I recently had a problem with one of my wipers with the driver side not functioning and making a loud banging noise when it did. I was curious as to why. I first thought something was stuck there, then thought something was not lubricated properly, then came to the conclusion that my wiper arm linkage or motor must’ve died or be weak.
When I took it apart I found that the linkage had snapped off completely and that while the motor might be in good shape, might as well replace it too since it was a big enough job where I was taking everything apart.
Tools need:
– 13mm socket wrench
– pin pusher
– flathead screwdriver
– remove your front strut bar (if attached)
I have the VADIS instructions, unfortunately the computer I used to look them up is dead and I can’t pull the screenshots. So please look up the VADIS instructions for:
1. wiper arm removal
2. cowl removal
3. wiper linkage/motor removal
Once you have those, this doesn’t seem that hard.
Here are the steps I have pictures for:
Step 1: Remove wiper arms.
The wipers are held down with a 13mm or 15mm bolt, I forget which but use your flathead screwdriver to pop off the cover, and remove the nut. Note, it’s only hand tightened so no need for breaker bar or impact gun.
Once bolt remove, and with the arms bent up, use them like a lever and rock it back and forth and it’ll slip off. Do this for both arms.
Step 2: Remove 4 push pins holding the cowl down. important: please try and catch the middle part when you push them through as they’ll fall into the engine bay and you’ll have a hard time finding them afterwards. Put a ziplock bag under each or use your hand. Push the centres out and you’re ready to remove the other visible bolts holding the cowl down.
There are two centre philips head plastic screws you can untorque, they don’t remove, just turn halfway. once the four push pins are removed. The pushpin below is on the right, it’s where that hole is.
Unscrew phillipshead screws 180 degrees.
Step 3: Be gentle, and take your time lifting up and removing the cowl. It’ll be stuck on the driver side most likely so wiggle and jiggle and try not to scratch or damage anything as you’ll need it all in tact to put it back together.
Step 4: Remove linkage
With everything exposed, there are 3 bolts holding the motor down, and one holding it on the driver side. Remove all of them and lift everything out. Important, disconnect the motor power cord before pulling out. Note: The top left nut will be too tight to get a ratchet in there so you’ll need to use a spanner wrench or something small. I’ve depicted that below.
Here are some pics of me unbolting everything:
Here’s the small wrench i used for that bolt
Here’s the difference between the two:
Here’s where it broke, ouch:
