I replaced the wipers in our '14 RDX earlier this week with the Rain-X Weatherbeaters but I'm not getting that satisfying click with the driver's side when I install it. I did with the passenger side and it looks the same to me. Has anyone else had problems like that? The wife, who drives the car, said she heard a squeak and it looked crooked. I was afraid that it was slipping off the J hook and the arm would damage the glass but it looks fine to me. The squeak she heard might just be from using wipers on dry glass.

 

I attempted to replace OEM windshield vipers with Bosch Icons, Michelin and RainX. Never had an issue with fitting but just the annoying rattling or chattering. I purchased OEM rubber refills. Done with aftermarket vipers.

 

If you purchased the wiper blades at a place like Advance/AutoZone/Pepboys go backto the store. They generally offer free installation and since they do it numerous times every day may be able to determine the problem. Until you get it fixed keep some duct tape in the car. If that blade comes off in a rainstorm the arm will damage the windshield; you don’t want to trade one problem for another. Wrap a generous amount of tape around the end of the arm to protect the glass.

FYI, dealers sell just the rubber inserts and they are relatively inexpensive compared to buying the whole blade assembly. That is my preferred route and I especially don’t like Rain-X products.

 

have you cleaned the windshield as well? Running new wipers on a dirty windshield also just greatly diminishes the usable life

 

Ditto. I always clean the glass before using new wipers.

 

I've been doing this for 35+ years for all of our Acuras and Hondas. Never had an issue.

 

I'll keep the old wiper arms and be ready to use inserts from the dealer instead next time.
I got the Rain-X ones online, so no physical store for installation. Seemed easy enough, the passenger side was quick and the video makes it look easy.
I hadn't cleaned the glass but it was in the middle of a rainy week so I figured they were clean enough.

 

I've had that happen when one wiper goes on easy, the other you're never sure if fully secured. I simply uninstall it and make sure everything is lined up properly and use a little more force when sliding the wiper onto the hook. That seems to do it.

There's nothing speical about the J-hooks. It likely needs a extra tug.

 

I used aftermarket wipers on other cars, but always use Honda replacement rubber refill inserts on the '13 RDX.

Have found the Honda rubber refill blades last longer than any more expensive aftermarkets I've tried, and are trouble free.

ymmv.

 

BTW, the easiest way to clean the glass is using SOS Steel Wool pads (specifically the fine grade, like #0000). This method removers all impurities that are cooked on the glass without damaging the glass itself. Just wet the surface and the pad before cleaning. Light pressure is all that's needed; let the pad do the work. Follow up with a glass cleaner like Invisible Glass for a streak-free finish.

 

NO!!!!!!!!!!! Do not use steel wool regardless of the "grade" on glass. Without some extreme care you can easily put fine scratches in the glass surface.

If you have some glass that needs really in-depth cleaning use one of the commercial products designed for that purpose and wipe down the wiper blades with rubbing alcohol.

 

It is up to you, but I use it every couple of years, and for years, on all my cars. Always with excellent result and not ever a scratch. You may want to Google this method before making such a strong warning.

 

The issue with fine (#0000) steel wool is it can be used but it requires careful handling because it can lead to scratching. I have a friend that does very well with a paint-less dent removal shop; his work over the years has expanded well beyond paint-less dent removal. He frequently has clients that have used steel wool on windshields with less than desirable results. Perhaps because they didn’t have the correct grade of steel wool, too much pressure, debris on the glass that ended up imbedded in the steel wool, etc. He has to use cerium oxide and a buffer to often restore the windshield, often costing $125 for an hour of labor. Rather Interesting is he finds a high percentage of German cars are often the worst. In any event any method is up to the skills of the person doing the process. They may be skilled and exhibit care but not everyone meets that criteria. My friend has encountered for instance people, very pleased with the outside of the windshield, then decided to do the inside and in short order found their heads up display no longer worked properly.

 

I did...there's far more indictments against it, than advocacy for it. I'll pass.