Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 21:44:36 -0800
Reply-To: "Sean B." <vgonman@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Sean B." <vgonman@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Left Passenger Wiper Failed after snow and ice build up,
need some feedback on how to fix this please.
In-Reply-To: <2DBB7CD7-0151-4A71-8F5B-3D1F65F0012E@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
The wiper arms are made to strip like that in situations just like you
described. What you need to do is pull off that passenger side wiper arm
(it's either a 10mm or 13mm nut). Once the arm is off, you will see
splines (or teeth) on the shaft that is part of the van. You need to
clean out those splines. I use a dental pick type tool to clean the
little slivers of metal out of the shaft splines. Once the shaft splines
are clean, re-attach the wiper arm. The part of the arm that connects to
the shaft is made of a soft metal so that when you torque down the wiper
arm nut, it will bite into and grab the wiper arm. It should then work
fine until it freezes again :)
The reason VW did this is because it's easier and cheaper to do the
above (or to replace the wiper arm after cleaning the shaft if it no
longer grabs), than to have to rip the dash out to replace a burned out
wiper motor.
Robert Stewart wrote:
> So after a the first snowfall and freezing temperatures it appears I
> may have damaged or broken my passenger wiper.
>
> Need your input.
>
> I removed the snow and ice from the front window but it may have left
> some residual snow which may have melted and re-iced up around the
> passenger side wiper. I noticed some moisture on the outside of the
> window when I went to drive the van tonight and I turned on the wiper
> not realizing it was actually frozen water droplets. But it was too
> late.
>
> Well the wiper went on and only the drivers side moved, I thought I
> heard a pop or something out of the norm and the passenger side wiper
> never even moved. I looked at it later and I think something may be
> stripped.
>
> I tried to move the arm to see if there was any play and there was,
> then I tried to see if the drivers side had play and it had none. So
> is it possible the inner part that is inside of the wiper arm that
> connects to the motor is now stripped? How would I fix this?
>
> Replace it or just put some plumbers tape on it?
>
> Looking for some ideas and feedback.
>
> Thanks,
> Robert
> NY
>
>
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--
Sean B.
'90 V'gon 2.0 ABA (under construction)
'82 airsucker V'gon, "The Rat's Nest"
'87 8v GTI, '91 Jetta
2004 Passat Wagon
http://www.vgonman.com
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