HOrnbrod Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 My wiper arms were shot, so instead of replacing them with the old pin style I got a pair of the newer 1997 and up XJ arms. They use the newer design J-hook system to fasten the wiper blade. It's a much more solid connection that holds the blade firmly with no shuttering like in the old wobbly pin style. Since the windshields and wiper motors are the same throughout the XJ/MJ years everything fit perfectly. And because of the difference in shape between the old and new arms, an added bonus for me is that my cowl hood now opens about 3" higher w/o contact on the wiper arm tower as before. Good update when you replace the wiper arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaquaro Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 :yes: I'm going for it , good mod. tip :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenobian_84 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Nice, clean install Don. :thumbsup: My only question is, do you have to get the entire 97+ assembly (motor, linkage, arms) to install the arms? Or can you just slap those bad boys onto the old points protruding from the cowl? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Chief Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Nice, clean install Don. :thumbsup: My only question is, do you have to get the entire 97+ assembly (motor, linkage, arms) to install the arms? Or can you just slap those bad boys onto the old points protruding from the cowl? x2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Nice, clean install Don. :thumbsup: My only question is, do you have to get the entire 97+ assembly (motor, linkage, arms) to install the arms? Or can you just slap those bad boys onto the old points protruding from the cowl? Only need the arms! The only difference between the old and new wiper assembly is the electrical plug on the motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenobian_84 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Nice, clean install Don. :thumbsup: My only question is, do you have to get the entire 97+ assembly (motor, linkage, arms) to install the arms? Or can you just slap those bad boys onto the old points protruding from the cowl? Only need the arms! The only difference between the old and new wiper assembly is the electrical plug on the motor. :cheers: Awesome. Will definitely be doing this upgrade next time I go out to the P&P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Only need the arms! The only difference between the old and new wiper assembly is the electrical plug on the motor. As Alexia stated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 I have to admit that ever since I installed the 97+ wiper arms and new J-hook blades, I've been getting a lot of wiper chatter, especially when it's raining lightly. I've tried several different sets of new blades, re-bushed the wiper motor arm linkage, using a clay bar to thoroughly clean the windshield - twice, and even Rainex. Nothing stopped the chatter for more than a few minutes. Until............... I tried a set of the new bracketless blades. They are all composite w/o the metal frame, fit the 97+ J-hook arms, and work great! It's been raining down here almost steadily for the past week, and I've been using the wipers a lot lately. Zero chattering in all kinds of weather with no missed spots or streaking. I know this sounds like a commercial, but these blades really do work as advertised. And they only cost about $10/set on Ebay which is considerably cheaper than a set of the metal frame blades. I don't know how long they will last yet, but they will be very affordable to replace. Give them a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minuit Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 I might need to look into this. My wipers chatter a LOT until the windshield is good and wet. My current blades are roughly 2 year old Tricos that look a lot like the ones you posted, although my (original) arms might just be worn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikekaz1 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I swear by Bosch icon blades. Same design as the ones you swapped too. Great in all weather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I've mostly run the Goodyear blades from Costco for the past few years, they are the beam style. Then working at carquest I ran the base Trico blades. I work for ford now, at the list price for the "premium flat beam blades" is only 13$/ea. I have thought about trying them out, but I get a better deal with my CQ discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 Don, Ebay link for the blades? I really need new blades! Don't think I have done it in 8 years. Putting the TDI in the paint shop Saturday, so I will be using the Comanche as my daily driver for 3 or 4 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 I got them HERE John, but I don't know if they will work with the "pin" type original wiper arms. They work fine with the J-hook 97+ arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I might need to look into this. My wipers chatter a LOT until the windshield is good and wet. My current blades are roughly 2 year old Tricos that look a lot like the ones you posted, although my (original) arms might just be worn out. I think you are supposed to change blades every 6mo (per mfgr suggestion for more $$$) or AT LEAST every year..... I had 2nd gen wiper arms that chattered, I fixed them by putting on new blades and tweaking/twisting the arm in the direction of the sweep to eliminate the chatter. And Don, I tried those blades, they worked great until it snowed, mind you, I don't use my wipers as snow brushes (they have a thing with a handle for that) but when I tried to get ice off of them they snapped. I still use them, but only in summer months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjy_26 Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Trico makes beams for the old style arms. I got mine at Oreiley's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex06 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I've got the old style arms still and use silicone inserts (about $6 shipped from china) in my metal brackets. They don't oxidize like rubber and last me about a year or so before I get any chatter. Side note: Does the motor control where the arms stop? Ever since I bought my MJ (with rubber and silicone blades), the arms stop at about 20 deg above horizontal, unless it's raining hard, then they slap the cowl. They're not clocked wrong, the sweep is perfect on the up stroke and doesn't change wet or dry. Only the bottom of the sweep changes depending on the amount of water on the windshield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 22, 2016 Author Share Posted April 22, 2016 Most likely your wiper linkage bushings are shot. Replacement Procedure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted October 22, 2016 Share Posted October 22, 2016 Motorcraft has their Premium Flat beam style blades that are 'universal' they list for 13.98 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manche757 Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 "bama's (aka HOornbrod) original post is 6 years old now. Is the 97 XJ still the go to? Newer? Can be found new? Will they work on both an '87 and an "89 MJ? I assume the blades from the 97 are the size to buy? Great solution to worn pins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manche757 Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 HOrnbrod, that 2012 picture shows some flawless body and paint job. Do that yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 2, 2018 Author Share Posted August 2, 2018 On 7/31/2018 at 6:45 AM, Manche757 said: "bama's (aka HOornbrod) original post is 6 years old now. Is the 97 XJ still the go to? Newer? Can be found new? Will they work on both an '87 and an "89 MJ? I assume the blades from the 97 are the size to buy? Great solution to worn pins! Yes to all the above. Still using the same setup - working great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucklehead97 Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 New 97+ arms are available on Rock Auto for about 40$ shipped for both. Ordered them and some Napa beam blades as soon as my MJ was back on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KANTANKRUS Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 On 11/5/2015 at 2:59 PM, HOrnbrod said: I have to admit that ever since I installed the 97+ wiper arms and new J-hook blades, I've been getting a lot of wiper chatter, especially when it's raining lightly. I've tried several different sets of new blades, re-bushed the wiper motor arm linkage, using a clay bar to thoroughly clean the windshield - twice, and even Rainex. Nothing stopped the chatter for more than a few minutes. Until............... I tried a set of the new bracketless blades. They are all composite w/o the metal frame, fit the 97+ J-hook arms, and work great! It's been raining down here almost steadily for the past week, and I've been using the wipers a lot lately. Zero chattering in all kinds of weather with no missed spots or streaking. I know this sounds like a commercial, but these blades really do work as advertised. And they only cost about $10/set on Ebay which is considerably cheaper than a set of the metal frame blades. I don't know how long they will last yet, but they will be very affordable to replace. Give them a try. Mr. HOrnbrod, take a look at the red underlined text in your above quote... where can I get those bushings for the wiper transmission arms at? Seems to me that I read somewhere, on this terrific board, that these same bushings are readily available through the 'Help' products, in many of the automotive parts houses. But unfortunately I can not locate that thread! Oh, now I see the above link!!! PS: I love that hood, can that be purchased somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 Dorman 49447 Windshield Wiper Linkage Bushing Kit The steel cowl hood was made by Reflexxion, # 731800. Unfortunately it's NLA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronManche87 Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 I did the 97 wiper arm swap with bean blades once I finally fixed my wipers and I love them for the most part. The right side wiper doesn't quite hug the windshield that great but no chatter at all.Sent from my LGMS210 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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