Big R

1. The gas struts on the tailgate of my wagon are no longer working. Can they be serviced? Or is replacement the only option? If so, is it DIY?

2. This is kind of obscure, but it seems that my wiper blades don't contact the windshield hard enough. Does that spring in the wiper arm ever get worn out? It is replaceable?

Thanks for any help!

greenaudi100

I think the performance of the blades has more to do with the quality and condition of the rubber on it. If you replaced it with a cheaper quality wiper it may not work as well or it may just be old. You should try cleaning them first and see if them helps any. What I do is let them soak in warm water over night and this seems to work great for me. I know that sounds weird but you would be surprised how much dirt can get on those things.

twood

<center><img src="http://www.traviswood.net/images/wiperBlades.jpg"></center><p>It might not be the wiper arm that is worn out (see fig. 7 of attached imaged). Might just be installed wrong. If you do need to replace the blade, just buy the wiper rubber insert ($8 for set of 2 from the dealer that I went to). The whole assembly is about $25 per side from dealer, I think. I have an extra set laying around if you're interested, but the driver and pass. side don't match (driver side not factory part). $20 and they're both yours. I think you probably just need the insert, though, so check that first.

Best regards,
Travis

A6Gary

obtain replacements from dealer or on-line parts suppliers (e.g., www.partspalace.com).

Re: your weak wipers - try doing what twood and greenaudi100 suggested. If that fails to solve your problem, then the springs are probably weak, which would require replacement of the arm(s).

Nickolaj

I defiantly thing that spring in the wiper arm ever get worn out. When I bought my car (Audi 100S, 1994) one of the wiper blades only contacted half the area of the window a during a stroke. This was with NEW wiper blades. To solve the problem I bended the wiper blade in a slightly more U shape so the spring force from the wiper arm was bigger. It solved the problem.

Nickolaj

Big R

sorry I didn't mention that these are brand new higher end blades....

Thanks for the help!

whilst

Use "Clay Magic" on windshield,or similar brand.
whilst.

Edd W

The tailgate struts do fail, usually in the first really cold frost of the winter. You will have to replace them which is easy. There is a small spring loaded clip around the socket on each end of the strut. You slide this along with a screwdriver then the socket will just pull off the ball. The new one will come with the clip in place and it just pushes on - you do not need to slide it along at all before fitting.

The wipre arms sometimes need to bottom pivot lubricating. Just lift the arm up and spray some WD40 down into either side of the pivot pin, working the arm up and down as you do so. You should feel it 'free-off' and start to pivot more easily. It can have a remarkable effect. Try not to get wd40 on the screen or rubber of the blades.