Facelift Juddering front wiper

paradigital

paradigital

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So, with the weather steadily getting worse over the last month or so, I noticed that my drivers side wiper judders on its up stroke, massively judders too, to the point where you can feel the vibration, not just hear it. It made no difference how wet the screen was, or if I’d recently cleaned the screen and/or wiper blades. The passenger side is fine.

I’ve tried the following:
  • Cleaning the glass with Autoglym FastGlass (this is how I’ve cleaned all my car windscreens for 10+ years).
  • Cleaning the glass with vinegar and newspaper (old wives tale?).
  • Polishing the glass with Autoglym Glass Polish.
  • Waxing the Glass with various waxes (anything from Autoglym HD wax through to Poorboys Black Hole).
  • Sealing the glass with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection.
  • Sealing the glass with Rain-X.
  • I’ve also tried removing every single product (between trying others, and completely, without trying anything at all other than a wash with filtered rainwater) by using Isopropyl Alcohol to bring the glass back to “naked”.
Sick of the incessant vibration, I bought some replacement wiper blades in the form of Bosch Aerotwins. I thought this had worked as I managed a quick drive to the office (10 miles) in light drizzle with no vibration at all, but then I had to do a 500 mile round trip to Edinburgh and back, and the ****** vibration is back exactly as bad as it was before!

I feel REALLY daft wanting to go to the dealer with this as a problem, so I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced similar on their 8V?
 
paradigital said:
So, with the weather steadily getting worse over the last month or so, I noticed that my drivers side wiper judders on its up stroke, massively judders too, to the point where you can feel the vibration, not just hear it. It made no difference how wet the screen was, or if I’d recently cleaned the screen and/or wiper blades. The passenger side is fine.

I’ve tried the following:
  • Cleaning the glass with Autoglym FastGlass (this is how I’ve cleaned all my car windscreens for 10+ years).
  • Cleaning the glass with vinegar and newspaper (old wives tale?).
  • Polishing the glass with Autoglym Glass Polish.
  • Waxing the Glass with various waxes (anything from Autoglym HD wax through to Poorboys Black Hole).
  • Sealing the glass with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection.
  • Sealing the glass with Rain-X.
  • I’ve also tried removing every single product (between trying others, and completely, without trying anything at all other than a wash with filtered rainwater) by using Isopropyl Alcohol to bring the glass back to “naked”.
Sick of the incessant vibration, I bought some replacement wiper blades in the form of Bosch Aerotwins. I thought this had worked as I managed a quick drive to the office (10 miles) in light drizzle with no vibration at all, but then I had to do a 500 mile round trip to Edinburgh and back, and the ****** vibration is back exactly as bad as it was before!

I feel REALLY daft wanting to go to the dealer with this as a problem, so I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced similar on their 8V?
Click to expand...

Same here with an A1 driver side 24-inch wiper, tried everything you have and maybe (?) more: 2 sets of OEM and 2 sets of Bosch Aerotwin blades. Tried the 303 tablets, too.

Now trying a set of PIAA silicon wipers - and I do think they may (?) be better. Gonna give 'em a 1000 miles and if these do not satisfy then a new screen is going in. Silly I know but hey.

And my blades vibrate both up and down so can't even try the 'twist-the-arm' resolution, though I have to admit to having tried with no improvement one way or the other.

My TT and RS3 with the same/usual washing procedures/materials give no problem at all; just the A1 driver side blade.

Even tried two 16-inch (passenger-side) blades, still the same damn vibration on the driver side.

So I know where you're at and sympathise.

Take a look at the PIAA blades. Go read the techi stuff and maybe you'll consider, as I have, a resolution therein, see: http://www.piaa.co.uk/wipers/wipershow.asp?id=47&make=AUDI&model=A1+3-Doors&year=9/2010+-

Jeeze, and you're in Staffordshire, SNAP!! Is it Staffs weather that's the cause?
 
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paradigital said:
So, with the weather steadily getting worse over the last month or so, I noticed that my drivers side wiper judders on its up stroke, massively judders too, to the point where you can feel the vibration, not just hear it. It made no difference how wet the screen was, or if I’d recently cleaned the screen and/or wiper blades. The passenger side is fine.

I’ve tried the following:
  • Cleaning the glass with Autoglym FastGlass (this is how I’ve cleaned all my car windscreens for 10+ years).
  • Cleaning the glass with vinegar and newspaper (old wives tale?).
  • Polishing the glass with Autoglym Glass Polish.
  • Waxing the Glass with various waxes (anything from Autoglym HD wax through to Poorboys Black Hole).
  • Sealing the glass with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection.
  • Sealing the glass with Rain-X.
  • I’ve also tried removing every single product (between trying others, and completely, without trying anything at all other than a wash with filtered rainwater) by using Isopropyl Alcohol to bring the glass back to “naked”.
Sick of the incessant vibration, I bought some replacement wiper blades in the form of Bosch Aerotwins. I thought this had worked as I managed a quick drive to the office (10 miles) in light drizzle with no vibration at all, but then I had to do a 500 mile round trip to Edinburgh and back, and the ****** vibration is back exactly as bad as it was before!

I feel REALLY daft wanting to go to the dealer with this as a problem, so I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced similar on their 8V?
Click to expand...
Mines been doing exactly the same, was thinking about contacting Audi. Thought it was just because it was drizzle but even when it was chucking it down it was still happening.
 
Is there any way of decreasing the spring pressure?
Thinking out loud from an engineering viewpoint, run your finger across a window gently and it’s smooth, apply pressure and it judders.
@45bvtc did you try an arm? If you have the old one try stretching the spring perhaps and release some of the pressure? Just a thought and may be less expensive than a new screen.
 
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Mine was the same, drivers side on the upward sweep
Tried everything on mine as above, dealer wasn't interested, wouldn't change the blades under warranty though they did clay it and it was ok for a couple of weeks before it returned.
Finally got some Carpro Ceriglass and applied it with a DA on a rayon pad. This cured it and it was heaven to be out in the rain with quiet wipers.
It doesn't last forever and i redo it every few months, but it only takes 5 mins so no issue

https://carpro.uk.com/products/ceriglass-glass-polish-cleaner
 
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Taztastic said:
Is there any way of decreasing the spring pressure?
Thinking out loud from an engineering viewpoint, run your finger across a window gently and it’s smooth, apply pressure and it judders.
@45bvtc did you try an arm? If you have the old one try stretching the spring perhaps and release some of the pressure? Just a thought and may be less expensive than a new screen.
Click to expand...

I haven't yet, Taztastic, but I'll be getting one ordered today from Stafford Audi. I certainly want to give these PIAA SiTech Silicon wipers a few weeks of rain to bed-in as they claim to improve with use by applying Silicon to the glass - for now they are an improvement over both OEM and Bosch Aerotwin.

Interestingly each PIAA SiTech Silicon wiper is supplied with a 'windscreen preparation pack':

PIAA Prep Pack 1 PIAA Prep Pack 2


 
do they judder when moving in both directions, or just when they are moving in one particular direction?
 
I had the same problem and with Rain X on it it was even worse .
I solved the problem by cleaning with megiuars glass cleaner.
MEGUIARS PERFECT CLARITY GLASS CLEANER #G8216

S3 sportback 2017 daytona
 
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maninthestreet said:
do they judder when moving in both directions, or just when they are moving in one particular direction?
Click to expand...

Both up and down for me, driver side only; twisting the arm slightly didn't reduce the vibration in either direction. No vibration on a dry screen. Passenger side is perfect.

When I've thoroughly clean the screen the vibration is worse. I have applied a smear of silicon lubricant to the blade and that'll reduce the vibration for a time, and that's why I'm trying the PIAA blades: rain forecast for our Thursday morning drive and so they should get a thorough test.

New OS wiper arm (8X2955408) on order...

A new windscreen remains an option but with auto-lights and auto-wipe I'm reluctant; so intend to give these PIAA blades a few weeks as they claim to apply silicon to the screen with application thus reducing vibration. :readit:
 
I had this problem too and found it was due to me 'treating' the glass with some of the above products. I solved my issue by ensuring I had given the window a good polish with a dry cloth afterwards. The wipers are now as smooth as you like.

I'm not sure if this is a problem with the S3, necessarily, as this is the first car I've had the problem with, but it is also the first car I've ever tried any of the products on.
 
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I had the same problem yesterday... first rain and the driver side wiper started to judder a lot. With increasing rain it eventually subsided but to be honest it is a bit irritating considering that the car is only 8 months old.
 
I've even tried this, Squeegee Off:

Sqeegee Off

Now if any of you guys clean your own house windows as I do then this stuff is amazingly good and designed specifically to enable the rubber blade to smoothly wipe the glass and it does work soooo well! Now you'd think the principle the same, and for sure it does work, initially; but then back comes the vibration.

There HAS to be an answer somewhere.

OK, I'm now on PIAA wiper blades and have a replacement wiper arm on order - that won't be fitted until I've given the PIAA blades time to 'work.'

And, having listened to 'allanmb' I've ordered a new bottle of Autoglym car glass polish, but again I'll not apply until I've given the PIAA blades time to 'work.'.

But once more, I don't have an issue with my TT and/or RS3, just the A1, and the A1 gets washed just the same as the other two.

Interesting...
6406.gif
 
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audi upgrades
Daughters A1 was the same as the S3, done with Ceriglass and the issue went away. Daughters Q3 no problems
 
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Mine was like that from new, dealer adjusted the tension and it is now better but still does it a little - I cant remember which way is worse for me, but it is worse on either intermittent/continuous or flick wipe!
 
dolo said:
Daughters A1 was the same as the S3, done with Ceriglass and the issue went away. Daughters Q3 no problems
Click to expand...

Thanks dodo, I'll give that a try: on order from 'Clean your Car'...

Upload 2017 10 4 10 16 35

Whatever works for me I'll provide feedback; trying for now: 1) PIAA wipers, and then 2) a new arm (and will modify the tension as necessary), and 3) Ceriglass - though I may try that before changing the arm.
 
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First 35-mile run this morning using the PIAA wipers in rain, drizzle, and - in drying conditions - road spray and with ZERO vibration, just a smooth wipe, so all good for now.

New wiper arm shows spring and spring anchor and on first inspection it looks simple enough to manufacture a new spring-anchor (or re-bend the existing?). I may even have, or be able to source, an alternative spring.

Wiper arm

However, fingers crossed, the PIAA wipers may, as said on the box, improve further; time will tell.
 
45bvtc said:
First 35-mile run this morning using the PIAA wipers in rain, drizzle, and - in drying conditions - road spray and with ZERO vibration, just a smooth wipe, so all good for now.

New wiper arm shows spring and spring anchor and on first inspection it looks simple enough to manufacture a new spring-anchor (or re-bend the existing?). I may even have, or be able to source, an alternative spring.

View attachment 137967

However, fingers crossed, the PIAA wipers may, as said on the box, improve further; time will tell.
Click to expand...

Now I've the spare wiper arm and can 'play' I've found it's sure easy to insert a flat blade screwdriver between the spring-coils (several) and use the screwdriver (twist) to open-up-the-coils and therefore increase the length of the spring and therefore reduce the tension/spring pressure from the arm on the blade - trouble is that you cannot put that 'tension' back in...

So, for now, I'm going to allow the PIAA wiper blades time to work - as they currently are - without vibration and then, should the vibration return, remove the original wiper arm and replace with this modified/extended spring wiper-arm and pursue a reduced-spring-tension theme - that's gonna be cheaper than a replacement windscreen, anyway.

Never give up...
7072.gif
 
Yet another wet driving day in the A1 with the PIAA SiTech wiper blades and not a hint of vibration; happy days.

Haven't cleaned the windscreen and/or changed the wiper arm, just a change to SiTech wiper blades.

I've also checked the wiper arm spring load at point of attachment to the blade on all three of my cars: the RS3 is 985/945 grams driver/passenger side; the TT is 985/965 grams driver/passenger side; and the A1 is 965/945 grams driver/passenger side; so the weights are similar if not very near the same.

Report back again in a month or so of further wet weather running.
 
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And yet another drizzle day in the A1 with the PIAA SiTech wiper blades and not a hint of vibration, can't believe the difference
 
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OK, last report October 6th with these PIAA wipers that for me resolved ALL my juddering front wiper issue 100% and believe me I had tried lots and everything to stop the damn things vibrating.

Since fitting the PIAA wiper blades last month, 6th October, there's been NO vibration whatsoever. No vibration in drizzle, spray, light rain, heavy rain, nothing. If anything, the more you use 'em the smoooooother they get - and that's what it says on the box.

NOT wanting to sound like a PIAA salesman but for sure these darn things are ****** good and for sure I'll not be fitting OEM or Bosch Aerotwin again on anything. The next windscreen wiper blades for my TT or RS3 are gonna be PIAA, no question. The A1, too.

Anyone wants 2-sets of Bosch Aerotwin and 1-set of OEM for a 2013 Audi A1 then please contact as I have 'em.
 
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I replaced mine with A864s Bosch Aerotwin as the OEM ones were doing my head in.
That was three months ago and they have been perfect ever since and we get a lot of rain over here in NI..
 
Well my AeroTwins are almost (but not quite) as useless as the OEM wiper blades. So I've now got two sets of wipers that have done less than 3,000 miles (and not all of that in the rain). The Bosch ones will have less than 1,000 miles on them!

It's become that annoying now, I resort to taking my MK2 MX5 out if I know it's going to rain, and this car is on (Yokohama Advan AD08R) semi-slicks!

Looks like I'll try some PIAA ones.
 
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Just got back from holiday screen all iced up wipers on auto basically theve ripped the edge off the passenger side whilst I was warming her up ****** ,where did you get your Piaa wipers from as I may as well get a set rather than waste money on the areotwins by the sound of it
 
Keef1004 said:
Just got back from holiday screen all iced up wipers on auto basically theve ripped the edge off the passenger side whilst I was warming her up ****** ,where did you get your Piaa wipers from as I may as well get a set rather than waste money on the areotwins by the sound of it
Click to expand...

Demon Tweeks - and they are still 100% PERFECT!

For sure when my TT and/or RS3 wiper blades need replacing then PIAA SiTech wiper blades will be fitted, no question.
 
I have never cleaned my windscreen with anything other than shampoo when washing the car.
Sometimes I think the more you clean it the gripier it gets and just adds to the problem.

My Aerotwins are still perfect. If anyone wants to send me the ones they are throwing out it should keep me in wipers for years :smile new:
 
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I agree with you 100% Mike, but. And I'm old school, been doing cars a loooooong time. And I do have 2-sets of Aerotwins that you are welcome to, but they are for an A1. I kid you not the vibration on the driver side of the A1 defeated me BIG time. I tried everything that anyone suggested. Someone swore by 303 tablets, even, and I tried 'em. Ended up sending him the remaining 303 tablets as they worked for him. I had 100% intended to change the screen, as I do - still - believe it a windscreen glass issue. But the PIAA sorted it, 100%, no question. Until you have the problem you won't know, but when you do, it'll drive you CRAZY.

Like you "I have never cleaned my windscreen with anything other than shampoo when washing the car" and that works 100% on my TT and RS3. But NOT on my A1. Jeeeeeeeze it pi**ed me off. Contributors here would come up with their solution and I'd try it! So it cost a few £s, I'd try it. 12-months on the only resolution for me were a NEW windscreen, and then I read of the PIAA wiper blades. I've known PIAA for many years through rally cars and so read their BLURB and concluded that before brickin' (you have no idea if you doubt me) the screen I'd give them one last try, and HEY!!!!

For anyone with a windscreen wiper vibration issue I'd recommend PIAA, period.
6399.gif
 
I bought wipers from audi and they have been fine. Only last 2 morning they have juddered slightly on the down wipe. Hopefully just because of it being -7 on Monday and -3 today. They seemed fine last night when it was sleety no judder
 
Toonsoldier91 said:
I bought wipers from audi and they have been fine. Only last 2 morning they have juddered slightly on the down wipe. Hopefully just because of it being -7 on Monday and -3 today. They seemed fine last night when it was sleety no judder
Click to expand...


Hope ALL is good for you - but you know where to look if it doesn't, as it didn't for me.
 
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45bvtc said:
Yep!

http://www.piaa.co.uk/wipers/wipershow.asp?id=47&make=AUDI&model=A1+3-Doors&year=9/2010+-

Spent MOST of this year trying to sort my problem and these bu**ers did it in ONE!

And it still pi**es me off as I'd tried everything else I knew plus ALL of the other helpful stuff from others, just sayin' :whip:
Click to expand...

Same design as the genuine audi ones. Mine are alright in normal temperatures. Bit noisy when stopped but at speed you can't hear them and absolutely no judder. 46 for the pair make them around the same as audi. Think I payed 42.99 or something
 
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Appreciate this a relatively old thread but, just stuck a PIAA wiper drivers side on my A4. Which judders and squeaks which seems to go against your suggestion it resolves the issues of other blades :neutral:
 
Mines been doing this since new and i only have a couple of thousand on the clock. Dealer replaced the wipers and it still does it. New wipers made it a little bit better.
Must be a finish on the windscreen or the angle of it that’s causing this. Might give the PIAA a shot or use some really aggressive cleaners on it just in case it’s wax or oils on the screen that’s not washing off.
 
Andy-1878 said:
Appreciate this a relatively old thread but, just stuck a PIAA wiper drivers side on my A4. Which judders and squeaks which seems to go against your suggestion it resolves the issues of other blades :neutral:
Click to expand...

Cured my problem back then Andy and mine are still vibration free. Re-fit both/either the Audi OEM and/or Bosch and I get vibration, immediately; no such problem with the PIAA. Should my vibration problem arise with the PIAA then I'll be having a replacement windscreen.
 
Andy-1878 said:
Appreciate this a relatively old thread but, just stuck a PIAA wiper drivers side on my A4. Which judders and squeaks which seems to go against your suggestion it resolves the issues of other blades :neutral:
Click to expand...

Do your blades vibrate in both directions, Andy, both up and down sweep? Mine vibrated in BOTH directions.

If you're local I'd gladly demonstrate mine with both the 'still' vibrating Audi OEM and Bosch blades and then my non-vibrating PIAA.

 
Interesting thread. My wiper blades (the OEM ones supplied on the car) developed a judder when the car was about 6 months old. I replaced the blades with Bosch aerotwin and they have never juddered since. I intend to replace the aerotwins soon though as they are now over a year old and I generally find blades last about a year (if you are as fussy as I am).
 
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Guys not sure if it's any help but I had a new genuine Audi windscreen fitted and a new set of Bosch wiper blades and the wiper judder is shocking so if your thinking of going down the new windscreen route I wouldn't bother. Iam thinking on trying the piaa wipers to see if it helps.
 
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