Replacment Wiper Blades / OEM and aftermarket

Peaty · 02-04-2006, 02:19 PM

Bosch Icon blades are fairly new to the market. They have been available in Europe for several years but have finally made it to the USA. They don't even have them on the US website yet (as of 2-4-06):

http://www.boschusa.com/AutoParts/WiperBlades/

UK link to the blade:

http://www.boschautoparts.co.uk/pcWipe5.asp?c=2&d=1

The first time I saw this style of blade was on my friends VW Passat. The design is nice because there is no exposed metal and there is a small air foil type lip along the whole length of the blade. The blade itself has what I think is a spring steel band inside keeping the tension on the rubber. This makes it so the blade conforms to the windscreen nicely; unlike the traditional blade holders that have a groove and small fingers holding the rubber blade at 4 or 6 spots along its length. The disadvantage is you can't just replace the rubber when it comes time for a new one. The blade and holder are one unit.

The install is simple and just like the normal wiper blade swap here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5894

The only real difference is you will need to open up a small cover and slide the hook on the end though to lock it on. Then just close the hatch. It makes for a nice clean look.

I'll report back as to how they perform after I give them a good work out.

Peaty 2-3-06

Peaty · 02-04-2006, 02:26 PM

Here are some links to other blades I've tried and a few pics of the Icons on my Forester XT. AFAIK all foresters take the same size. However other Subaru's may have different blade lengths check your owners manual or application guide in the store.

PIAA Blades I tired:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375

OEM STi w/ foil retrofit on to F-XT should work for WRX too:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2897

Wiper arm w/ spoiler retrofitted to 97 Outback:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556

Rear Blade change on the F-XT

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4305

Peaty · 05-03-2006, 10:47 AM

Just a follow up now that I've lived with these blades for a little while. It's now the rainy season in Kansas. We get some very good down pours with lots of wind mixed in. The blades continue to impress me so far. Time will tell how they hold up to the very hot and intense KS sun. That tends to kill blades pretty quickly. Even so, to date I have not had any skipping or smearing when I need them which has been often lately. One thing to note, I do keep my windscreen pretty clean. I like to use the Stoner Invisible Glass glass cleaner. That keeps the oil and dirt build-up off the glass. I'm sure this also has something to do with the blades working as well as they do.

Peaty 5-3-06

Peaty · 05-31-2006, 07:37 PM

Update info from BurschiK:

A commentary to you thread 'Bosch Icon': today i buyed a pair of these (here in Austria it s called 'Aerotwin'), Length 550mm and 475mm for my WRX (new age).
Because the 475mm Wiper was a bit too long I disassembled the wiper and shorten it. You can pull the cap on the end of the wiper an slide out the wiper lip. As I have seen today this lip is also available as spare part (not from Bosch) which is half price of new Bosch Icon.
Fotos are here:

http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(05).jpg
http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(07).jpg
http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(06).jpg
http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(10).jpg
http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(08).jpg
http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(17).jpg
http://members.inode.at/r.kovac/subee/Aerotwin/Foto(18).jpg

Greetings from Austria, Vienna,
Robert

Peaty · 05-31-2006, 07:38 PM

two more pics

snowjoe11 · 01-06-2007, 04:46 AM

These blades rock! They clean the windshield great. No skittering! I have them on my Forester and my wife's OB.

Peaty · 04-27-2008, 08:05 PM

Wiper Blade replacement on the Tribeca:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8727

At that link.

Peaty · 04-27-2008, 08:22 PM

Just got some new blades for my Forester I wanted to check out. It seems these are OEM on the 2009 Forester (and maybe others) that have an articulated - aero design. I really can't say anything bad about the Bosch Icons I've been using but these new ones are much nicer looking IMHO. It takes all of 10 minutes to install them. The PN's I have say Universal on the sticker so I.m guessing if you have the hook type wiper arm end and these are the same size as you currently have they will work for you too.

I got them from Ben:

Ben Sabelhaus (AKA HondaSlayer)
www.HodgesSubaru.com
Performance@HodgesSubaru
248-547-8800
877-0547-8353

(Takes Subaru Bucks call them for details)

He's the first one to offer them up that I know of, good place for parts. Mine shipped right away.

You don't need any tools to install these:

Right Side (Passenger LHD): 86542SC160 (18in / 45cm end to end for the blade holder assembly)

Left Side (Drivers LHD): 86542SC110 (23 7/8 in / 60cm end to end for the blade holder assembly)

Installation is simple - unhook the current blades and slide these on the hook till it stops, then click the latch closed. I have some pics but it is pretty simple. If you go to this page here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2897

There are blade assembly removal instructions.

Below are some shots of the blades, installing and on the car.

Peaty · 04-27-2008, 08:25 PM

Some install shots

Peaty · 04-27-2008, 08:27 PM

on the car

Peaty · 06-11-2008, 10:16 AM

Quick update on the newer OEM Subaru aero wipers. Ben, over at Hodges Subaru was nice enough to test fit the Forester set above on a Bugeye WRX, it seems they will not fit but the STi ones will. He's provided PN's

From Ben:

I got around to fitting a set on a bugeye, no go for the Forester wipers, however the 08 STI wipers (same style) do fit (drivers side is longer, passenger side shorter)

Part #'s are 86542FG160 and 86542FG110

---------------

Thanks Ben...

subedude · 06-12-2008, 04:24 PM

I use the Bosch blades and think they are well worth the money!!
Subedude

01-06-2007, 04:46 AM	#6
snowjoe11 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Delaware Valley - NJ/PA Posts: 32 Threads: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Great Blades These blades rock! They clean the windshield great. No skittering! I have them on my Forester and my wife's OB.

06-12-2008, 04:24 PM	#12
subedude Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bullhead City, Arizona Posts: 2,225 Threads: 41 Thanks: 135 Thanked 104 Times in 78 Posts Groans: 2 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts Award-Showcase Awards Showcase Total Awards: 6 Total Points: 0	Wiperblades?? I use the Bosch blades and think they are well worth the money!! Subedude

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