Wipers are a common source of noise in any car. Whether it’s from the rubber blades rubbing together, or sandpaper-like fabric they can be annoying at the best of times. If you live in an area where it regularly rains, wiper blades can also end up being wetter than usual, which makes them even worse! Keep reading to learn how to stop windshield wipers from squeaking.
How To Stop Windshield Wipers From Squeaking?
Check Your Wipers Frequently
The rubber on your windshield wipers will become stiff and dry over time. This can cause the rubber bushings in your wiper arms to crack and deteriorate. If you notice this happening to your wipers, you can try washing the blades with soapy water and using rubbing alcohol to help remove the buildup. If your wipers still squeak, try cleaning them with a soft bristle cleaning brush. If that doesn’t work, you might need to replace your wiper arms. After you replace the wiper arms, you can try cleaning the blades again. If cleaning your wipers doesn’t work, you might have a squeaking wiper arm. If this is the case, you can try replacing your rubber bushings.
Clean the Blades Regularly
One of the best ways to stop your windshield wipers from squeaking is to clean them regularly. If the blades have a layer of dust and debris on them, it could create a lot of friction. This dust and debris could also prevent water from getting onto the blades properly. Over time, this buildup could lead to the wiper arms breaking down. If your wipers are squeaking, try cleaning them with a soft brush to remove any debris and dust. If that doesn’t work, you might want to consider washing them with soapy water and then using rubbing alcohol to help remove any remaining debris and grime. If cleaning them doesn’t work, you might have to replace your blades. If this is the case, you can try using a higher-quality blade to see if this solves the squeaking problem.
Change the Rubber Bushings Often
Check your rubber bushings often. If there are cracks or tears in the rubber, this could lead to the blades rubbing against the windshield. This friction can cause the rubber to wear down and break down. If you notice this happening to your wipers, you might have to replace your rubber bushings. If your rubber bushings are broken, you can try replacing them with a better-grade rubber. If this doesn’t work, you might have to replace your wiper arms. After you replace the rubber bushings, you can try cleaning the blades to see if this solves the squeaking problem. If cleaning them doesn’t work, you might have to replace your blades.
Add Some lubrication
One of the best ways to stop your windshield wipers from squeaking is to add some lubrication to the rubber bushings in your wiper arms. Once you have cleaned the blades, you can try adding some lubrication to the rubber bushings to create less friction. If you have some WD-40 or other car lubricant around the house, you can try adding a small amount to the rubber bushings to create less friction. If this doesn’t work, you might have to replace your wiper arms. After you replace the rubber bushings, you can try cleaning the blades to see if this solves the squeaking problem.
Change The Rain Sensor
The second best way to solve a squeaky windshield is to change the rain sensor. Often, this sensor will become clogged with debris. If you have the time and the patience to take out your dash, you could try taking out the rain sensor to clean it out. If changing the sensor doesn’t work, you might have to replace your wiper arms. If your wiper arms are broken, you can try replacing them with new ones.
Add a New Rain Sensor
If none of the solutions listed above work, you might have to change out your rain sensor. Often, these sensors will become clogged when they are dirty. If changing out your sensor doesn’t work, you might have to replace your wiper arms. If your wiper arms are broken, you can try replacing them with new ones. If all else fails, you might have to change out your wiper arms. If this is the case, you can try replacing the rubber bushings with better-grade rubber.
What Causes Wiper Blades To Squeak?
There are several causes of squeaking or rattling noises from wiper blades. The most common is a worn or corroded washer that may be missing or has become loose. A loose or deteriorated washer can allow water to leak into the cavity where the washer is housed, which can cause rust and corrosion to develop and accumulate in this area over time. If this occurs, the rust may come out of the washer and onto the blade, causing it to squeak.
Why Do Windshield Wipers From Squeaking?
Your Wiper Blades Are Old
Even though you’ve been using your windshield wipers for years without any problems, it’s quite possible that your blades are too old. This is because the rubber on your blades will eventually dry out and become brittle and weak over time. If you notice that the rubber on your wipers is cracking, then you know that they’re getting too old and should be replaced. But what if you don’t notice that your rubber is crumbling until it’s too late? Many people don’t realize that the rubber on their wipers is getting weak until they notice that it’s cracking. This can be a very dangerous situation, as the rubber on your wiper blades can snap while they’re in use, causing serious injury to the person behind the steering wheel!
Your Wipers Have Dry Rot
When you use windshield wipers, you may come across dry rot. This can be caused by two possible situations. The first situation is if your rubber is cracked and has begun to dry out. This is a dangerous situation because it can cause the rubber on your wipers to crumble, causing the wipers to fall apart. You should look for cracks or crumbling rubber on your wiper blades as a sign that they’re too old and need to be replaced. The second possible situation that can cause your wiper blades to become dry rot is an overly damp climate. In many areas of the country, it’s common for the weather to become excessively damp in the spring and fall. This is especially common in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. If this is the case in your area, you should make sure to check your wiper blades to make sure that they’re not dry rotted.
The Wiper Blade Tensioner May be Broken
Every time you use your windshield wipers, the blade attaches to your windshield with a tensioner. This can be a broken or faulty tensioner that is causing the wiper to squeak. If you’ve tried everything else to fix the squeaky wiper noise, then you may want to check out your tensioner. The tensioner on your wiper assembly can be responsible for squeaking or making a loud noise when in use. Unfortunately, the best way to tell if your tensioner is broken is to replace the rubber on your blades. There’s no way to tell if your wiper is squeaking if the rubber on the blade is still soft and flexible. This rubber can be damaged easily, causing the wiper to squeak.
Avoiding Windshield Wipers From Squeaking In The First Place
- Many people make the mistake of cleaning their windshield wipers with a cleaning solution that is too strong or abrasive.
- This can damage the rubber and cause it to squeak. Instead, use a mild soap and water solution and avoid cleaning your windshield wipers with a solution that is too aggressive.
- A final thing to keep in mind is that it is a good idea to replace your wiper blades every year or two. By doing this, you will avoid damaging the rubber and help avoid any squeaking that may occur.
- This is especially important if you live in an area where it rains often, such as on the coast or near a large body of water.
Summary
If your windshield wipers are making a noise it could be because the rubber is damaged or because they are wet. Rubber gloves are a cheap and easy way to silence wiper blades, and rubber wiper blades should be replaced every year or two. If your wipers are making a loud noise due to being damaged, you should have your blades replaced immediately. However, if your blades are simply making noise because they are wet, you can solve the problem by wearing rubber gloves.
