Wiper rattle!

[MehMan]

Does anybody know why they would rattle when going over 80 mph? It's not the plastic beneath the wipers, it's the wipers themselves. And they're new! The wiper arms aren't though, just the blades. Rattled with the old ones too. It's really annoying. And I don't even have to be going over 80, if I get strong headwinds they start rattling before that. They shut up if I turn them on. I did a search and couldn't find anything conclusive, nearly everybody has a problem with the plastic covers underneath the wipers, but I bought all new clips for those and they are fine. And I doubt that they'd stop rattling if I turned the wipers on.

Any help, clues? Is the wiper arm spring going kaput?

[jehu]

Check your Wiper Motor bolts.... on left hand drive cars c grab the wiper arm and see if you can sense any looseness... it may be the three bolts holding the motor to the wiper deck have besome loose

This bothered me for a while , bought new blades thinking it was a problem with the rubber but it was the same

removed the arm, removed the grill and tightened the Bolts fixing the problem .. restoring quiet wiper function.

[ishcan]

Aerodynamics. At 80 mph the wind resistance is enough to lift the blades off the glass. How often are you driving 80 MPH in the rain?

[MehMan]

It's in the dry, that's the problem. And at 80 wipers shouldn't rattle.

[jehu]

It's in the dry, that's the problem. And at 80 wipers shouldn't rattle.
Do you have Bosch Icons or a similar type? maybe better aerodynamics..

http://images.autoserviceprofessional.com/post/M-Bosch-ICON-Wiper-Blades-1.jpg

[MehMan]

I have OE blades. Well, the blades are OE, but the inserts aren't. I've tried complete BMW blades that I know are OK, new BMW inserts and then just for the hell of it, cheapo inserts. I'm going to try and tape the wiper blade onto the screen just to see what happens.

[jehu]

With the Bosch icon type there is not metal fram.. the back if flexible with the blade fittied into it.. Sits more snugly on the windshield without the metal arms assembly to rattle about..

http://images.solidcactus.com/autobarn/icon-wiper-bblade.jpg

[bubba966]

I'd say try this first


Check your Wiper Motor bolts.... on left hand drive cars c grab the wiper arm and see if you can sense any looseness... it may be the three bolts holding the motor to the wiper deck have besome loose

This bothered me for a while , bought new blades thinking it was a problem with the rubber but it was the same

removed the arm, removed the grill and tightened the Bolts fixing the problem .. restoring quiet wiper function.

Both my E34's have factory blade assemblies with aftermarket inserts (PIAA silicone blades). Neither one rattles at any speed. The Touring sees 80-100mph frequently. The M-Sport has seen up to 145mph though it usually doesn't get going past 120mph. But it frequently gets into 100-120mph (freeway on ramp fun).

[eddycooper]

I have the same problem and I've been wondering if the problem is with the wiper pressure adjustment motor - if your car came with that option.

[peterjk4]

I've had this problem at exactly 78 mph, I ended up replacing all the cowling clips and it stopped. They tend to back off and allow the cowling to seem tight and in place, but once enough air pushes up the cowl they don hood it don as tightly as they should. 0.75 cents each through pelican parts, plus I cleaned all the naty leaves and junk built up in the cowl. Ill post photos shortly

[5Toes]

Get some Valeo 800-22-8's.. built in spoiler

[ishcan]

It's in the dry, that's the problem. And at 80 wipers shouldn't rattle.

Lol, my bad, I assumed it was with the wipers on since I've never had the problem. Bosch blades FTW I guess :devillook

[steinjeremo]

At 80 mph the wind resistance is enough to lift the blades off the glass.http://www.pujv.info/11a.jpg

[mottati]

I have the same problem and I've been wondering if the problem is with the wiper pressure adjustment motor - if your car came with that option.

I think it may be this as well. My 750iL did the same, there is a bolt that you can tighten the tension on the wiper pressure motor, at the bottom of the wiper arm/shaft. Try to tighten that, if you car has this option. Or check if the tensioner works at all (you should hear it 'unwind' after you shut the car off, check fuses etc if not).

None of my US e34's have this option, but you're not in the US, so it may.

And none of my wipers lift at speeds like this. They should not, assuming everything is correct. The oe wiper arms are shaped like they are for a reason.