October 2020

OCTOBER 2020 AFTERMARKET 37 www.aftermarketonline.net free of debris and able to drain properly. “On most cars, the most common cause of the wiper motor failure is because linkages wear, which leads to the ball joints popping off their sockets, bringing the wiper blades to a complete stop. However, with this popular first generation Nissan Qashqai there is another big problem to be aware of. “Reacting to the high demand for replacement motors for this vehicle, the First Line product team investigated the problem and discovered an oversight made during the design and specification of the vehicle at original equipment level, which results in the output shaft seizing, due to the build-up of rust. “This is caused because the output shaft is neither sealed nor lubricated and due to its location, following heavy rainfall, water is able to penetrate between the shaft and motor housing, which allows rust to accumulate. As the rust builds up, the motor is put under stress as it contends with the rising levels of friction on the shaft to keep the wipers moving, until the point when the increased load is drawing a current greater than 30amps, which is when the wiper motor’s fuse will blow.” Jon added: “In addition, should the water that has penetrated between the shaft and housing freeze or the wiper blades freeze to the windscreen and are not freed before the wipers are switched on, the excessive load on the motor may also induce premature failure.” Capitalise Back to the blades themselves. According to Sam Robinson, Senior Marketing Manager, Brand and Product (Wipers) at TRICO, now is the time to push wiper blade awareness, and he said workshops offer a free wiper blade check. “With the clocks going back soon, it’s time for workshops to think of the products that will sell the most during this time and how to capitalise on them. Wiper blades are an excellent consumable to focus on. Especially following the long, bright summer, the UV rays from the sun could have damaged the rubber of the blade, so these will need checking to ensure they’re in optimum condition.” Sam added: “As blades are not only affected by rain and snow, but also the UV rays from the sun, TRICO recommends that wiper blades are replaced every twelve months to ensure maximum effectiveness and visibility.” Below: Renault wiper motor fault as identified by First Line TRICO wiper checklist “To assess a wiper blade’s condition and to identify if it needs replacing,” said Sam Robinson from TRICO, “use the following checklist compiled by TRICO.” Clean screen; Clean the windscreen with warm water or specialist glass cleaning fluid. Pay attention to the top and bottom of the wipe area, as dirt and debris collect there. Also check the glass for any cracks or chips, which can also damage the wiper blade rubber. Safe and secure fitment; Check the blade is securely fixed to the arm. The blade should rotate freely, parallel with the wiper arm, to allow it to flex over the screen, but there should be no wobbling or movement perpendicular to the arm. If the blade shows excessive movement, replace it immediately. Blade edge check; Use a damp cloth or sponge to gently clean the rubber blade edge to remove dirt or residue. Check along its length for any imperfections in the rubber, in particular check at either end that it has not split. Ensure that the rubber element returns to a central position and is not flipped over and set in one direction. If the blade fails any of these checks, it should be replaced. Wipe check; Operate the wipers, using the washer spray or a mister bottle to spray the glass, and check that there are no missed areas, water smears or multiple streaks that impair vision. Any light misting remaining after the wipe should disappear quickly. Blades that leave streaks or smears should be replaced immediately. Above: Borg & Beck wiper blades