elemgee

I've finally found something more difficult to replace than the alternator on my 1970 Jaguar E-type (sold many years ago). It was replacing the windshield wipers on an 05 RL. I purchased a set from an on-line auto parts store that allegedly would fit the RL. It came with some strange part to make it fit.

On the one hand, I was impressed that Acura would devote so much effort to making sure the windshield wipers actually stay on the car. Took me about 1/2 hour to figure out how to remove them from the car. And then trying to get the new ones to fit? AFter playing with the new ones for another 30 minutes, turning the over in my hand, looking at this part to make them fit, and consulting some advanced mechanical engineering textbooks, I just removed the inserts from the old ones and replaced them with the inserts from the new ones. Another 20 minutes to get those tiny little bastard screws to fit the blades onto the wiper arms, and voila, I was done.

Next time I need new wipers I'll buy them from Acura.

037

not really sure where you went wrong, but wiper inserts is what the company meant for you to replace.

You take inserts out...you put new inserts in. A popular choice are the PIAA. You just drag out the old one's and you just slide in the new one's.

It really shouldn't require textbooks of any sort.

It's much easier if you remove the 2 screws off the wipers first, of course.

lland

Get the PIAA Super Silicone inserts and you won't have to worry about changing them again for a while. I put these on my '06 in early '07. I'm still on my first set and they still clear like new.

LL

Professor

I just replaced mine in about 15 minutes. I stopped the blades midway on the windshield so I could lift them up. Then I pulled the refill from the bottom all the way through the tracks. Used the old silver shims and put them in the new refills and masking tape around the refills every three inches to keep the shims in place. Start at the bottom resliding the refills through the track. Everytime the masking tape gets close to a track, simply remove it. This will keep the shims in place. Keep on pulling to the top, removing tape, and get one last good pull at the top to lock the refills into the blade.

Professor

BTW, the dealer wanted $40 for that 15 minute job.

jfarabaugh

it is more of a 2 minute job to replace them

037

not really sure why you made it that complicated.

remove 2 scews, pull blades out, insert new PIAA Sillicone blades (metal piece already part of it) and pull them back in till it locks, done.

I see no reason to spend more than 5 minutes on it unless you just can't reach the screws easily (driver side is a bit of a stretch).

BadMojo

+1 for the PIAA Silicone blades... The clips work great and it is a 5 minute install for both sides.

-Mojo

Treblig

Where are you guys getting your PIAA refills from? From the places that I search they appear to be different width size above 19" (6mm vs 8mm). And since the RL takes a 19" and 26" blade that would be two different widths. Any fit issues??

037

no issues, I'm on my 2nd set and been using PIAA sillicone inserts for the past 2.5 years

Professor

If you want to keep the OEM blades and just get the refills, it's about $8.

BadMojo

I get mine from Amazon, if you order 2 sets, it puts you over the free shipping threshold..

-Mojo

Pan0k

I thought it was 19" and 28".

thephantom

I've had my PIAA silicones for about 8 months now and they suck! Maybe it's my blades and not the inserts but they were streaking from day-one, and now, it's really streaking.

I used to get Rain-X Latitudes and they were awesome. Too bad I can't use those with my two-screws-per-blade configuration.

ichi d

i find them kind of over rated too. they are just on par with oems. try cleaning the inserts that help for me.

thephantom

Cleaned them a few times already, doesn't make much of a difference.

rlx015

I ordered the set through 4wheelparts.com and order was immediately charged 2 days after placing an order - but on the status it states "processed 0" - meaning no contact from them via e-mail; tried sending 2 e-mails - nothing - called them now and they state have to call back on MONDAY!?! 9 days after the order that did not even ship.

To me this stinks like a SCAM!!! DO NOT BUY THERE!!!!

ronvanr

I just changed my blades. No tools necessary. No need to remove the wiper blade, don't forget you can move your windshield wipers to winter mode. Then you can bend the arm to the wiper up away from the window. Pull out the old blade insert the new blade. Do the same for the other side. Move wipers to summer mode. As a previous person mentioned, it just takes 5 minutes. Owners manual shows you how to move wiper into winter mode- easy to do. I used PIAA 28inch=700mm by 5/16inch = 8mm for the drivers side. PIAA 19inch=475mm by 1/4inch = 6mm for the passenger side. Purchased at autobarn, consumer reports recommends blade change every 6 months, it's cheap easy and makes your car safer to drive. Best of luck.

My car is a 2008 RL

Pint

Replaced today insert on passenger side. With unscrewing those two holding screws under plastic cover, all in all took about 15 minutes. Hassle free job.

akskiboy

Hey all! New to this community - awesome resource and great material here!
What I was wondering is if there is such a thing as "winter blades" or entire winter assembly for RL 2006. Had my inserts changed at the dealership - next day blades start streaking with the snow/ice. I live in Alaska and it's going to be challenging is blades don't work properly.
At the dealership I was told by a young kid at parts department that there is no solution, RL has a custom clamps for the blades so only inserts can be changed. Any solutions, ideas, thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Carbon Legend

Piaa blades did great 2 nights ago in heavy lake effect snow.

racerrl

I had my dealer,(Crown Acura), insert my PIAA's during my last oil/tire service and they did it at no charge. I have all of my service done there and they have a great service center. I love my PIAA's so far, but time will tell. I'd love to get blade life like lland but I doubt it because of this burning hot Florida sun.

thephantom

You can't replace the wipers with any aftermarket wipers, so you may want to stock a few pairs of the blade refills.

RLover

This is a recent reply to an old post but fyi, as of today, Amazon doesn't carry the 28". AutoBarn does.

mitchkramez

They're both on amazon now. Here are the urls:

ichi d

I had the PIAA's and I didn't like them at all, the oem's are cheaper and work a lot better imo.

RL2010

Came to the forum to find out exactly which blade refills to buy, and where to buy them, and your links were like magic.
thank you for taking the time to put those links in this thread - now lets hope i can do the job of installing them ~ !
Russell

rlx015

amazon

TonyCD

I love my PIAA's. Exceptionally long-lived, too.

If cleaning isn't working, mind what you're cleaning them with. I suggest detergent or glass cleaner, with particular attention to the edge that actually meets the glass. Use glass cleaner on the glass, too, when you do so – an oily layer on the glass will make even a clean wiper work like a dirty one.

acura_fantacy

I got a few extra 28'' PIAA refills to giveaway, not sure if it's worth shipping cost. If you are in NYC/CT PM me.

My current pair of PIAA still working fine after 18 month, I do garage my car. OEM refill worked well too, and probably a little cheaper.