Replacing Volvo Headlight Wipers Using Salvaged Blades

Headlight wipers blades (surprisingly) are a hard-to-find item at most auto stores in the US. They have to be ordered or purchased from a dealer - either way they come at a premium price. This instructable details the process of replacing the headlight wiper blades for a 2001 Volvo V70 using an old "standard sized" wiper blade assembly. Just the same, one could purchase a generic wiper blade assembly (or blade refill) from an auto store and do the job for very cheap.

To remove the wiper blade assembly on a V70, swing out the wiper arm, hold on to the wiper arm and pull back on the blade (from the perspective looking at the wiping tip of the wiper blade).

Step 1 Remove wiper blade from assembly

To remove the blade, take a pair of pliers and slightly bend one side of each retaining clip on the assembly. It should be bent just enough to slide the old blade out. Careful not to damage the clip or bend it too far, the bracket will be reused!

Comments

[sushi2009]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You just saved me $10.00 + shipping. I spent today at a few local parts stores. None had OEM replacements in stock. I then looked on-line. The best price I found was $15.99 + Shipping. Still searching I came across this Instructable. I ran to the local hardware store and purchased a pair of replacement blades (19" each). I removed the old blades. Slipped on the new ones (I had to manipulate the clips to fit the width of the new blade). I cut them to size and put them back on the car. It took less than 15 minutes to do both. Total cost was $5.83 with tax. Plus, I still have two lengths of blades to replace them again when needed. Kudos!

[sleepyd11]

Your idea was great and I have used it to replace a wiper blade on the rear window on a Saturn Vue instead of paying $9 for a new blade. Doug D.

[indivara]

Great idea! Are the original wiper blades crimped on? Windshield wipers are secured by a hole at the end of the blade (at least that is the case in Japanese vehicles I've seen). The end of the clip gets stuck in this hole and keeps the blade from sliding out. I've always wondered about headlamp wipers. Do you really need them? If you do a lot of off-road driving, I suppose the headlamps will get muddy and require cleaning frequently, but for regular roads, they really aren't necessary, are they? I've read somewhere that some European countries require them by law...

[orangefob7]

The blades are crimped on. Truly, they don't do much unless the lights are snow covered. I'd have to think they are handy for the mud with off roading. Honestly, I don't see a need for them on regular cars other than the snow. Thanks for the comment!

[indivara]

Ah! They are needed in heavy snow... didn't think of that, it hardly ever snows where I live.

[Padlock]

Haha. Wipers for the headlights... I've never seen that before...