Most people have certainly had to deal with the ice and snow accumulated on the wiper blades at times. This is usually an easily solved problem; just get out of the car, take the windshield wipers and shake the icy encrustations against the windshield. However, this simple gesture loosens the arm fixing nut making the brushes unusable.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Tighten the Locknut
Step 1. Disable the wiper mechanism
You should wait for the brushes to come down to the rest position; turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition.
Step 2. Follow the path of the wiper to the base of the arm
Sometimes, it is necessary to open the hood for this operation.
Place a rubber mat, piece of cardboard or similar material around the base of the wiper to protect the glass and body paint in case the tool slips
Step 3. Pry to remove the plastic cap that protects the nut from dust
Check that the arm is still in the correct position and use a small flat screwdriver to detach the cap from the housing of the nut. This guard should have a notch in which to insert the tip of the screwdriver; once removed, you have access to the retaining nut.
Step 4. Choose the socket with the correct diameter for the hex nut
Once you have removed the protective cap and inspected the nut that fixes the arm on the rotating pin, you should choose the correct bush; graft it onto the handle or, if necessary, onto the extension itself.
Check that the compass fits well on the nut, as some instruments report the measurements in the metric system and others in the Anglo-Saxon system. Once engaged, there should be no space or "play" between the nut and the tool
Step 5. Set the handle correctly
This part of the tool can be adjusted so that bolts and nuts can be unscrewed or screwed; you have to make sure that it only rotates in a clockwise direction to be able to tighten the nut.
Step 6. Screw the piece
Put the sleeve (and a small extension, if necessary) on the handle and slide it over the nut, trying to gently tighten the latter. If it turns without too much resistance, continue your action until you feel it is tight and finish with an additional eighth of a turn to be safe. If the nut is already tight, stop.
- If it spins freely, the thread of the nut or pivot pin may be stripped. In the first case, you just need to take a new piece of hardware; if the problem arises from the pin, you have to change it, which could mean replacing the entire wiper motor.
- If the nut is very tight, loosen it to disassemble the arm and check it. If the base is scratched or damaged, the wiper may behave as if the nut is loose and you cannot make any repairs; in that case, you need to buy and install a new arm.
Step 7. Give it a try
Start the engine, activate the wipers and check that they are working as they should; if an arm slips, you have to change it.
Part 2 of 2: Replace the arm
Step 1. Draw a mark where the wiper blades rest on the windshield
If the problem is not caused by the retaining nut, the faulty arm could be responsible and you need to replace it. To make sure it goes the right way, you need to place the replacement part exactly where the original is. To do this, you can use a bar of soap, wax, or other similar, easy-to-remove product to make a mark.
Step 2. Remove the nut securing the wiper arm to the pivot pin
- Place the socket wrench on the hex nut holding it steady with one hand while firmly stabilizing the arm with the other; this prevents the mechanism from moving beyond the maximum range of motion when you turn the socket wrench.
- Rotate the tool counterclockwise to unscrew the nut 180-360 °.
- Once the nut is loosened, release the grip on the arm and remove the socket wrench. Continue to unscrew it by hand until you have completely removed it and set it aside for later use.
Step 3. Remove the entire wiper blade from the pivot pin
Lift it off the windshield with one hand while holding the end connected to the pin with the other; "shake" it gently while continuing to pull it up to completely detach it.
Step 4. Clean the pin tabs with a wire brush and the WD-40
This way, you get rid of dirt and metal residues. When done, make sure the area is completely dry.
Step 5. Inspect the replacement arm
Make sure it has tabs that match those on the motor pin.
Step 6. Fit the new piece
Align the tabs so they snap onto the tabs on the pin. Check that the brush is in the correct resting position on the windshield (it should rest right on the mark you made earlier).
Step 7. Gently tap it to seat it on the rotating pin
For this operation it is best to use a tool that does not scratch the new arm, such as a rubber hammer.
Step 8. Clean the nut thread
By doing so, you prevent it from getting stuck badly with that of the pin and you do not risk stripping it or damaging it during tightening.
Step 9. Install the nut by hand
Make sure it turns loosely and that the thread lines up with that of the motor pin. If there is no resistance, keep turning it until it is tight; finish tightening with the socket wrench by turning the nut another eighth of a turn.
Step 10. Check for arm movement
Spray water or glass cleaner on the windshield, start the engine and activate the wiper blades.
If they stay parallel to each other and move smoothly without touching the windshield pillar, stop them and turn off the engine
Step 11. Push the plastic plug into its housing
If necessary, tap it with a rubber mallet, taking care to align the notches or slots where the pry tool fits into the original position.
