wiper blades

[kglowacky]

replacing my wiper blades on my 78. currently has 18 inch all books at the parts house say 16 inch. Anyone have a part after market part number . The parts houses are struggling because I have the flat blade attachment type. Who knows I may have a set off some other car that has been changed over the years.

[Bandit130]

I use 18" blades from Walmart with the OE bayonet style arms. The blades will slide on.

[kglowacky]

went to walmart. They had a rainx blade that would work BUT it seemed a little loose on the fit. I was afraid if it let loose I would need a new windshield. Anyone know of a supplier that sells the original SS blades and rubber, or someone that sells just the insert rubber so I can just replace the rubber. Thanks

[Palf70Step]

I could never find a flat blade style wiper blade assembly that was worth anything. They always seemed too loose. I switched my wiper arms over to the 85-87 style with the bayonette style mount. No issues at all now with loose blades. My truck was an 81, but it should work with yours also.

[cadillac_al]

I always thought the older style was bayonette, oh well. I always buy Anco winter blades and they slip right on the stock arms easily. I would assume the summer Ancos do too. I got some cheapo NAPA wipers a couple years ago. They don't work that great but they do seem to fit snug and haven't lost one.

[Palf70Step]

You might be right on the names, I forgot which is which, but do like the newer style better

[kglowacky]

that's the issue i am having. the blades being sold at walmart and orileys will snap on but they just don't fit right. they are loose and i don't want to take the chance. years ago i could just buy new rubber strips and replace them. oh the good old days. where have they gone.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

that's the issue i am having. the blades being sold at walmart and orileys will snap on but they just don't fit right. they are loose and i don't want to take the chance. years ago i could just buy new rubber strips and replace them. oh the good old days. where have they gone.

It makes no sense now in these days of "Recycle!" that you have to replace the whole damn assembly instead of just the part that wears out

Back in my service station days I must have replaced thousands of those rubber wiper blades with the little metal strip.

[Pontiac1976]

That one way to do it as

I could never find a flat blade style wiper blade assembly that was worth anything. They always seemed too loose. I switched my wiper arms over to the 85-87 style with the bayonette style mount. No issues at all now with loose blades. My truck was an 81, but it should work with yours also.

Or you could just order from rockauto 16" is what 73-87 GM blades where. But a 17" works nice but hard to find clears a little more window. 18" works clear more window but flops around the most and in winter put more wear on the motor.

[Axle]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I could never find a flat blade style wiper blade assembly that was worth anything. They always seemed too loose. I switched my wiper arms over to the 85-87 style with the bayonette style mount. No issues at all now with loose blades. My truck was an 81, but it should work with yours also.

I did the same, pin mount is so much more secure, I had too many flat style break off.
But what I'm finding now (DO NOT buy Tricos unless they are exact fit; garbage that not lock on) is that other than exact fit blades, nobody makes a decent retainer for anything but the modern hook style. Trico used to be my goto back in the 80s and 90's, so didn't give it much thought when I saw them. One did not last an overnight freeze, as soon as the snow brush hit it it went all cockeyed. Had to dig out my old wiper blades to get going.

[LT7A]

After extensive searching I did find where you can buy just the rubber strips online. I would do this if I had the original blade housings on any of my trucks, but I don't. The rubber pieces are just as costly, if not more than buying them with the rest of the blade. Sorry I can't point you directly anywhere, you'll need to do a search. I think they may call them wiper blade inserts.