Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

[Richard G.]

I sometimes think I should be thankful the parts can be had at all.
But when it comes to the install I want to, well let me say I just want to;

Here is the latest example. Reproduction wiper blades. They are not that expensive in the world of old Corvettes.
However they don't want to slide in the holder. It became obvious the stamped loops are slightly too deep and too wide.
I got one blade half way installed in 10 minutes. The top of the loop hits the inside of the "U" shaped blade and the sides do not clear the crimped edges well.
Pictures should explain the issue. It doesn't help that more than one loop hits the ends of the holder at the same position. So you get to work on more than one loop never knowing which exact one is holding up the progress. If I flatten the loop the edges will get worse. My guess is GM did it it two seconds or less. Its a PITA that may take an 1/2 hour.






Now back to work.
Rick

[Gene M.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

Rick, my suggestion is to make a little tool to press the loops of the reproduction blades so they fit the original holders. A 1/8” thick piece of steel notched out to clear the loop form but compress the lower portion. A couple hammer taps with it in the vise should get you a satisfactory slip in fit.

[Russ S.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

My guess is they are metric and that's why so many situations with poor fit.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

My guess is they are metric and that's why so many situations with poor fit.

My guess is that whoever has them made did a crappy job with their specs, and it has nothing to do with the form that those spec did - or more likely did not - take.

Garbage in, garbage out.

[Don H.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

I feel for you man, but more importantly, where did you find repro rubbers (15"?) with polka dots, and patent nos.?

[Joe L.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

My guess is that whoever has them made did a crappy job with their specs, and it has nothing to do with the form that those spec did - or more likely did not - take.

Garbage in, garbage out.

Patrick-------


I've said this many times before: when someone is manufacturing VERY LOW VOLUME reproduction parts, using expensive tooling (i.e. like that used for PRODUCTION and OEM SERVICE parts) is not an economically viable proposition. Inferior tooling = inferior parts.

[Richard G.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

The
The repro rubbers (15"?) with polka dots, and patent nos Came from a eBay seller. They were purchased with some other parts. He listed them as repops and with the fit issues I am confident they are. I have written him to see if he will share the sourcing. Google didn't turn up anything quick or obvious. If I had an old stainless blade carrier it would be easy enough to switch the rubbers over to an OEM carrier.
Pictured a closeup of the blade below;

[Joe L.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

The
The repro rubbers (15"?) with polka dots, and patent nos Came from a eBay seller. They were purchased with some other parts. He listed them as repops and with the fit issues I am confident they are. I have written him to see if he will share the sourcing. Google didn't turn up anything quick or obvious. If I had an old stainless blade carrier it would be easy enough to switch the rubbers over to an OEM carrier.
Pictured a closeup of the blade below;

Richard------

I have a feeling that the manufacturing source of these blades may be hard to track down. That's because they are probably not authorized to emboss the various numbers on the blades.

[John F.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

Have you tried heating them up a little with a hair dryer or use soapy water to slide easier?

[Richard G.]

Re: Tired of Repros or Should be simple, but isn't.

John.
They are hitting on the stainless holder not the rubbers.
I plan on attempting to re-crimp them and try again.