[perl]

I just received my new SilBlade wipers and went to install them. In the process (which was quite easy for the front, impossible for the back, since then sent the wrong blade) I noticed that the factory driver side blade (2003 MCS LHD) has a strange plastic "out-rigger" like attachment. It appears to be either for wind (to hold it against the windshield) or as a stiffener. The attachment does not appear to be removable, and the replacement blades do not have such a piece installed (nor has any other blade I have ever seen).

Anyone have any hints?

BTW, The SilBlades are slightly longer than the factory blades: 19" vs 18.5" and 18" vs 17.5" but don't "over-wipe."

For those that care about such things, the rear blade is 11" and the SilBlade folks (have to call them tomorrow) sent me a 16"er

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[perl]

I called SilBlade about the error in the rear blade today. Seems they were told by someone (Mini?) that the rear blade was 16" - I was the third person this week to call with the same problem. They have now fixed their database. They also resending me the right blade and a pre-paid return shipping label for the old one.

They also noted that since their blades are 1/2" longer than the factory blades there is a slight possibility of excess wear. In that case, they will replace them. Not bad.

I'd hapilly buy from them again (of course with their 5 years blades I hope I won't have too)

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[uptick]

I just took delivery two days ago and also noticed the aero wing attached to the wiper on the driver's side, and the lack of one on the passenger's side. Was wondering if they forgot to attach a wing on that side, or there shouldn't be one there.

[Dark Silver S]

I asked the same question a few weeks ago, and as a result of the replies, I did some investigating.

The left wiper runs perpendicular to the air flow. The right wiper runs parallel to the air flow. So the left wiper needs the 'wing' to hold it down, while the right one doesn't.

I thought the 'wing' looked like it detaches, but I guess there has to be the correct slots in the new arm to receive it. That tells me that one should replace the blades only, and not the whole arm.

[uptick]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dark Silver S
...The left wiper runs perpendicular to the air flow. The right wiper runs parallel to the air flow. So the left wiper needs the 'wing' to hold it down, while the right one doesn't...

DSS, could you clarify what you mean by the position of the wipers relative to the air flow? My understanding as well as observation is that the wipers sweep in parallel motion (i.e. they're both pointed up at the same time, sweep, and return back to the rest position at the same time). Thus, if air flow is "perpendicular" to the left wiper at a certain wiper position, wouldn't it be the same for the right wiper at that same certain position?

[obehave]

Quote:

Originally posted by Max
The 'outrigger' on the drivers side wiper is a wing, designed to push the blade onto the glass as you drive.

Just curious. This has come up before but never been asked. It's the drivers side in the UK as well right.
Wondering since before there has been a debate on the aerodynamics of it and it's been brought up that one wasn't needed on the (US) passenger side. Now if this were true then there wouldn't be one on the UK drivers side, right?
Which leads to my question, anybody know the part number for the right side. I'd like to balance the look on mine if it's fairly easy.

[Minty]

UK cars only have the wing on the drivers side.

[Dark Silver S]

Quote:

Minty said...
UK cars only have the wing on the drivers side.

They do? That wasn't the impression I got from the previous threads.

Quote:

uptick asks...
DSS, could you clarify what you mean by the position of the wipers relative to the air flow?

I was driving my S in light rain one day, and I observed that the pattern of moving drops on the windscreen was actually radiating from the general center of the window, moving outward. Now picture your wipers in half-stroke. The wiper on the left (as you're looking out) is perpendicular to the flow pattern. The wiper on the right is parallel to the flow pattern. Too hard to illustrate in ASCI. My theory is that the wiper on the right doesn't lift because it is aligned with the flow, while the wiper on the left does because it is opposed to the flow. Minty's observation puts that theory into a cocked hat.

At any rate, the wipers on my S haven't lifted at all from the windscreen, while the wipers on my large custom van (that's American van, not British truck), which has roughly the same angle of windscreen slant, does under turbulance.

[uptick]

It looks like the wiper wing is attached to the "outboard" wiper, which is always on the driver's side (regardless of where the driver sits...)

Here's a UK model (courtesy of Minty's)

[uptick]

and here it is on the US

[uptick]

I think I understand the aerodynamic thing now: When the airflow hits the windshield, it naturally flows over the top and around the sides. When the outboard wiper is pointing straight up, it is at the edge of the windshield, and is prone to be "lifted" off with the the flow. Whereas the passenger side wiper will be standing straight up at the center of the windshield, the area where airflow pressure against the windshield is greatest.

[KJ_daGreenMini]

Quote:

Originally posted by uptick
DSS, could you clarify what you mean by the position of the wipers relative to the air flow? My understanding as well as observation is that the wipers sweep in parallel motion (i.e. they're both pointed up at the same time, sweep, and return back to the rest position at the same time). Thus, if air flow is "perpendicular" to the left wiper at a certain wiper position, wouldn't it be the same for the right wiper at that same certain position?

You have to remember, that the car is symetrical, but the motion and positioning of the wipers is not. i think that may be what causes the differing airflow over the two wipers. The left wiper swings towards the outside, the right wiper swings to the middle.

Opposite for American cars.

[Minty]

Quote:

Originally posted by uptick
Here's a UK model (courtesy of Minty's)

thought i recognised it

[Dark Silver S]

Quote:

Originally posted by KJ_daGreenMini
You have to remember, that the car is symetrical, but the motion and positioning of the wipers is not. i think that may be what causes the differing airflow over the two wipers. The left wiper swings towards the outside, the right wiper swings to the middle.

Opposite for American cars.

So you're saying that, on British cars, the drivers wiper is attached at the right (outboard) side and the the free end is pointing left (inboard)? That would explain why the aero wing is on the drivers side, then.