Wiper arm sheared?

Hi all

Just got home from an aborted trip to visit family because my drivers side wiper flopped loose whilst on the M62 in heavy traffic.

I pulled over and the drivers wiper was totally loose - I could turn it 360 degrees by hand and in fact I unscrewed it totally!

I've not taken the wipers off this car ever so I am not sure if there are supposed to be any 'grooves' inside the opening that the wiper spindle bites into - I am guessing there should be but there are none on this arm.

It looks to me like the wiper spindle has sheared (smoothed/widened) the inside of the wiper arm opening due to the wiper blade not running smoothly across the windscreen.

Also should there be a washer under the wiper arm retaining nut? There was not one in there but the car has recently been resprayed and put back together (not by me) so I don't know if  there ever was.

I guess I'm looking at a new wiper arm, should I be considering new spindles too or do these not wear as quickly as the arms?

Cheers

Damon

sometimes they do strip off just try and tighten it up will most likely hold unless u turn em on when there frozen to the windscreen lol

The spindle is tapered , position the wiper arm in the correct parked position get a 10mm socket and tighten the nut . It should grip nicely [carry the 10mm socket in the car to make sure ]   :wink:

Thanks Chudd - I'll have a go at fixing the wipre arm back on this afternoon. two quick questions…

1. Is it possible to overtighten the nut and, as a result, put stress on the wiper motor / slow the wipers down?

2. Is it necessary (or recommended) that there be a small washer between the nut and the wiper arm?

Cheers
Damon

i've had similar trouble in the past with my wipers.

the wiper spindle that sticks out of the car is splined, though as with mine, you'll probably want to clear the splines with a sharp blade as they will probably be full of metal sheared out from your wiper arm.
with the splines clear, it should grip nicely to the arm.

im pretty sure you can tighten them as much as you like, without going ott.

ash x

As the man above said + yes use a washer it helps spread the load .

Cleaned the splines using a craft knife and refittied the blades using small washers. Tightened them up pretty tight and they feel pretty solid.

Not going to take the car out here today as our back lane is solid ice but am planning a short trip out tomorrow so will test the wipers then.

Cheers for the advice, you may have saved me a few quid there (presuming the offending arm holds firm).

All the best.
Damon