FB rx7 wiper arm conversion
 

TLDR: Wiper arms from a 1997 Saturn Sl2 or any S series can be used to convert our wiper blades from the pin style to the much better hook style.

I just wanted to post this in hopes it helps someone else who wants to update their wiper arms, or is missing their wiper arms and doesn't want to dish out $50 on ebay. My car was missing its wiper arms entirely and I'm a cheap bastard so I went looking through the scrap heap to see what I could make work. Alas, the wiper arms from a 1997 Saturn SL2 bolted straight on and work excellent. I know only one is pictured however I can assure you both are currently in use. In case you're in a scrap yard pulling this as you read, I'll let you know that I used the rear wiper blade from 2 2003 subaru foresters on my wipers and they work perfectly. You might get away with something longer but this is just what worked for me. Good luck!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...1e37b38f13.jpg

I'm going to give it a try, thanks.

Nice to know. Good work!

Hmmmm..... GM parts on an FB?

The Rotary Gods will not be pleased [img]data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABYAAAATCAIAAAA bG2rfAAAAXElEQVQ4jc2TwRIAEAhE9/9/OjejYlWYYRwU++weAn5cImofidOg/tSLoxTz4XgIIUiEaBxvgZTvEReCZBGqWbOwRPCmuY3G2VsgICJ OT5AX1xHTOShSinpvBEAD7SoY9trjXq4AAAAASUVORK5CYIIA[/img]

Seriously, good tip! Those original wipers arms are getting hard to find. Especially the plastic caps.

this is exactly what i have been looking for. i hate the pin style wiper arms. now i need to find some of these wiper arms. cheers!

In or on whats the difference? Parts are parts.

if it helps i just measured an original wiper blade and it is 450mm, or 18". once you ditch the pin style wiper, there is a whole universe of blades to choose from

I would like to have the wiper blade setup with just one blade in the center for the whole windshield.

Something like this one:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...8ae8b81635.jpg

Thanks. That was a great find with the Saturn arms.


Only cars that readily come to mind are the original VW Scirocco (good luck finding one) and few of the 1980s-90s Mercedes-Benz.

Second generation Honda Preludes had single wipers and can still be found.

My 85 Suburu XT had the single wiper blade, pretty cool in its day:


But I wouldn't want to retrofit that single wiper motor to an FB, the Rotary Gods would never forgive me.

I'm still using a set of Triple-Edge wiper blades (*circa 1998) which I pulled off of my Black 80LS and put on my 84SE. After all this time, they're still going strong; silicone blade with extra edges on the sides, and they've never worn out, never shown any signs of failure, and still work as well today as when these things were popular on the "As-Seen-On-TV" commercials.

I tried to buy another set for my other vehicles, and the company went out of business. They made them so well that they had no repeat customers...

Back to the OP post. What about the plastic cover that hides the bolt on the stock arms? Can that be moved over on these arms so it looks unmolested?

Zeke, did the splines match exactly, or did you have to force them at all? Also, when in use do the blades stay on the glass and work well, or do they go over the windshield frame anywhere? Any chance of getting a pic with them swept up, to see how much of the windshield gets swept? I love the idea, but worry about wonky fitment or operation.
Thanks!

Subbing. I'd like to know this as well

also subbing. curious about wonky operation.and black caps

The black caps are hard enough to find... but even worse are the rubber boots that cover the shaft under the wiper arm. They age quickly (-10 years) even when the car is garaged, shrink, and get brittle.

I'll have to find a set of these, the passenger one is missing the pin. Unless someone sells just the pins, this may be the better and more resourceful alternative. Anyone have any leads on the wiper mechanism bushings too?

I'd be super interested in this swap as well, so long as the black caps would actually work and cover the nut!

I found a set of 2000 - 02 Saturn SL2 arms but they are too long. Like, 4" longer than stock on driver's side, 6" on passenger's. I would have to use 12" blades to keep them on the glass, so they won't work. I'd like to know if Zeke's '97 arms were a good length.... it looks good at rest, but I want to see it up before I spend any more money on them.

Just cut and weld them, problem solved :biggrin:

Yeah that's another option I thought about. I don't weld but I braze pretty decently, and that would be more than strong enough.

That's what i did. Stainless steal screw. Cheap and you can built it back.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...bdf04d5127.jpg