Does anyone have suggestions on replacement wipers? I tried buying a pair of blades at the local auto store, but unfortunately, even though I bought universtial fit blades, they didn't fit properly.

While messing around with them I also noted the passenger side blade is curved and the drivers side has a small wing\spoiler. I'm guessing these are factory blades and that replacing them would be pretty pricey.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to replace the wipers without spending a small fortune? Can I just replace the rubber part with a refill?

 

Depends where you live, if you happen to live near an advance auto you can buy the Bosch Icon blades on sale from their website, and use a 35% coupon on top of that and then pick up at store.. Use the coupon code BIG15, its $15 off $40 and add it to the already $10
Excellent blades which are worth the cost (if you get them on sale)..

If you are looking to save $$, the Michelin Rainforce or whatever they are called are about $7 or 8 each at walmart and will do the job, but without the frameless design of the bosch

 

Take a look at the trico neoform beam blades. I actually switched from icons to neoforms quite a while back. They're super quiet and smooth - clean well. They're fairly priced.

 

I had a couple of bad experiences with Anco low end wpier blades. At one time they had an all metal frame but now use plastic.
I had snow and ice build up at the bottom of the windshield which caused the plastic to crack and the wiper to fall apart.

 

Yeah, so are the Pylons... If you want basic and inexpensive, the basic tricos are still steel. That said, I still prefer the newer beam blades.

 

Yea, the beam blades wipe so much cleaner.. I have no experience using them in the snow, but the Bosch Icon is easily the best blade I have ever expeienced..

I have also heard that the Valeo blades are excellent.. I know tirerack sells them

 

Don't know much about the valeos but I actually switched from icons to neoforms - mainly because neoforms don't require adapters like icons to fit the newer-style arms, but also because of price. Been happy and saved some coin along the way.