Help! - Can't Get this $#@&* Wiper Arm off!

Jim 5 · Jun 6, 2006

I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm removing my windshield to repair some rust started by the scratches left by my friendly windshield installers. It's a '98 Chev full sized truck.

The job requires first removing the wiper arms. The manual says to pull out the tabs you can see extended at the bottom of the wiper arm.

These arms should just lift off the splines once this tab is pulled out (just like a C-clip in a rear axle). Problem is, they're frozen on. I've used penetrating oil, and tried to pry them off levering off a board resting on the windshield. This cracked the windshield (which doesn't bother me since I'm replacing it anyway). It seems like the only thing I can do is grind the spline cover off and use a wiper arm removal tool to press the arm off the spline. I don't want to do this because I'll have to replace each arm at a cost of $40 each.

Anybody got any ideas? Heat isn't an option, because the spline rotates within a plastic cylindrical shroud (the grayish looking bit) you can see in the pictures.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Jim

brianl703 · Jun 6, 2006

I don't know if this helps, but when I removed the wiper arms from my Ford Mustang, they didn't come straight off. I had to apply sideways pressure to the wiper arm so one side came up first, and then it came loose.

mechtech · Jun 6, 2006

Squirt your favorite 'loose juice' up in the spine area from below with a plastic nozzle extension that you bent. Let it sit, and tap around in different spots, then reapply and tap some more. Make sure the clip is pried out alll the way, then it should wiggle off.
Channel locks with a rag to prevent scratching will help the wiggle process.
Good luck!

Papa Bear · Jun 6, 2006

Ask one of the girls at the local Canadian Tire parts counter, she'll pop them off for you.

P.B.

cousincletus · Jun 6, 2006

Body shops (or glass shops) will have the special removal tool. You may be able to find it at Snap-on or NAPA. You will have to "wiggle" it off. Sometimes it will come flying off all at once too.

WishIhadatruck · Jun 7, 2006

If you figure it out let us know, I've got to get the wiper arm off my '96 Buick Roadmaster. I have not tried it yet but it sounds like it will be fun. My windshield washer fluid only does an impression of Old Faithful through the grate below the windshield instead of traveling through the tubes up the arms. Works ok at 70 but not in town.

Gary Allan · Jun 7, 2006

Now I'm a bit behind the times ..but I never had one that wasn't also bolted (nutted, actually) in addition to some type of "tab lock". Are you sure that skin doesn't lift off and pivot the opposite of the arm (as in the same pin is the axis for the cover)

..I don't talk slow ..but I may be a

anyway.

Bret Chase · Jun 7, 2006

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Allan:
Now I'm a bit behind the times ..but I never had one that wasn't also bolted (nutted, actually) in addition to some type of "tab lock". Are you sure that skin doesn't lift off and pivot the opposite of the arm (as in the same pin is the axis for the cover)

that tab is all that holds the wiper on on a 88-98 GM truck. on my 88 it usually just takes a bit of wiggling and it comes right off.

in the pics it looks to me like the tab is broken in 1/2.

Papa Bear · Jun 7, 2006

Jim.......I don't mean to be smart but what makes you think you can R&R the windshield and fix the bodywork, when you can't even get the wipers off.
P.B.

Jim 5 · Jun 7, 2006

Mechtech:

Have used about a pint of releasall. Thanks, I'll give the channelocks a try.

Cousincletus:

I wish the wiper arm was designed as Gary Allen suggested. If it were, I could use that tool. I'm familiar with the special tool you're talking about. It's like a miniature pitman-arm puller. Problem is, you'd have to grind the top of the wiper arm casting off to expose the splined head before you could press the arm off. That's my worst case scenario, and I'm hoping to save these arms since they're pretty expensive at the dealer.

Gary:

I'm familiar with the type of cover you're talking about, but this isn't it. It's a solid casting made of pot-metal. I'm pretty sure it's just corroded on. That had been my first thought, but Brett is correct.

Brett:

The tab isn't broken, the other one's exactly the same. It's just a little scratched from the prying.

THANKS TO THE ABOVE GENTS FOR THE THOUGHTS.

Papa Bear:

R&R the windshield and fixing body work is relatively low tech compared to the projects I have accomplished on the various car, motorcycle, engine, transmission and precision machinery restorations and rebuilds I have done. Just having some trouble getting these off without damaging anything. Have you ever run into a task that should be exceedingly simple, and it turns out not to be?

The problem with both of your comments is that they're not helpful to the amateur, the expert, or anyone in between.

Your First comment (paraphrased) - get a girl to remove the wiper arm for you.

Your Second comment (paraphrased) - what makes you think you can do something of requiring mid-level skills when you can't do something that's bonehead simple.

You're right though, your comments aren't smart, they're just plain sarcastic, and not in any way helpful. My own opinion is that they don't play well in what is otherwise a collegial and helpful environment. I can't make you do anything, but as a matter of courtesy, I would only request that you keep comments like that to yourself.

Gary Allan · Jun 7, 2006

Well, the mini pitman arm puller should still work. The jaws will still grip the edges of the arm/socket..held in place by the tension of the threaded thingy. You just need to, somehow, get a slide hammer to attach to the screw mechanism.

Does this work in your head like it does mine

Jim 5 · Jun 7, 2006

Great idea Gary!

A slide hammer can be borrowed from my local auto parts outlet.

I'm going to machine or weld up a custom puller that will provide the right attachment to both the wiper arm and the slide hammer.

I'm not overly confident the $5 mini-puller won't slip off and scratch/bash something nearby when I'm slamming on the slide hammer.

I think your idea will really do the trick!

Thanks very much for your input.

Gary Allan · Jun 7, 2006

Glad I could pull it out of a dark place for you, pal! Sometimes my lightbulb flickers at the correct wavelength

I wish you luck! Let us know how you make out

Papa Bear · Jun 8, 2006

"Have you ever run into a task that should be exceedingly simple, and it turns out not to be?"

YES !! That's when I get the girls at Canadian Tire take them off

P.B.

mechtech · Jun 9, 2006

Watch out with that slide hammer - you can trash the bearing and create problems.
You might try and drill a small hole in the top and let the penetrating oil seep in through that orfice.

Jim 5 · Jun 9, 2006

I'm going to try that mechtech. Thanks!

Jim 5 · Jun 9, 2006

Well,

Thanks to Gary Allen's idea, the problem is solved. If you ever run into this problem, I recommend making a simple tool like this out of 2 1.5" lengths of angle iron welded together, notched and with a nut welded on top. This nut attaches to the Slide Hammer.

It took quite a few whacks to get each wiper arm off. They were jammed on because of a bunch of grit that had worked its way between each arm and the splines.

I'm planning on taking these off, cleaning and loading the wiper arm splined holes with grease once a year from now on.

THANKS VERY MUCH TO GARY ALLEN in particular and everyone else that offered help!

mechtech · Jun 10, 2006

That looks similar to one of the tools that comes with the slide hammer set.

Papa Bear · Jun 11, 2006

I think that's what the girls at Canadian Tire use.

P.B.

Gary Allan · Jun 13, 2006

Thanks for giving me a purpose!

It made my day .... really!

Help! - Can't Get this $#@&* Wiper Arm off!

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