Why doesn't anybody make aftermarket wiper arms?

[slacktide_bitog]

The springs got weak, and Subaru doesn't sell the wiper arms anymore!

I tried buying Chinese springs on eBay, but they were too big and didn't fit! So I had to put the old spring back on, which itself took a hell of a time, and now the spring has no tension in it at all

I only tried the rear wiper and didn't touch the front one, though I did buy 3 springs. I have to buy a new rear wiper arm, at a cost of $50 for a used one

Are there any universal/aftermarket wiper arms? Trico claims to make 5 million wiper arms a year, but apparently zero for the aftermarket. Even Amazon and Alibaba/Aliexpress came up short.

 

[samiamz]

Not sure, but would the salvage yard be an option here, maybe?

 

[CKN]

The Subaru forums say penetrating oil or the junkyard is your best bet.

 

[dogememe]

Dorman makes them for plenty of applications.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Go to Discount Tire they will replace them for a fairly reasonable cost. My Honda Civic has the replaceable rubber inserts and it is very inexpensive to replace them. I do know that DT will help you out without an extreme cost and they will install them for you too.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Dorman makes them for plenty of applications.

Just too bad they don't make them for older Subarus

 

[Number_35]

The rear one on Jr's Kia van died. I transplanted a used one from a Dodge Grand Caravan. C$5, tax included. Yay for my favourite wrecker.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I gave up on fleabay hardware.

Measure the existing spring, take a guess at the spring rate, and order a couple of the correct size from McMaster. No affiliation, they have just saved me more times than I can count.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Kira]

What year Subaru?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What year Subaru?

98, but the Forester is the same to 2002

 

[Trav]

They have brand new from the dealer.

Rear

1999-2002 Subaru Forester Wiper Arm 86532FC051 | Subaru Parts Store

1999-2002 Subaru Forester part # 86532FC051 - Wiper Arm

www.subaruparts.com

Front left..

1998-2002 Subaru Forester Wiper Arm 86532FC070 | Subaru Parts Store

1998-2002 Subaru Forester part # 86532FC070 - Wiper Arm

www.subaruparts.com

The right side looks discontinued but the part# is 86532FC030

 

[slacktide_bitog]

They have brand new from the dealer.

Rear

1999-2002 Subaru Forester Wiper Arm 86532FC051 | Subaru Parts Store

1999-2002 Subaru Forester part # 86532FC051 - Wiper Arm

www.subaruparts.com

Front left..

1998-2002 Subaru Forester Wiper Arm 86532FC070 | Subaru Parts Store

1998-2002 Subaru Forester part # 86532FC070 - Wiper Arm

www.subaruparts.com

The right side looks discontinued but the part# is 86532FC030

I honestly didn't know the 99-02 had a different rear wiper arm than the 98! It should fit, though

The 98 rear wiper arm is -050 and isn't listed as superseded by -051

 

[paulo57509]

See if any of these will work:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search/replacement-parts/wipers-and-windshield-products/wiper-arms/wiper-arm/201586196

 

[KGMtech]

I was involved when our stamping company was considering quoting to supply these OEM wiper arms to Valeo. The biggest obstacle for these parts is that they are considered a "show surface" so the manufacturer has to have special part protection systems in place to prevent scratches into the metal surface before and after stamping, and also before and after painting.

Lots of companies walk away from this class of part supply because of the extreme cost of delivering visually perfect parts. Show surfaces are anything the car owner can see or touch without having to get into awkward positions. They are usually 3x more expensive to produce with all the extra production protection needed and extensive QC costs.

Dorman has entered the business after OEM's cease to provide.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I was involved when our stamping company was considering quoting to supply these OEM wiper arms to Valeo. The biggest obstacle for these parts is that they are considered a "show surface" so the manufacturer has to have special part protection systems in place to prevent scratches into the metal surface before and after stamping, and also before and after painting.

Lots of companies walk away from this class of part supply because of the extreme cost of delivering visually perfect parts. Show surfaces are anything the car owner can see or touch without having to get into awkward positions. They are usually 3x more expensive to produce with all the extra production protection needed and extensive QC costs.

Dorman has entered the business after OEM's cease to provide.

It's just too bad the OE suppliers (Valeo, Bosch, Denso, etc) don't sell aftermarket wiper arms