Trico RB-12-2 Blades

[M. Fehr]

Hi:

I was fortunate enough at this past Corvettes at Carlisle to pick up a set of Trico RB-12-2 wiper blades for a '62 Corvette. I have the polished stainless, the "ribs" but no rubber. Covette Central has the correct rubber reproductions, but they do not come with the rubber inserted in the ribs. My question is, since the ribbs are closed ended, if I buy the correct rubber(dots, markings etc.) from Corvette Central, how do I insert the rubber into the metal ribbs? I was told at a recent car show that originally Trico RB-12-2 wiper blades were not replaceable blades and were made to have the whole assembly replaced. Is this correct?

Thank you

[Jack H.]

Re: Trico RB-12-2 Blades

Yes, the original refills were intended to be discarded and replaced when the rubber wore out. But, you CAN get from here to there provided you have a set of original refill rails....

Remove the rails from the blade holders and carefully study how the rubber mounts inside the SS rails. You'll see the rails have top side cross overs and two cross unders, one at each end. The cross overs maintain separation between the two side rails and the cross unders prevent the rubber from slipping out either end + they hold the 'black gumball' ends on via interference fit.

Remove the old rubber from the SS rails. Shoot both the rails and the replacement rubber with WD-40 to make opposing surfaces wet & slippery. Using a 'snake like' undulating motion insert one end of the replacement rubber's upper mounting rib between the rails at one end of the rails and begin to sniggle/wiggle it along the length of the rails pressing down carefully at each cross over position to get the top rib to slide through the bottom of the cross over without interference. You're done!

[Dave K.]

Re: Trico RB-12-2 Blades

Mark,

Just as Ed Shablek advised at the Day Show. Needs patience and TLC. These ae the kind of questions that you'd get answered if you jouned the NCRS.

Dave Kitch