wiper issues (revisited)

[bennett]

Recently, my wipers have decided to only make a pass or two at a time before stopping in various places in the windshield. If i turn them off and then back on, they usually complete their journey and come to rest in the appropriate place. I've seen lots of posts on the board about wipers not parking correctly and / or the intermittent wipers not working at all, but mine just seem to be lazy. Has anyone else had this happen? I plan to replace the motor and park switch, but before i take the entire dash apart, i thought i would ask.

Thanks

[cgalpin]

Check the point where the wiper arm mounts to the drive arm. Your symptoms sound like the little retaining bolt (retaining allen head) is loose. You may have to first pull the arm to see the little round splined piece that has the retaining bolt. To remove the arm you should be able to lift the arm to remove the pressure on the splines and pull straight off.

hth
charles

[bennett]

thank you charles, ill try that

[cgalpin]

I should have mentioned that to test this, just try move the wiper arm before doing anything else. It should hardly move if ok, but if it is loose you'll know right way.

[bennett]

finally got around to this. I don't see where the retaining bolt is. I see a hex where the drive arm attaches to the car. THe entire drive arm is a bit loose.

[cgalpin]

Here is the piece I am talking about. Hope the picture is clear enough

[bennett]

Thank you Charles. Ill take a look at it tonight. I realized that the wipers werent parking either, so im replacing the switch, but i might as well replace those pieces while im at it. Where did you get that one?

[cgalpin]

I think RN, but any of the parts guys should carry it.

[jefhuf]

RN has them for about $12 each

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-6598-splined-drum-wiper-arm-.aspx

[discotdi]

RDS has them for $5

[130Tdi]

Recently, my wipers have decided to only make a pass or two at a time before stopping in various places in the windshield. If i turn them off and then back on, they usually complete their journey and come to rest in the appropriate place. I've seen lots of posts on the board about wipers not parking correctly and / or the intermittent wipers not working at all, but mine just seem to be lazy. Has anyone else had this happen? I plan to replace the motor and park switch, but before i take the entire dash apart, i thought i would ask.

Thanks

Your problem sounds more like a wiper motor on its way out than a slipping drive flange on the wiper wheel box's.
No need to take the "whole dash apart"
Just the padded wiper cover above your left knee and possibly loosten the instrument pod. Park switch is built into the motor.

[1of40]

Doug, on my 90 the driver side wipes perfectly fine. The passenger side seems weak and unable to do the job when the wiper arm is in place. It sort of slips. I thought it was a bead drive flange at first. I replaced the drive flange and it still "slips" under load, otherwise I can see the flange turn in sync when the arm is off. What do you think I've got here?

[130Tdi]

Doug, on my 90 the driver side wipes perfectly fine. The passenger side seems weak and unable to do the job when the wiper arm is in place. It sort of slips. I thought it was a bead drive flange at first. I replaced the drive flange and it still "slips" under load, otherwise I can see the flange turn in sync when the arm is off. What do you think I've got here?

Clay,
Behind the dash (remove top pad ) are the wheel boxes that are driven by a cable/worm gear. There is a bendable tab in the middle of these box's that you are meant to tweak inward when the gear starts slipping as you indicate. Bending the tab pushes the cable into closer contact with the drive gear. This adjustment is detailed nicely in the factory workshop manuals.