left and right windshield wiper questions...

[Roadster Guy]

Last week when I had the oil changed on my 96 I had them replace my wipers with new GM OEM wipers we had ordered in from the dealer. The two packs showed a left and a right wiper. But, I think the guy may have got the car sides reversed. I tested the wipers and they work fine and seem to sit ok. I switched them and they seemed to look ok that way, but I did not try them and then switched them back.

So I was just wondering, how could a guy tell which is the right and which is the left wiper as I don't see any markings on them indicating that and the packaging is long gone. Or do they sit or face a certain way. Does it have anything to do with how the rubber sweeps the water or how they rest when not in use? I always thought the drivers side was the left side, but, I think he put the right side one on the driver side and I can't seem to see any obvious difference between the two wiper blades.
RG

 

[douglas foster]

father & son

Just want to let you know, the wiper blades are universial if they are both the same length. There is no right side or left side, just install them. later on swap sides to increase wiper life, Kind of like rotating tires.

 

[Roadster Guy]

Sounds reasonable to me.

When we ordered from GM parts they said we had to order a left and a right and then when we got them they were in two packs marked left and right......so I figured that was important. Anyway, I'm pretty sure they are the same length, but will check that.
Thanks for the reply..............tidy engine bay you've got there! I love to look at engine bays.
RG

 

[G Winter]

I used anco replacements. I had a problem with then hitting each other when on high speed. Turned out that you can put those on backwards. The mounting hole isn't on center. Don't know if the OEM are that way.

Glenn

 

[LT4man]

There is definitely a "right hand" and a "left hand" wiper blade.

Different part numbers and constructed differently.

I just replaced them on my 96 CE. You have to compare them side-by-side to see the difference.

They were in the package, so that made it easy for me.

If you want, I can look at mine and tell you which one goes where.

SAVE THE

 

[Roadster Guy]

ok, they are different.........

I looked at them very carefully and just to the right of the release opening on the metal is a tiny "D" on one and a tiny "P" on the other. I assume that indicates driver and passenger sides. And therefore the sides they were installed on appears to be the correct side.

To tell you the truth, I could not notice anything else different between the two wiper blades......length, width, where center slot is, construction etc etc. I assume my D and P interpretation is correct. I would be curious to know what the other differences are.

Thanks for all the input everyone and offers of additional help.
RG

 

[KOPBET]

... and I can't seem to see any obvious difference between the two wiper blades.

My take, FWIW.

The windshield is fairly flat at the bottom and slightly curved at the top. The wiper arm assemblies have two intermediate arms between the long arm and the four arms that hold the element. One of the intermediate arms is slightly curved and the other is flat, and should be installed to correspond with the curve of the upper windshield area. But that's just my observation and opinion.

 

[Roadster Guy]

My take, FWIW.

The windshield is fairly flat at the bottom and slightly curved at the top. The wiper arm assemblies have two intermediate arms between the long arm and the four arms that hold the element. One of the intermediate arms is slightly curved and the other is flat, and should be installed to correspond with the curve of the upper windshield area. But that's just my observation and opinion.

Wow. I never thought about that. But it makes perfect sense. Your description is very clear. I went out to the car just now and checked. I think I could see a minor difference in the intermediate arms with one very slightly curved. And they appear to be on correctly. The curve then would keep the wiper in contact with the windshield at the top of the sweep where the windshield curves.

Thing is, it is a minor curve. I don't think most car wipers come in lefts and rights....just pairs. Are the Vette's wipers like that for efficiency to handle water better at speeds? Anyway, thanks for this info. I suspect if you know that much about wipers, then you know quite a bit about cars!
RG

 

[KOPBET]

I don't think most car wipers come in lefts and rights....just pairs.

Don't know how many other cars do, but even my daughter's '94 Camry has L & R wipers.

As far as the Vette goes, it's just a observation about the construction. I don't claim the above as fact, but it does seem logical to me.

I have a L & R pair on order for my C4. Time to replace mine too.

 

[Roadster Guy]

KOPBET: This wiper thread has been a bit of a learning curve for me. I never paid much attention to them really. But what you say is logical. By the way, if you don't mind let me know when you get your new ones if there is a very tiny "D" and a "P" on them to the right of the release slot and if that does correspond to driver and passenger side or left and right as the packs are marked.
Thanks,
RG

 

[KOPBET]

KOPBET: This wiper thread has been a bit of a learning curve for me. I never paid much attention to them really. But what you say is logical. By the way, if you don't mind let me know when you get your new ones if there is a very tiny "D" and a "P" on them to the right of the release slot and if that does correspond to driver and passenger side or left and right as the packs are marked.
Thanks,
RG

Will do!

 

[KOPBET]

By the way, if you don't mind let me know when you get your new ones if there is a very tiny "D" and a "P" on them to the right of the release slot and if that does correspond to driver and passenger side or left and right as the packs are marked.
Thanks,
RG

Indeed there is corresponence. RH is "P" and LH is "D".

 

[Roadster Guy]

Indeed there is corresponence. RH is "P" and LH is "D".

Ok thanks for getting back to me. So P is pasenger and D is driver....that makes it easy.

Regarding the difference in each wiper assembly and the curve in the windshield.........can you notice the difference in the construction of the left and right wiper? I couldn't really, but maybe I was looking in the wrong place on the wiper. Something has to be different else why the left and right...............is it possible it has anything to do with how they rest in the bottom channel when not in use that makes a left and right wiper necessary? No big deal......I was just wondering.
RG

 

[KOPBET]

These are different than what's on the car. I can not see any discernable difference between the two other than how the element is installed such that the "clip" end would be on the outside of the car and on the bottom side of the arc as opposed to the inside and at the top of the arc. I could only guess why. I'll just put 'em on and go on down the road.

 

[Roadster Guy]

Sounds good to me.
RG