Resolved Newmar Ventana Driver Side Windshield Wiper Coverage

[Neal]

Last July at the state inspection I got busted for the wiper not clearing sufficiently. The inspector took my answer "it's always been that way, nothing you can do" and let me off. As I failed the inspection anyway I figured I'd replace the wiper blade assemblies hoping it would solve the issue should he require this to be improved. My word was enough so I passed.

Yesterday I drove in the rain and it is in fact bad, the inspector was right. The wiper blade clears up until directly in front of me and then stops. I have no idea how to resolve this or why this is happening as it's not happening on the passenger side. Has anyone else experienced this and has anyone resolved this and if so how?

 

[Richpatty]

H Neal - Do you mean your wipers have never really worked? Ours seems to work fine... Or is it working only wiping good in one direction?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

How old are the wiper blades? We had a similar issue with our previous Ventana LE and a new set of wiper blades cured the problem. Seems that the rubber warps sitting in the sun and also hardens. We like the Trico 67-361 36" wiper blades as replacements; they seem to work better than the OEMs.

TJ

 

[MapNerd]

Might your wiper arm be slightly bent and lifting the blade off of the glass as it rises just past your view where it stops clearing?

 

[Neal]

H Neal - Do you mean your wipers have never really worked? Ours seems to work fine... Or is it working only wiping good in one direction?

When going from lower/stowed to sweep left it stops making contact with the glass directly in front of me and after that so it only clears the first 30% of the travel.

How old are the wiper blades? We had a similar issue with our previous Ventana LE and a new set of wiper blades cured the problem. Seems that the rubber warps sitting in the sun and also hardens. We like the Trico 67-361 36" wiper blades as replacements; they seem to work better than the OEMs.

TJ

New blade holder/arms and blades, it's not the blades, it's the main arm I think is the problem, it has a spring in it and it may just need to be replaced. I'm sure Newmar won't charge much!

Might your wiper arm be slightly bent and lifting the blade off of the glass as it rises just past your view where it stops clearing?

I don't see anything abeeenormal, I tried bending it myself but not sure it's even bendable. I think I'll replace the arm and see what happens. It has to be fixed.

 

[MapNerd]

Grab a dry erase marker and draw a small line on the windshield from where it clears to just past where it stops clearing. Run your windshield wipers in cleaning mode. If the line remains, your arm is probably bent or something big else is going on because your blade is not on the glass. If it goes away or smears, replace your blade.

 

[Neal]

I sent an email to Newmar parts for a quote. There is a spring in the main arm and it could be a combination of things. It's been a while since I've ordered from parts. I'm worried they may have forgotten me Or completed their therapy after my wet bay projects!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Had a car that had that kind of problem. Slow speed was not a problem only over a set speed. The wind lifted the blade. Got another arm and the problem quit. I guess the spring was weak.

 

[Neal]

Ordered a new driver's side arm from Newmar. $140. Not bad. Need to fix this issue that's been a problem since day 1.

 

[Webz]

Neal, I have the same problem since new. I am considering shorter wiper blades. The existing 36 inch blades cover areas of the windshield that is out of my field of view near the top. Thinking of trying 28 to 30 inch blades.

 

[VTPete]

Next time call the OEM, Wiper Techmologies. Global Products LLC |, I paid less than $100 for one in August. You might try removing and repositioning and retorquing your current arm first, use at lest 60ft lbs, WT can tell you the exact figures. There’s a calibration process if nothing else works, adjusting the mechanism behind the front cap, but it’s hard to access. PM me for a link if needed.

 

[Neal]

I'm happy to report the wiper arm change appears to have worked. This is a while parked test but the other one didn't work while parked hence the state inspection ding this past July. I promptly received the new arm from Newmar and was even more pleased to see it's a turnkey replacement. It contains everything including the washer tube run. Replacement took 15 minutes total. One 3/4" nut removed, pull off the old arm (took some force) then transfer the blade assembly. I think 99% of the problem here is likely NOT the arm and spring but whoever assembles these at Newmar is overtightening the blade assembly not allowing it to pivot freely. My prior one did not pivot freely and I tried lubricating it etc. but I think what could have been done would be to try and pry open the outer bracket. I just wanted to be fixed so went with a completely new arm as it may be the spring. I applied white lithium grease to the area where the wiper blade assembly seats to ensure it pivots without resistance. I cut the rubber tubing to the proper length and pushed it over the nipple for the wiper fluid port and used a squirt bottle to wet the windshield to test like the state inspector did with great results.

Keep in mind Newmar does not charge for shipping so I felt, which is rare, Newmar's price was fair. If you have wiper clearing issues first try improving the wiper blade swing friction and lube it and if that doesn't improve it then replace the arm. It's super simple!

A pic of the new arm received below.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Good info, @Neal. You were wise to replace the complete arm. And, I think you may well be correct in thinking that the original installer may have overtightened the blade pivot.

TJ

 

[Neal]

Returned RV to storage, it rained, wiper worked wonderfully. Time from problem to fix: 3 years 3 months.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Returned RV to storage, it rained, wiper worked wonderfully. Time from problem to fix: 3 years 3 months.

No need to rush into anything!

TJ

 

[Webz]

Guess I'll be loosening the pivot bolt a little. Glad I saw this before changing things.
Thanks

 

[KariR]

I'm happy to report the wiper arm change appears to have worked. This is a while parked test but the other one didn't work while parked hence the state inspection ding this past July. I promptly received the new arm from Newmar and was even more pleased to see it's a turnkey replacement. It contains everything including the washer tube run. Replacement took 15 minutes total. One 3/4" nut removed, pull off the old arm (took some force) then transfer the blade assembly. I think 99% of the problem here is likely NOT the arm and spring but whoever assembles these at Newmar is overtightening the blade assembly not allowing it to pivot freely. My prior one did not pivot freely and I tried lubricating it etc. but I think what could have been done would be to try and pry open the outer bracket. I just wanted to be fixed so went with a completely new arm as it may be the spring. I applied white lithium grease to the area where the wiper blade assembly seats to ensure it pivots without resistance. I cut the rubber tubing to the proper length and pushed it over the nipple for the wiper fluid port and used a squirt bottle to wet the windshield to test like the state inspector did with great results.

Keep in mind Newmar does not charge for shipping so I felt, which is rare, Newmar's price was fair. If you have wiper clearing issues first try improving the wiper blade swing friction and lube it and if that doesn't improve it then replace the arm. It's super simple!

A pic of the new arm received below.

View attachment 3395

 

[KariR]

Hi,
Do you remember how much torx/lbs you used in installing the arm?

 

[Neal]

I simply tightened them.

 

[VTPete]

I’ve followed this guidance for arm replacements, even though it’s for another coach.