, you will save a lot of people on here a lot of money. Aeros are a rip off like you say mate. Best i can get is $35 a side. Shocking for wipers. Service kit is cheaper including oil.!!
CHeers

[No457 Snowy]

Glad to offer something back to the forum mate, I've also learnt a fair bit from others hangin' out in here. Maybe it could be added to the DIY section?

Snowy

[99gti]

Added to the Mk4 FaQ.

Thanks again Snowy!

[goodfella]

I followed this thread to the letter and it worked a charm.... thanks and top post!

[h100vw]

Well done snowy nice work, you will save a lot of people on here a lot of money. Aeros are a rip off like you say mate. Best i can get is $35 a side. Shocking for wipers. Service kit is cheaper including oil.!!
CHeers

Maybe do them on exchange then Jimmy, for $20.

[dubbed]

By 'aero' wipers, are people referring to the whole arm or just the blade? My MKIV has the normal [thin] wiper arms and I need to replace the blades... Just wondering if the ones in the original post fit?

I've seen thicker, solid wiper arms and am assuming they are aero and mine are normal. The thicker ones look much sexier and modern.

[geoff_gti]

Glad this thread has been revivied! I was gonna do a search. Just got quoted $85 for a new set of wipers. Er, no thanks...I'll try DIY first.

Aero wipers are the thick rubberised single-piece unit, not your more conventional metal frame design with the wiper blade inserted along the clips on the bottom edge. The rear wiper on a stock Mk IV is this conventional design though.

[Treza360]

Glad this thread has been revivied! I was gonna do a search. Just got quoted $85 for a new set of wipers. Er, no thanks...I'll try DIY first.

Aero wipers are the thick rubberised single-piece unit, not your more conventional metal frame design with the wiper blade inserted along the clips on the bottom edge. The rear wiper on a stock Mk IV is this conventional design though.

To add to this.
Front aero wipers have the conventional arm coming from the motor itself, however the actual wiper blade and it's associated assembly is different (the aero bit).
The rear aero wiper have a normal type blade on it however the arm itself is encassed to make it "aero".
Dunno if that makes any sense. I will take some pictures and post up later.

[No457 Snowy]

I followed this thread to the letter and it worked a charm.... thanks and top post!

Wow, my old thread back from the dead. Hey that's great mate, good to hear. Mine are still working great from when I did them last year, I had a few people telling me at the time that $4 blades wouldn't cut it, but as it turns out with the recent rain, they're still working like new.

Cheers,

Snowy.

[dubbed]

To add to this.
Front aero wipers have the conventional arm coming from the motor itself, however the actual wiper blade and it's associated assembly is different (the aero bit).
The rear aero wiper have a normal type blade on it however the arm itself is encassed to make it "aero".
Dunno if that makes any sense. I will take some pictures and post up later.

Thanks guys. Some pics would definitely help.