Well, not to throw water on things, but I have always had vac wipers exactly how you describe in your first post. I have always thought that was normal. This isn't 2014, its 1951. Its why I don't even think about repairing them. I just go with electric ones because no matter how great they work, they wont work as good as electrical ones. [opening umbrella, waiting to get lambasted for my opinion here]
