There's nothing more aggravating than a windshield wiper not doing its job when it is called for. Often times, the windshield wiper arm has been compromised by human error. Turning a windshield wiper motor on when the windshield wiper blade is stuck (frozen/iced-up) to the windshield can alter the alignment of the wiper arm and damage the linkage from the motor to the arm. Adjusting a misaligned wiper arm is pretty much a universal task no matter what type of vehicle you drive. Certain vehicles may require opening the hood or removal of the cowling to access the wiper arm retaining/adjustment nuts.
Instructions
Adjust Windshield Wipers
1. Place the keys in the ignition, turn the keys to accessory mode (key-on/engine off), and make sure the wiper motor switch is in the off position. Turn the ignition switch to the off position and remove the keys. The wiper arms are now in their parked position, although may not be properly aligned.
2. Access the bottom of the compromised wiper blade arm. You may have to open the hood or remove the wiper arm cowling (refer to the owners manual for the removal of the cowling on your specific vehicle if required).
3. Locate the retaining nut at the bottom of the wiper arm assembly. Some models will have a protective plastic cap covering the nut. Other vehicles may have a hinged cover that is part of the wiper arm itself. Pry the cap off with a straight-edge screwdriver or unsnap the hinged cover by prying it up from the bottom of the wiper arm with the screwdriver to reveal the retaining nut.
4. Hold the wiper arm stable with one hand and remove the nut with the ratchet and a socket with the other.
5. Wiggle the wiper arm gently with one hand while gently prying the base of the arm off of the splined wiper arm stud. The stud has small splines that hold the wiper arm in the correct position unless otherwise compromised. The wiper arm will feel secured to the stud, but the combination of wiggling (gently) and prying with the screwdriver will work to remove the arm.
6. Place the wiper arm back onto the splined wiper arm stud by positioning it in the off position. Some vehicles may have a wiper arm stop that the arm rests against in the off position. If so, make sure the wiper arm is resting against the wiper arm stop when replacing it on the stud.
7. Replace the retaining nut and tighten with the ratchet and socket. Repeat this procedure for the other wiper arm if desired.
8. Use two sets of pliers to bend the wiper arm back into position if the wiper arm has been bent. Hold the wiper arm with one set of pliers to anchor it and use the other set to bend it so the wiper is perpendicular to the windshield. If the arm is bent too badly, replacing the wiper arm may be a more viable option.
9. Inspect the wiper blades. Check them for tears in the rubber blade, dry cracking, or flimsiness. Replace the wiper blades if necessary.
Tags: windshield wiper, Adjust Windshield, Adjust Windshield Wipers, bend wiper, bottom wiper