New Hybrid Wiper Blade Has Me Stumped - Appreciate Any and All Feedback - Thanks, Sid

sid_finch

Hi. My wife brought home 'a' - one - windshield wiper for her 2001 New Beetle - and asked me to change the blades. First of all, there's only one. It's some obscure brand. There is a service number to call, but I figured I would ask the experts first - I gotta strong feeling the 'service' folks won't be able to help. This wiper is a Touring Hybrid 21 Extreme Weather Blade (essentially, I suppose, a winter wiper) - 21 inches - 530 mm - part number 07621. Apparently, this is a 'hybrid' wiper, unlike the old standards that are currently on her VW. Everywhere I look, I get the answer that this 2001 VW New Beetle takes two 21 inch blades - which is what this blade is. However...when I compare it to the old standard blades currently on the car, this one is about an inch longer. now - who knows?! - maybe they've been the wrong size all along; she bought the VW, ah, 'pre-owned.' I removed the old wiper blade on the driver's side and have now re-installed it. The wiper blade hardware is a hook and pretty straightforward: you push the little locking tab to release the blade and then pull it out. Replacing it is just the opposite. However, this new blade has completely different hardware - apparently because it's a 'hybrid' blade. Plus it comes with three other small plastic pieces of hardware (or plasticware or something) - I'm guessing these are parts specifically for different blade hardware configurations. I suspect this is either not the right replacement blade - or, I just don't know how to make it work, especially with the three extra plastic pieces of hardware. Anyhow, replacing one blade ain't gonna cut it, anyhow. With my luck, it'll be fighting the other blade and, not only will it not clear the windshield of rain and such, but it'll likely help the hardware of both blades to self-destruct, like one of those battle of the bots shows on tv. Obviously, other than getting another pair of blades - blades that are the 'right' replacement blades?! - I'm kinda stuck and appreciate any local knowledge that'll help me make head or tail out of this blade and this situation. Thanks!

kyfdx

I feel your pain... I buy my wiper blades at Autozone or Advanced Auto, and have them install them.

I'm not embarrassed, even if the clerk is a girl... those things drive me nuts.

thecardoc3

sid_finch said:

Hi. My wife brought home 'a' - one - windshield wiper for her 2001 New Beetle - and asked me to change the blades. First of all, there's only one. It's some obscure brand. There is a service number to call, but I figured I would ask the experts first - I gotta strong feeling the 'service' folks won't be able to help.

Why would you think that? The best service techs analyze things like this at a glance, that's one of the traits that make them good at what they do. But anyway, here is Trico's instructions on how to install their adapters. The blade your wife bought likely has similar instructions. The toughest part of these is usually choosing the correct adapter.

sid_finch said:

I removed the old wiper blade on the driver's side and have now re-installed it. The wiper blade hardware is a hook and pretty straightforward: you push the little locking tab to release the blade and then pull it out. Replacing it is just the opposite. However, this new blade has completely different hardware - apparently because it's a 'hybrid' blade. Plus it comes with three other small plastic pieces of hardware (or plasticware or something) - I'm guessing these are parts specifically for different blade hardware configurations.

That would be correct, those clips adapt the blade to different style arms. Watch the video's above for examples of how to change the clips.

sid_finch said:

I suspect this is either not the right replacement blade - or, I just don't know how to make it work, especially with the three extra plastic pieces of hardware.

If you feel this is intimidating, you should see how complicated some of the stuff that service techs have to do today really is.

thecardoc3

kyfdx said:

I feel your pain... I buy my wiper blades at Autozone or Advanced Auto, and have them install them.

I'm not embarrassed, even if the clerk is a girl... those things drive me nuts.

Too funny.....
If they had real instructions that would take all the fun out of having to figure them out. You've seen me mention managers that couldn't be trusted to install their own wiper blades and that's from back in the days when they were much simpler. It's not a measuring stick by any means but it's probably not an accident that the best techs routinely figure these kinds of things out in less than a minute.

kyfdx

thecardoc3 said:

kyfdx said:

I feel your pain... I buy my wiper blades at Autozone or Advanced Auto, and have them install them.

I'm not embarrassed, even if the clerk is a girl... those things drive me nuts.

Too funny.....
If they had real instructions that would take all the fun out of having to figure them out. You've seen me mention managers that couldn't be trusted to install their own wiper blades and that's from back in the days when they were much simpler. It's not a measuring stick by any means but it's probably not an accident that the best techs routinely figure these kinds of things out in less than a minute.

I mention the girl.. because, it was obvious that she hadn't done this particular blade before, because she was looking at the instructions on the package.. And, less than a minute later, she was done!

A man has to know his limitations...

Mr_Shiftright

Just take it to the store where you bought it and have them install it. They probably do these all day long. If you want to know how, you can watch them.