DIY: solving the "crap, my goddamn wipers are stuck in the middle of the windshield" problem
08-25-2008, 06:41 AM
#14
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Tip: next time put a nut you don't need onto the shaft and then hammer the nut, not the shaft with
threads you'll need later...of course if you have a large tap&die set you are ok, but most people don't so its easier to spare a nut for the job.
Good work. My wipers weren't stuck but I still had to hammer one of them out. Without a vise, I broke one of the mounting tabs on the side and had to buy a new housing
it wasn't too bad, ~$135, but a lesson learned.
Good work. My wipers weren't stuck but I still had to hammer one of them out. Without a vise, I broke one of the mounting tabs on the side and had to buy a new housing
it wasn't too bad, ~$135, but a lesson learned.
10-26-2008, 06:34 AM
#16
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Super Article - I'll add a few suggestions
Did this yesterday and results were excellent. I'm so glad for this post and love this Audi site.
Couple of things I add as recommendations and comments to consider.
1. Plug connector is a complete bitch. I tried unplugging the unit while it was under the lip. (all bolts were off though). There are sharp edges under the windshield lip. The whole unit after much wriggling will come out from under the windshield lip. Unplug the connector then, it might be helpful to refresh yourself how to deal with these Audi connectors.
2. When banging out the screw bolt (the turning bolt mechanism for the wiper) put the original bolt on top of the threaded part of the bolt. This will protect the thread.
3. When removing the plastic windshield grill, be patient and careful. The strip removes by pulling up. Not towards you. My strip wasn't fastened with any metal clips. I don't think these are necessary anyway.
4. I'd recommend lubing the screw bolts (do this procedure) before you get a problem. I waited till the wipers stuck with some warning before locking up. Sticking problem can't be good for the wiper motor. Motor noise seems loud now. Or maybe I just notice it more.
5. Audi. Shame on you.
CVT Benhogan
Couple of things I add as recommendations and comments to consider.
1. Plug connector is a complete bitch. I tried unplugging the unit while it was under the lip. (all bolts were off though). There are sharp edges under the windshield lip. The whole unit after much wriggling will come out from under the windshield lip. Unplug the connector then, it might be helpful to refresh yourself how to deal with these Audi connectors.
2. When banging out the screw bolt (the turning bolt mechanism for the wiper) put the original bolt on top of the threaded part of the bolt. This will protect the thread.
3. When removing the plastic windshield grill, be patient and careful. The strip removes by pulling up. Not towards you. My strip wasn't fastened with any metal clips. I don't think these are necessary anyway.
4. I'd recommend lubing the screw bolts (do this procedure) before you get a problem. I waited till the wipers stuck with some warning before locking up. Sticking problem can't be good for the wiper motor. Motor noise seems loud now. Or maybe I just notice it more.
5. Audi. Shame on you.
CVT Benhogan
05-09-2009, 12:32 PM
#17
Another satisfied customer. I know this is a old thread but I'm glad I found it. My car went out of warranty last Sept and wouldn't you know it, got the dreaded wiper stuck problem this past Thursday.
This write up just saved me 400 smackers at the Dealership's Service Dept where I was headed till I found this.
Cheers
Greg
This write up just saved me 400 smackers at the Dealership's Service Dept where I was headed till I found this.
Cheers
Greg
10-18-2009, 09:31 AM
#18
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I started getting the "sticking wipers" problem a few days ago and decided to fix it.
First, I marked the windshield with tape so that I could put the wipers back into the right position.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l1.jpg">
Pull the rubber strip off the 1rst firewall.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l2.jpg">
Remove the plastic piece that covers the battery.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l3.jpg">
Remove the caps, nuts, and remove the wipers.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l4.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l5.jpg">
There are 3 metal clips that hold the plastic piece at the bottom of the windshield (only one left on my car!), remove them and remove the plastic piece.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l6.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l7.jpg">
Remove the ECU plastic cover.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l8.jpg">
You can see the wiper linkage fairly well in this pic.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l9.jpg">
You can see where the 2 linkages attach to the motor, pry the 2 arms off the ball end.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l10.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l11.jpg">
Remove the 3 bolts that hold the linkage to the car (I suggest you use an extension, I ended up hitting the positive pole on my battery with the ratchet while unscrewing the bolt and I had a little spark show).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l12.jpg">
Unplug the wiper motor connection.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l13.jpg">
Wiggle, curse and scream real loud, and remove the linkage assembly from the car.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l15.jpg">
You can see how badly rusted part of the linkage was, the spindle wouldn't even turn in the bushing.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l16.jpg">
I had to knock the crap out of spindle to remove it from the bushing (there is an c-clip, a flat washer, and an o-ring, make sure you remove the c-clip and don't lose the o-ring).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l17.jpg">
Before you continue, make sure the nut will still screw on the spindle. After all that banging with the ball peen hammer, my threads were screwed up. It gave me an occasion to break-in my brand new tap and die kit and re-thread the spindle.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l18.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l19.jpg">
I sanded, filed, and cleaned everything up real well and used some molypaste I had left from my previous bearing job on the Jetta to lube the spindle.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l20.jpg">
Everything ready for re-assembly.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l21.jpg">
Reverse the instructions and put everything back in the car and... voila!!!
...or you can just buy a replacement wiper linkage and swap it!!!
Tomorrow: DIY: prop shaft seal replacement!
First, I marked the windshield with tape so that I could put the wipers back into the right position.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l1.jpg">
Pull the rubber strip off the 1rst firewall.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l2.jpg">
Remove the plastic piece that covers the battery.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l3.jpg">
Remove the caps, nuts, and remove the wipers.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l4.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l5.jpg">
There are 3 metal clips that hold the plastic piece at the bottom of the windshield (only one left on my car!), remove them and remove the plastic piece.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l6.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l7.jpg">
Remove the ECU plastic cover.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l8.jpg">
You can see the wiper linkage fairly well in this pic.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l9.jpg">
You can see where the 2 linkages attach to the motor, pry the 2 arms off the ball end.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l10.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l11.jpg">
Remove the 3 bolts that hold the linkage to the car (I suggest you use an extension, I ended up hitting the positive pole on my battery with the ratchet while unscrewing the bolt and I had a little spark show).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l12.jpg">
Unplug the wiper motor connection.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l13.jpg">
Wiggle, curse and scream real loud, and remove the linkage assembly from the car.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l15.jpg">
You can see how badly rusted part of the linkage was, the spindle wouldn't even turn in the bushing.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l16.jpg">
I had to knock the crap out of spindle to remove it from the bushing (there is an c-clip, a flat washer, and an o-ring, make sure you remove the c-clip and don't lose the o-ring).
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l17.jpg">
Before you continue, make sure the nut will still screw on the spindle. After all that banging with the ball peen hammer, my threads were screwed up. It gave me an occasion to break-in my brand new tap and die kit and re-thread the spindle.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l18.jpg">
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l19.jpg">
I sanded, filed, and cleaned everything up real well and used some molypaste I had left from my previous bearing job on the Jetta to lube the spindle.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l20.jpg">
Everything ready for re-assembly.
<img src="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q33/x1rider/l21.jpg">
Reverse the instructions and put everything back in the car and... voila!!!
...or you can just buy a replacement wiper linkage and swap it!!!
Tomorrow: DIY: prop shaft seal replacement!
Thanks
05-11-2010, 05:49 PM
#20
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I Had to do this tonight because my wipers froze on me this morning. This worked perfectly. My motor was perfect but the drivers side wiper was frozen and wouldnt budge. Took it apart, 3m scuf pad and a screw driver to clean out the tube, Lubed it up with some synthetic grease (i over did it) and its now back to normal. Practiaclly brand new, if not better!