Front Wipers dead

[mavbritton]

It started a couple of months ago after a long dry spell, the wipers were really struggling to move on continuous and wouldn't actually move on fast continuous. Assumed the linkages had seized a bit and sprayed WD40 around them. Seemed to solve the problem, but its back again.

This time a lot worse and I've tried the above again and its not getting better. I'm assuming that the motor has died, or the linkages may need replacing. Anybody had this happen and if so is it something you can do yourself?

Cheers

 

[TYS]

It sounds similar to what happened on my Leon (and quite a fwe other SEATs on here).

Remove the wiper motor assembly and lube all moving parts, ALSO remove the casing from the motor and soak all the inner contacts with WD40.
Allow the excess to drain off then re-assemble - this method worked for me.
Good luck.

 

[mavbritton]

Cheers mate, i'll give it a try

 

[fat andy]

My linkages seized up completely, got a new motor and linkage from a scrap yard for 15 quid, quite easy to replace if you've got a ratchet set.

 

[Nath.]

remove and lube the linkages but do not use WD40 use a proper grease that doesn't evaporate and leave stuff washed out and dry

 

[mavbritton]

I'll bare that in mind. I'm having problems getting the bloody wipers off at the moment. Got the nut off and can't understand how to free the arm from the stalk? Any ideas? Thinking of buying a mk4 golf haynes manual hoping this may tell me

 

[Nath.]

the alloy arms are pressed on with the nut onto a tapered steel spline, you need to pull them off, use an open ended spanner with a rag over it to leaver them off, the rag should stop any damage to the arms

 

[rashcupra]

my way of getting them off without tools is

take the nut off and lift arm away from screen (like when you clean the screen) grab the wiper arm and rock it backwards and forwards while pushing up and down (rock it around in other words) this frees up the wiper arm normally.

as nath said use white grease spray as wd-40 REALLY IS PANTS unless lubing up rubber or handle bar grips ect as it draws oil OUT of the gaps and drys up and makes things WORSE just my 2p's worth

good luck

 

[mavbritton]

Poxy wiper arms!

Finally got my wiper arms off today! This is for anyone else who thinks their wipers have slowed down or are struggling.

My wipers were unbelievably stuck to the splines. The fitter at work tried using a slide hammer to get them off- that was unsuccessful and we ended up using a small blow torch to heat the arm up (carefully!) and then about 4 more smacks with the slide hammer and voila! The arms are slightly scratched around the base, but nothing major.

Like the other guys have suggested it was the linkage that had siezed on one side, where the wiper arm attaches. We tested the motor and that appeared to be ok. So, we took the linkage apart and found it was full of dusty grey crap which we cleaned off and polished the spindle up, paying attention to the two shims at both ends. We then reassmbled the linkage with some added white grease we use on cranes and fitted the whole lot back into the car, well I didn't the fitter did, I had to go out! Well pleased, I thought I was looking at £81 for a wiper motor from Seat and if they had done it i'm sure they would have charged me for a new linkage as well plus hours!

Hope this may help anybody else in a similar situation

Cheers for everyone elses advice

 

[rashcupra]

good ol elbow grease and white grease sorted the problem then

ive got a baterry terminal puller in my tool box which is meant for WELL battery terminals but i use it on wipers all the time and its never let me down!