Harlequin
Member Since: 29 Mar 2007
Location: Hornsea, East Yorkshire
Posts: 231
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| Noisy wipers - are LR admitting there is a problem? |
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Although not strictly a new topic, I am posting this separately for maximum impact!
For three months, I have endured noisy wiper blades and despite a new set, and much twisting and tweaking by a very helpful dealer, the situation didn't improve. The problem is well documented elsewhere on this site.
Whilst in the middle of a holiday on the south coast this week, I really couldn't face the prospect of 250 miles of screeching and groaning all the way up the motorway on the return journey, so contacted Westover Landrover in Christchurch to see what they could do. Imagine my delight when I was told that a delivery of 'replacement / new design' blades was expected the next day.
They have now been fitted - and guess what - perfectly silent wiper blades - indeed a joy to 'listen' to!! I must also congratulate Westover on their thoroughly helpful and attentive approach to the problem - especially as they's never seen me before!
Should anyone be bothered by dealers telling them wiper blades aren't covered by warranty - here is an extract from Landrover's Warranty Manual (I won't say how I came by it!!):
"Wiper Blades
Although recognised as being wear and tear items, wiper blades are claimable for up to 10,000 miles/16,000 kilometres or 1 year on the assumption that the failure resulted from a manufacturing defect.
Note: The customer's Service Portfolio states that these items are not covered. The above guideline, however, should be followed in the interests of customer satisfaction."
Now, on the basis that so many people have had problems - and replacement blades are now available - I would suggest that the case for a 'manufacturing defect' is pretty clear - although LR obviously won't admit to it!
Apologies for the long post - but I hope this helps all those who have had an otherwise perfect vehicle spolit by this niggling problem. I was taught to be cautious.
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 29th Jun 2007 5:19 pm |
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Slimer
Site Moderator
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Last Exit to Nowhere
Posts: 16295
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Have you got a part number for the new ones? The End
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| 29th Jun 2007 6:44 pm |
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Harlequin
Member Since: 29 Mar 2007
Location: Hornsea, East Yorkshire
Posts: 231
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Sorry - no. I may be wrong - but these new blades seem to have a 1/4" metal strip above the rubber blade - running parallel with the screen - which seems different from the previous ones. They certainly seem a bit stiffer. I was taught to be cautious.
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| 29th Jun 2007 7:04 pm |
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Bodsy
Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
 
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That's excellent Harlequin. I'll be getting my dealer to get some when I get back in a couple of weeks.  Bodsys Brake Bible
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See It Here
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| 29th Jun 2007 10:29 pm |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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Right, I'm ringing Westover in the morning! (bought my car from them)
With all the rain this week I've been going bloomin insane with the wiper judder!!!  I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 29th Jun 2007 11:30 pm |
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10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
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The wipers have always had a sprung steel spine....
and the warranty manual is not 'secret' 
There was an early TSB relating to incorrect wiper transit protection removal although some wiper arms didn't have the correct 'twist' angle resulting in the blades dragging across the screen. Most wiper judder is caused by screen or wiper blade contamination, a good clean of both with a suitably strong solvent will cure the judder
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| 29th Jun 2007 11:36 pm |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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I scrubbed the living daylights out of the wipers and screen last weekend. Fine for about 10 minutes, then "grrrrrrrrrrrind....screeech, grrrrrrrrrrrind....screeech" I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 29th Jun 2007 11:50 pm |
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10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
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OK, i'll put it another way.... Shoud LR be responsible for the crap on the roads that ends up contaminating your screen and wipers?
YES there was an issue with a small number of vehicles and YES LR (or more accurately their suppliers) did revise the design of the wiper arms due to wiper judder, however, "if you hear the sound of hooves, think horses, not Zebra's"
i'm all for LR having to fulfil their warranty obligations and adress common issues, but wiper blades - like brake pads ARE subject to wear and tear and therefore consumables... In 18000 miles i've replaced my wiper blades twice -both times due to obvious contamination. trying to claim under warranty would to my mind be both time consuming (think how many hours minutes you have to work for to pay for a pair of blades  ) and probably fraudulent.... Is it worth the effort / principle? probably not, it's so much easier (and doesn't get you the 'awkward cnut' sticker in your service history) just to walk in, buy a pair of blades and walk out again with a smile and a cheery wave from the parts monkey
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:08 am |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
 
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65K miles since Dec 04, no judders, 2nd set is current one, still fine but with the odd streak. may need a third set soon. Will buy them.
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:14 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
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My first set juddered badly from day 1
My second set, replaced under warranty, juddered badly from day 1
I  give up  21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:16 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
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BTW ...I bought glass cutter to clean the windscreen , cleaned the wipers with spirit and used rainx etc.... but jack works  21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:19 am |
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10forcash
Member Since: 09 Jun 2005
Location: Ubique
Posts: 16534
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DG, In your case it sounds like the wiper arm angle needs adjustment
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:21 am |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
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I'll give it a big twist tomorrow  21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:25 am |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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Sorry Ten, I didn't make my point clear. I'm looking to BUY some new revised blades based on what the OP advised, not throw the warranty teddy out of the Disco3. If the type of blades I have are the only ones available then I need to attack my £30+k car with pliers as I've not yet had a journey in the rain that doesn't have me wishing for some ear defenders.
I mentioned I bought the car from Westover as otherwise it may seem OTT for people to just randomly ring them rather than any other dealer. I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 30th Jun 2007 12:47 am |
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Desert Traveller
Member Since: 06 Aug 2006
Location: The Gabba - QLD
Posts: 420
 
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http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic11987.html
In Oz we have recently come up with non-OEM options, and they are SILENT  . I went through 2 sets of the OEMs with no luck  . 06 TDV6 SE with many LR and after-market extras. Used only on weekends and trips out west.
Audi TT Roadster (Daily and around town drive)
VW Eos TDI For Sale
Previously 01 TD5 and 94 TDI
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| 30th Jun 2007 2:21 am |
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