Freelander 1 Rear wiper issue

I have an issue with the rear wiper. The blade doesn't make very good contact with the glass, actually only about 1/3rd of the blade (lower section) touches the glass.

I thought the blade was knackered, so fitted a new one. But the arm doesn't seem to keep the blade in contact correctly. On a quick couple of looks I can't see anything actually wrong, apart from it not working correctly.

Is this a common issue? Is there an obvious fix I'm not seeing, before I end up removing the spare wheel and start taking it apart a bit for a closer look.

300bhp/ton said:

Is this a common issue? Is there an obvious fix I'm not seeing, before I end up removing the spare wheel and start taking it apart a bit for a closer look

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Yes, it's a common problem. Even if you fit a new OE arm and new OE blade, you'll still get an inch or two at the top which doesn't get wiped by the blade.

ok, has anyone discovered an ingenious fix for it?

300bhp/ton said:

ok, has anyone discovered an ingenious fix for it?

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I don't think so. I just ignore it, as I can't see anything worthwhile out the top of the rear screen anyway. Lots of modern cars don't even have screens as high as the FL1, so it's not like it's a particularly useful bit of glass.

Its not because the rear door is damaged is it? Reversed into something and the spare wheel has dented the back door/put it out of alignment?

Above problem Too on mine but there is excessive play in the Arm Hinge which allows the Arm to twist and lift off the wiper. The door has been damaged by someone too and poorly repaired.Wiper arm is only £9.99 on E bay so cheap to try!

I must be lucky as my rear wiper wipes the full area of the extent of the wiper.
The old one didn't. I can't recall where I got this current rear wiper. I must investigate.

dog-man said:

I must be lucky as my rear wiper wipes the full area of the extent of the wiper.
The old one didn't. I can't recall where I got this current rear wiper. I must investigate.

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Please do @dog-man

I'd love to have a rear wiper clearing the window properly again

OP assuming the door isn't damaged then it is probably an aftermarket blade on the back.

I had the exact same problem recently.

In fact in the rain it wasn't really too much of an issue but when we had this recent snow I could barely see out the back. I emptied the entire washer bottle trying to clear the dried salt on the way back from Plymouth.

Anyway, if you turn the wiper on and watch you will see that the back of the lower end of the blade (the end nearest the spare wheel) hits the inside edge of the arm (where the screen wash tube runs) and prevents it pivoting fully onto the window when it rotates upwards.

OEM blade fixed this for me.

Fritz

kernowsvenski said:

Please do @dog-man

I'd love to have a rear wiper clearing the window properly again

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I can't find any online receipt for the rear wiper I purchased, so it was either Euro Carparts or Halfrauds.
My guess is Halfrauds.

kernowsvenski said:

I'd love to have a rear wiper clearing the window properly again

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EBay is your friend.

I think this is the one I bought

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Freelander-1-OEM-Trico-Rear-Wiper-Blade-AWR4116/320925526597?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Fritz

I had a closer look at this at the weekend. Really can't see anything wrong, other than the angle of the blade. It really was flippin useless, as the only part making contact with the glass, was the bit behind the spare tyre and 3rd brake light.

The blade is new, although a cheapy bought off ebay, so I don't know the brand. The arm looks fine and the spring tension seems more than sufficient. And I could see no damage to the door.

Based on the info posted above, it did appear the blade simply didn't move far enough, to make it flat on the glass. So I remodeled the the blade slightly with a knife to allow it to hinge more.







The blade now sits much flatter against the glass. It's not 100%, but is a massive improvement and is now usable.

Heat gun on arm and give it a tweak changes angle and solved mine.

I noticed on my wiper arm, that the fixing hole on the end of the arm, which goes over the tapered thread/bolt on the back of the door was cracked.
So I'm assuming this is the cause of the problem for me.
Just awaiting a new arm. Hopefully this will solve and I will get a clear wipe.

When I got mine getting on for 5 yrs ago the wiper arm/blade was missing so ordered a after market jobbie & that missed the top of the tailgate window so bit the bullet & got a new genuine one & it's been perfect since (has a new Bosch blade each year). I have the same problem with my D2 at the moment I have adjusted (with heat but it's bubbled the plastic) the after market arm which has helped but I might have to go genuine again.