My passenger side Bosch wiper blade interferes with the windshield trim. Do I have the wrong type blades, or do they make them this way?
Now that I'm replacing them, will anyone recommend other makes?

Erling.
--
1987 240 GL 81K miles

i've always bought blades from Anco for my 740.
--
Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

Thanks for your replies!

I have done a bit of searching since I posted, and found that Bosch actually recommends 17" wipers for my car (http://24.158.21.78/bosch/partfinder.php?mode=b&d=1&make=VOLVO&model=240+Series&year=1993-85). For 1975-85 cars the recommended size is 16". The ones I got are 17,5" and are obviously too long.

I will strongly support Mr. Roll's advice about checking the wiper arms. One of mine definitely needed tightening.

Again thanks,

Erling.
--
1987 240 GL 80K miles

240's are supposed to have 16" blades. I always use the Bosch blades, regular single blades, with great results, and we get lots of slush/rain/ice/salt/crap all the time. If your car didn't come with them, you should install the entire wiper blade; after the first time, you can just buy the inserts (1/4 the price). One of mine came with 17" blades on it, and they didn't seem to hit anything though they did stick over the edge a bit more on the right side of the windshield. The 16" blade is the correct blade for the car. Wagons also need a 13" blade for the rear. (740's take a 20" front wiper, BTW).

All 240 and 740 owners should be aware that wiper arms loosen up very easily. The arm is held to a cone on the shafts by a single 13mm nut, under the black plastic flip-up covers. (If your covers are gone or broken, don't worry about it). The nut can get loose easily, and the arm can rise up JUST A HAIR, and the inside of the arm gets chewed up, and the arm may lock down in a different location- usually the right side arm goes lower than if should, and winds up down on the paint of the cowl, scratching it. Not pretty. Everyone should go outside RIGHT NOW and tighten up their wiper arm nuts 1/2 turn.
If the arm is already misaligned, simply loosen the nut, raise the arm and wiggle it to pop it loose, and reposition it, tightening the nut when its done. It should be just above the windshield trim when done.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 808K total

Bosch doesn't know which size blade you should use even when asked - there have been at least two different recommendations for Twin blade kits were the longer style simply won't fit. On my car it only worked on the passenger side. The shorter style blade kit (with driver's side spoiler) worked on both sides. Passenger and driver's side blades were of equal length in both kits.

You should check your wiper arms first, though. From the redesign to nut style mounting (1981-) they are of different length and marked RH/LH respectively (for right/left). Look for a stamp under the arms. They could have been swapped or incorrectly replaced.

Bosch also uses a strange start date, like 1987 or something, for their recommendations. I haven't noticed any changes between 1981 and 1993 although the new style windshield trim (1991-) will accept slightly longer blades. Maybe the arm length was changed at some point, I don't know. My wiper arms are from an '88 240.

Please note that this referrs to swedish/european conditions, things - as usual - could be different in the US.

/Martin
--
'65 121, '73 165

M-
You are right about the arm lengths for US cars. How about buying a set of 15" and 16" and using one of each or some such plan.