Can I replace 2007 DTS Windshield Blade Refill ONLY?

[ptaker]

So I spent 25 minutes with Cadillac customer support in India getting nowhere. I am trying to find out if the rubber refill on with windshield wipercan be replaced on the 2007 Cadillac DTS. Not the metal arm with the rubber refill, but only the rubber refill that touches the windshield.

The dealer says NO. The manual says you can. The local Pep Boys do not have the rubber blades nor the rubber refills. The dealer says the part does NOT exist. He says that the rubber is glued to the metal support under it. Bend the metal support and you destroyed the wiper. It won't work.

Cadillac support said they have to get my zip code so they can verify the information with the dealer. I said if you call my dealer you will get the same answer I did. The India support said they have to follow the rules.

Does some kind soul know the answer. The dealer will sell the left and right windshield wiper arm with rubber for from 25.00 to 30.00 each. The part numbers are 15931976 and 977. Kind of expensive since the rubber only used to sell in local stores for about 5.00 to 7.00 each.

Thank you for your time.

[Wishbone]

ptaker: Probably too late to do you any good...but today I had the 22,500 mile service performed on my 2007 DTS (Service "B") and my repair order says they replaced wiper inserts. Part numbers 15931977 and 15931976 for a cost of $30.33 and $26.66 respectively. Pretty expensive for wiper inserts!

Wishbone
Arnold, Maryland

[ptaker]

The dealer told me the wiper blades are glued to the wiper metal arms. Therefore you are replacing the entire wiper arm. There is no reason for Cadillac to "screw" the customers by charging him for the entire arm. More money for Cadillac.

[Bob S]

Regarding wiper blades, most people do not realize that if you clean them every time you wash your car they will last for many years. You would be amazed at how much stuff gets on the blades that will clean right off. My wifes 2006 DTS still has the original blades on the car and they are just fine. I beleive the ones on the car are made by Bosch....

[TulsaVic]

Better than that, if when I leave the house in the morning I think it's going to rain, and if it's been several days since the last rain (or washing) I will lift the blades and clean the dust and grit that collects on the windshield under the blades as well as wipe the blades themselves. I've had wiper blades last 4+ years without streaking here in Tulsa, where we get weeks of 100+ days in summer and some 10-15 deg days in winter. By doing that I also know that the first couple of passes of the blade is not smearing grit across the windshield.....