Does anyone know if the wiper blades are handed - as in terms of right and left hand drive?

 

I see listings in a couple of places that distinguish between the two but as far as I can see, the crank on the end of the arms might differ but not the blades themselves.

Certainly on my car, the driver's side is 24" long, but the passenger side only 18".

7 minutes ago, daveo138 said:

Certainly on my car, the driver's side is 24" long, but the passenger side only 18".

That's not what @CityScout is asking. They're asking if the blade part numbers for a right hand drive car are different to a wrong hand drive one.

Yep, I know they are a different size, it's the question of whether RHD, or LHD are different fitting/part number.

1 minute ago, CityScout said:

Yep, I know they are a different size, it's the question of whether RHD, or LHD are different fitting/part number.

I guess it's possible that the LHD drivers & RHD passengers or LHD passengers & RHD drivers are not the same length if the position of the wiper drive shafts are not identically handed.

 

Sorry if that sounds complicated but I'm struggling to find an easier way to explain it!

32 minutes ago, Paws4Thot said:

That's not what @CityScout is asking. They're asking if the blade part numbers for a right hand drive car are different to a wrong hand drive one.

Thanks, I obviously misunderstood the question. 🙋‍♂️ 

4 hours ago, CityScout said:

Does anyone know if the wiper blades are handed - as in terms of right and left hand drive?

 

I see listings in a couple of places that distinguish between the two but as far as I can see, the crank on the end of the arms might differ but not the blades themselves.

 

If I am understanding your question correctly I think you have pretty much answered your own question, albeit with a slight uncertainty.

 

The profile of the rubber on each side is the same ie wipes equally forward sweep and backward sweep.

 

It is the only logic I can think of with you mentioning 'handed'. as assuming the blades would be 'flipped over' if the same rubber was used for both lhd and rhd vehicle's wiper blades.

 

Please enlighten me if I misunderstood your question,  as it is an unusual one. 

 

 

Edited 14 February, 20251 yr by Tilt

1 hour ago, Paws4Thot said:

That's not what @CityScout is asking. They're asking if the blade part numbers for a right hand drive car are different to a wrong hand drive one.

 

^^^^ Are you sure that is what the Op is asking ......... they have stated that they have already seen listings that distinguish between the two.....

So must have seen different part numbers already, I think, logically.

 

4 hours ago, CityScout said:

 

I see listings in a couple of places that distinguish between the two 

 

 

I was trying to discover if one or two vendors actually knew something specific about RHD and LHD vehicles and had different blades available - or if they just didn't know what they were talking about.

 

I begin to suspect the second option but perhaps some kind soul has access to a parts list to set the record straight.  🤙  There were no part numbers involved, just 'LHD' and 'RHD'

Edited 14 February, 20251 yr by CityScout
error

Yes - MK3 Octavia front wipers are handed.

- LHD part number is 5E1 998 001

- RHD part number is 5E2 998 001

 

There are a few other part numbers as it looks like it's been superseded, but the initial 5E1 vs 5E2 means it's different for LHD and RHD.

 

If you want Bosch areotwins that'll be:

- LHD part number A620S or A419S (former is 475mm passenger side, latter is 450mm passenger side)

- RHD part number  A860S (only a 475mm passenger side option)

 

Simple reason is that areowipers have a front facing profile so if the attachment clip isn't in the centre or can't be reversed, it would be backwards...

 

It took longer to write this reply than google for the answer

Thank you.  🙏

 

I can certainly see the need for the RHD/LHD distinction with aero wipers.  Now you point it out the ones on the car have some sort of aero function, with a slightly raised spoiler towards the top edge of the blade and the attachment clip is not symetrical, so they can't be reversed.   Makes sense now.

 

Below is a picture of some cheap ones I tried - which were sadly a bit of a fail and went back.  They looked the part but needed a small mod with a needle file to make them fit - which they did very securely after doing it.  No great drama there but the real spolier (pun intended) was that in their efforts to avoid damage in transit they had protected them well but crammed them into a bag that was much too short.  The result was that they took a 'set', were too bowed and wouldn't make proper contact with the screen in the middle of the blade.  A waste of otherwise decent wipers.

 

 

Other example I've found where buyers have shown pictures of what arrived were more promising - but no mention on being RHD/LHD handed.  That's what sparked the question.

 

Edited 15 February, 20251 yr by CityScout
image in wrong place