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Car Forum / Volvo Cars / September 2004Wiper Blade Kit on XC70
Hi All, Yesterday I had my 2002 Volvo XC70 serviced. I was advised that I would need a new wiper blade kit. No problems I thought as this should only be a $20AU expense at most. I was advised that Volvo does not just replace the rubber but the whole wiper arm assembly on both wipers. This then means that you get charged $96AU. I am sorry, but this appears to be a ridiculous expense to change over two strips of rubber (essentially). Not to mention a waste of materials, which is strange coming from a company that prides itself on being so green and eco-friendly. Is this the same deal for XC's elsewhere in the world ? Does anyone know of ANY other car manufacturers that have this bizarre policy ? Look forward to hearing your responses. Regards, ...Ian... Are you referring to the headlight wipers? If not why don't you goto the Australian equivalent of Canadian Tire and replace the windshield wipers yourself? It's great to go to dealers for major service but the little things you can do by yourself. The last time I replaced the wipers it cost me $15 CDN. Jordan 1999 S70 Loaded!  Signature___________________________________________________________ "That's 10 times I've explained binary to you. I won't tell you a 3rd time!" > Hi All, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > ...Ian... "Ian F @iinet.net.au>" <mrian<remove> wrote > > Yesterday I had my 2002 Volvo XC70 serviced. I was advised that I would > > need a new wiper blade kit. No problems I thought as this should be a > > $20AU expense at most. I was advised that Volvo does not just replace the > > rubber but the whole wiper arm assembly on both wipers. This then means > > that you get charged $96AU. The stock wipers on my 2001 XC70 were one piece. I had the option to replace with the same kind of one piece arms from Volvo, or going to a mass market car parts place where they sold me a two piece arm with replaceable wipers. I elected to get the new arm with replaceable wipers. This was much cheaper than the Volvo arms. Now you ask why doesn't Volvo do this in the first place. Well, there are at least 6 different standards for replaceable wipers and Volvo would have to pick one brand which may not be available in a particular customer's area. So they have the one they stock and you are welcome to get any of the many others you want. The replacement arms are cheap since they make their money on the wiper refills. SignaturePardon my spam deterrent; send email to rhodyman@earthlink.net Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA, USA Owned '67,'68,'71,'74,'79,'81,'87,'93,'95 & '02 Volvos. The '67,'74,'79,'87,'95 and '02 through European Delivery. http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/volvo.html It's not just your new Volvo that's like this... My 93 960 you replace the whole thing, my VW's are the same way (91 Golf - sold, 99 Golf, 2003 Golf)... Except it costs like $25 not $90 > Hi All, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > ...Ian... Are we talking about the wiper blade (just the rubber) or are we talking about the wiper head (the rubber and metal) that snaps onto the wiper arm? Surely Volvo doesn't make you replace the entire wiper arm? In my experience it's the metal part of the wiper head that fails most frequently. What with snow, ice and salt on it for many months of the year I wouldn't want to just replace the rubber bits. I would want to replace the entire head. Actually the rubber can be revitalized many times with rubbing alcohol. Jordan 1999 S70 Loaded and ready for Fall! Signature___________________________________________________________ "That's 10 times I've explained binary to you. I won't tell you a 3rd time!" > It's not just your new Volvo that's like this... My 93 960 you replace the > whole thing, my VW's are the same way (91 Golf - sold, 99 Golf, 2003 [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > > > ...Ian... I'm talking the metal blade with all those spring loaded things that hold the track that holds the rubber piece, and usually an air deflector for the drivers side blade. Not talking about the bit with the hook at the end that bolts into the wiper motor. > Are we talking about the wiper blade (just the rubber) or are we talking > about the wiper head (the rubber and metal) that snaps onto the wiper arm? [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> > >> > ...Ian... Hi, Ian - - - FWIW, I'd advise a visit to your nearest supplier of Bosch wipers and refills. Bosch is most likely the manufacturer of the OEM equipment on your Volvo. While their price in the U.S. (for instance) is a bit above average, it's still a *long* way below what Volvo charges, and all you need to get is the refill set. bob noble Reno, NV, USA Hi Ian Same thing with my V70. The service guys ring me to say "we need to replace the wipers" and I say OK. I can buy them at Marlows or wherever for about $10 a set, so I guess that I'll be charged $20 to $25 for genuine Volvo parts. When the bill came in, it was $65 ! Now I take nothing for granted - ask them to guarantee the price and demand that they keep the old parts so that I can examine them. On the same topic, I was shopping for cross bars for the roof rack. Thule make a kit with the aerodynamic bars for $189. Volvo supply square bars for $189, and the aerodynamic bars are $289. They look suspiciously like the Thule bars. When I asked the parts guy at my dealer, he admitted that Thule make the bars for Volvo and Volvo re-badge them and charge an extra $100. At last, some straight talk. Chris Ian F > Hi All, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > ...Ian... |
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