How the hell do you get the wiper arms off?

[ghunt81]

I'm going to replace the cowl panel grommets since they have been leaking. Got the passenger side of the panel off, but the drivers side is trapped behind the wiper arms. I took the rubber caps off, took the nuts off, but the wiper arms are stuck on there good. I've sprayed it with PB Blaster twice and used a wiper arm puller which started to bend without the arms so much as budging. Now what?

 

[Macman45]

Pound the stem/shaft with a metal hammer while gently pulling/putting pressure on the arm

 

[Silver'nStripes]

I pulled my wiper arms off years ago, ended up using a very small pulley puller to pop 'em off.

 

[Rugermack]

I bought a windshield wiper puller on amazon

 

[Macman45]

He said he already tried a puller and it was bending. Try my suggestion of sending some shocks through the stem with the hammer.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Use the puller to put some preload on the wiper arm to come loose. Then tap with a hammer. Vibration + preload works in many cases where either technique alone will not.


Norm

 

[Charly]

There is a tool that is specific to the ford type of wiper arm removal, minimal cost and makes job so much easier, check Amazon, that way you don't risk damage to the splines.

 

[Rugermack]

Same thing I told him

 

[Dynomax]

I made a small puller that contacted at 2 points 180 degrees apart. Worked fine but there was certainly a lot of load involved. I was almost at the stage where heat would have been applied. By heat I mean using a hot air gun and only enough to expand the arm, not burn paint off!

 

[2007black]

Lisle 65750 Windshield Tool on Amazon, $7.21 from Lisle.

 

[ghunt81]

Man these things are really friggin' stuck. I've hit them with PB Blaster a couple times, used the aforementioned puller which is bending, tried putting some preload on it with the puller and heating it with a heating gun...got the arm kinda hot but nothing. Didn't want to get it too hot as I definitely don't want to melt anything. Tapped with a hammer, etc.

I found an old post via google where people suggested lifting the arm to take off the spring pressure. Tried that on the driver's side, then again tried the puller and hammer tapping, still nothing.

I found a stouter looking small tie rod puller at advance auto parts today that looks like it should fit so I guess I'm gonna try that next. I doubt these arms have ever been off so I have a feeling they are rusted on there good. May need the propane torch if that puller doesn't work and just replace the arms.

 

[phobik05]

You don't need any tool. Take the nut off and rock the part closest to it up and down with your hand. It will come off. Might take a minute or two. I know this because unfortunately I'm a professional and have done this many, many times.

 

[ghunt81]

Yeah I read that somewhere else and it doesn't work. The whole thing moves around, the post the wiper arm mounts to isn't solid enough for that to actually work.

 

[phobik05]

It works. And yes, the whole thing moves until it pops free. Don't pull/push it enough to bend it and you will be fine. Been doing it that way since 91 and don't own any special tool. Any tech will tell you the same.

 

[ghunt81]

It works.

Yeah it didn't work. The small tie rod puller was my savior. It took some force and both arms came off with a pop...lot of oxidation on those splines. At least they are off now and it will get anti seize when it goes back together.

 

[ghunt81]

So in case anyone is curious to see, I installed the new cowl grommets tonight. They must have updated the design on these at some point (new one on left, old one on right), maybe on the newer cars. The ones on mine had this flimsy foam seal with adhesive on the back, the new ones have a stiffer sort of plasticky-rubber seal with no adhesive. I'm not sure if these are intended to be installed with silicone but I put it one mine to make sure they stayed sealed.

 

[Tom Gallagher]

I just did mine - Like this past week. I ordered a wiper arm puller from Amazon, and the arms pop right off after a little maneuvering of the puller. I sealed all of my grommets instead of buying new ones and I still have a leak that drips right between the clutch and brake pedals - So if you or anyone else on here has an answer to this frigging pain in the ass leak, please let me know.

 

[DieHarder]

Not that it's the best option... but in addition to sealing the grommets you can try a single length of 1/2" black electrical tape along the base of the windshield where the cowl rubber meets the windshield (i.e. tape the cowl down to the windshield). The water then has to run over the cowl and out the drain holes vice under which eliminates the grommets as an entry source. Again, not my first choice but it will keep the water away from those pesky grommets.

 

[ghunt81]

I just did mine - Like this past week. I ordered a wiper arm puller from Amazon, and the arms pop right off after a little maneuvering of the puller. I sealed all of my grommets instead of buying new ones and I still have a leak that drips right between the clutch and brake pedals - So if you or anyone else on here has an answer to this frigging pain in the ass leak, please let me know.

I did find out my cowl drain right below the windshield wiper motor was almost completely clogged with junk. Did you check that on yours?

 

[Norm Peterson]

Not that it's the best option... but in addition to sealing the grommets you can try a single length of 1/2" black electrical tape along the base of the windshield where the cowl rubber meets the windshield (i.e. tape the cowl down to the windshield). The water then has to run over the cowl and out the drain holes vice under which eliminates the grommets as an entry source. Again, not my first choice but it will keep the water away from those pesky grommets.

There's still the possibility of the leak starting in the pinch weld (horizontally oriented in front of the grommets).


Norm