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SUVs Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe 2007 and newer Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon
3125 messages, Last post on Nov 27, 2009 at 6:32 PM
You are in the Chevrolet Suburban & Tahoe Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: 4speed1 (Feb 19, 2007 7:38 pm) |
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Replying to: junglegeorge (Feb 20, 2007 4:41 am) I am looking to see how wide spread this issue is, and make you aware of a potential windshield wiper availability and performance issue. I have seen several previous posts on this site and others. If we get enough responses, I am confident the host will move us to a separate discussion topic. I live in up-state NY and we have just had our first true winter weather this year with 2+ feet of snow. Unfortunately, the wiper blades supplied on my 2007 LTZ Tahoe did not perform as expected. They iced up very quickly, and this prevented them from contacting the windshield properly. Additionally the passenger side has fallen off twice to date, (I found it the first time, was not so lucky the second time) I contributed this to the excess weight if the ice buildup, and the momentum of the swing blade. GM is using this newly designed 1 piece blade, with a new mounting mechanism, which is manufactured solely by Valeo, on all of the GMT-900 trucks. This new design utilizes a completely different mounting system that is not compatible with any other system. Neither aftermarket blades nor refills are compatible with this new design. When I went looking for a replacement blade, I found them to be non-existent. I checked the parts department at four separate Chevy dealers, none had these blades in stock, and all were surprised to find a redesigned mount. An extensive internet search reviled that “TIRE RACK” carries the Valeo on-line blade for $29.99 each; this is the same price that all four dealers quoted. I found this to be much more expensive than a premium aftermarket winter blade that cost $5.99 for my 04 Tahoe. I called the Valeo R&D center in Auburn Hills MI and discussed the issue with a Valeo representative who was very interested in my feedback. He stated that these blades are tested to perform in winter conditions, and was surprise to here that I had lost a blade twice. He confirmed that No winter blades are available, and that there are no plans to design any. He stated that my call was the only comment he has received regarding the new design, therefore I would encourage you to speak up on this issue if appropriate. Calls to several aftermarket manufactures confirmed this and also revealed a patent issue that currently prevents after marketers them from manufacturing a replacement. I strongly suggest that for the time being, that you face the situation, and purchase a spare blade set to keep them in the vehicle, as they are not yet readily available. I found my self-driving in the worst conditions with only one blade. Contact info for Valeo: VALEO Electrical Systems, Inc. Wiper Systems Division 3000 University Drive MI 48326-2356 Auburn Hills (United States) tel: (1) 2483403000 fax: (1) 2483403106 Thanks, George |
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Replying to: junglegeorge (Feb 20, 2007 6:32 am) |
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Replying to: junglegeorge (Feb 20, 2007 6:32 am) ____________________________________________________________ It is getting pretty bad when GM goes to outside vendors to get wiper blades that are patented and cannot be made by anyone else without paying a royalty. And you can bet GM is/will be getting a piece of this aftermarket pie too. Pardon my French, but this is really Chicken ..it. I have always been a GM fan but some of their latest tactics have completely turned me off, particularly the fact that you have to replace the entire fuel pump in order to change the fuel filter in my '06 Suburban. It is just another back door way to bleed the consumer.
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Replying to: rockman59 (Feb 20, 2007 7:54 pm)
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Replying to: rsht (Feb 16, 2007 12:24 pm) |
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Replying to: junglegeorge (Feb 21, 2007 2:20 am) ____________________________________________________________ My last Suburban was a '92 that I bought in '92 and drove for 14 years until getting the '06 last June. I have always taken care of my vehicles and driven them for years. Not any more. I thing you are right....drive 'em and dump 'em, certainly before 100K miles when all those non-repairable parts will be wearing out. |
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Replying to: steve_ (Oct 16, 2006 12:51 pm)
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Replying to: jonrumm (Feb 21, 2007 10:21 pm) "7th time", I take that as in replaced your battery 3 times and only recharged the battery during 4 other visits? |
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Replying to: jonrumm (Feb 21, 2007 10:21 pm) |
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