Allegro Club International

Andrew Smyth · Joined: 25 Jan 2013 Posts: 61 Location: Belfast

Most websites I have tried (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261171867864?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619 ) suggest that the wiperblades on an S1 saloon should be 11".

I've measured, and mine are 14". What should I be replacing my current blades with & and any recommendations where I should get them from?

J Dawson · Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:10 pm Post subject:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390423499815?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

or the Club do a nice Tex pair but they are more expensive.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

Andrew Smyth · Joined: 25 Jan 2013 Posts: 61 Location: Belfast

Perfect, thanks!

Colin T · Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 1282 Location: N.E. Hampshire

Any recommendations for the best to fit to a Series 3 (black arms) in terms of:

a) wiping performance

and

b) durability?

Thanks, Colin.
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Hell has frozen over...... the car formally known as 'Heap' is back on the road!

J Dawson · Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:08 pm Post subject:

Colin - surprisingly Halfords still stock the correct size Allegro wiper blades, in black. Before I got hold of some stainless blades, these worked a treat in all conditions and lasted for as long as I can remember.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

Laurence · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 1408 Location: Plymouth

I have recently fitted new 14'' wiper blades to my S3 VP & have noticed how it's a struggle to wipe/move on a fairly dry windscreen so I will swap them for 11'' blades soon.
I had similar problems on an S3 Allegro driving into gale force winds a few years ago until I fitted 11" blades.
Also, the LH blade fouls the screen rubber at its lower edge. I realise that the blade sweep is too much but shorter blades will stop it fouling the screen rubber

J Dawson · Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:31 pm Post subject:

The Halfords were the smaller size blades, I should have said instead of the 'correct size'.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

Laurence · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 1408 Location: Plymouth

I think the problems caused by using 14" wiper blades on our Allegros stems from the fact that the wiper motor & mechanism was originally designed for use in the Mini that had 10" blades originally (latterly 11" blades) & the MGB that had 11" blades & no doubt, shorter wiper arms.

J Dawson · Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:45 pm Post subject:

Is that so? If I could get stainless 11" blades for the Allegro I would undoubtedly use them... and yet I have never given it any thought... stainless steel finish blades for the cars you mention Laurence are readily available. It would just be a case of finding ones which fit the arm.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

Laurence · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 1408 Location: Plymouth

TEX Automotive 7.2mm bayonet/notched blade B14311 is stainless 11" blade, there is also hand polished option.
Make enquiry though, just to make sure the blade above is what you want.

J Dawson · Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks Laurence. Smile

_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

Colin T · Joined: 13 May 2007 Posts: 1282 Location: N.E. Hampshire

Hmm I'm not sure about Halfords wiper blades - I fitted a rear one in 2009/10ish and it'd completely had it by last year, rubber split most the way along.

Considering the usage a rear one gets in comparison to the fronts (which are older and the rubber hasn't actually split but is turned over at the ends and the flexible metal has distorted so the blade doesn't touch all the screen when wiping) I don't think it has lasted at all well.

Was this a reasonable amount of time to last?
Or was it just a bad batch?
_________________
Hell has frozen over...... the car formally known as 'Heap' is back on the road!

J Dawson · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject:

Perhaps it was a bad batch. But 3 years' service isn't bad, considering it is recommended to replace them each year.
_________________
Austin - you can DEPEND on it!

1976 Allegro 1100 4-dr saloon

Squeak, rattle & roll

Laurence · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 1408 Location: Plymouth

I agree that the wiper blades should be changed quite often, maybe once or twice a year.
The blades split through lack of use sometimes, they quite often unknowingly stick to the screen due to dirt, ice, tree-sap etc. when the car is parked unused outdoors, then when the wipers are used for the first time for a while the blade being stuck to the screen breaks/splits.