I bought my 2002 S40 about a month ago, and the windshield was brand new as it had been smashed by vandalism just before I picked it up, so the dealer put in a new windshield. The wipers were loud so I bought brand new premium wipers - Rain-X Latitude, which is supposed to be good for snow and ice, which I need. But I've had the wipers on for a week now and they're driving me nuts, they're so loud and squeaky. It's been rainy a lot this week so I've had a good amount of time listening to them working. Every now and then they are silent for a little bit, then all of a sudden they are super loud again - not even the radio drowns them out. I think it sounds like it's actually just the driver's side that is squeaking.

Otherwise they are working great, and they seem to be making perfect contact with the windshield. I'm wondering, is there any known issue with this car having a squeaky driver's side arm? I noticed the base of the arm is designed to literally touch the hood of the car. I suppose I could just have a bad blade, but the reason I got rid of the blades that came with the car is because they were squeaking. Now the new ones are too. Anybody have any input on this?

 

Usually when the wipers are dry and have no water to lubricate the blades. It also could be that the rubber blade is folded over.

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i shared that which i know

 

As I indicated though it happens during heavy rainfall and drizzle, it doesn't matter if the windshield is wet or dry. And yet it's been quiet on a dry windshield once when I tried it to test it. And the blade is not folded over. Does anybody else have this issue, or is it likely to be a bad blade? It seems a coincidence that my last blade was squeaking like crazy, and this brand new premium blade is also.

 

Swing by Walmart and pick up some Prestone De-Icer Washer Fluid. Awesome stuff, will fix your problem.

 

Common 1st generation S40 problem.
What happens is that over time the wiper arms weaken and bend and do not apply as much force to the windshield. The blade also may not sit flat on the windshield, so it doesn't "flip" sides when the wipers switch directions.

I had the same problem. I had to buy new wiper arms. I could not bend the old ones back to stop the noise.

I use the same wipers and they are noise free with the new wiper arms.

Good luck!

 

Yup, this is what I was thinking might be going on - something with the arm causing the noise. The blade appears to hold snug against the windshield - they have quite a curve to them and seem to hold tight against the windshield. It also cleans streak-free. But that noise - it's unbearable for any length of time.

How expensive is a new arm if I take it in to get serviced?

 

Never have had any luck with rainx latitudes...in fact had the same bad luck. Next time go with the trico neoforms (wipers123 online). They have teflon to smooth them out.

 

I use rainx invisible to treat the window I dont have to use the wipers at all but I did bend the arm and it worked just fine.

 

Still not sure what to do here. Pepboys, where I bought the wipers, told me to treat the windshield with rainx, but it's too cold here now and I can't do it until spring since it needs to be above 40. I called a volvo dealer and found out a new driver's side arm would cost around $55. Not bad. What would the labor be for something like that? It can't be that expensive can it? Shouldn't it only take a few minutes to put on, or is it more work than it looks?

Pepboys said he could try bending the arm a bit, but it may not help and might make it worse. He said he could also try other wipers, but I've tried 3 brands, and none have worked.