2nd Gen Rear Wiper

[Nicaraguense]

When I first bought my 2000 Ex my rear wiper did not make good contact with the back glass. My boss and I tried to bend the arm just a little bit. It seemed to help but, never fully cured the problem. Soon after that the Rear Wiper Motor went out. I just changed it today. It actually runs now and works a lot better. However there is still that skipping spot at the first part of where the wiper passes the windshield. ¿Any suggestions? It kinda jumps a little too when it is at that first... Oh... about quarter of the windshield. ¿Anyone else experience something similar?

 

[Garth]

I think it normally it jumps at first so it dont get stuck between the glass.
There was a thread about a new wiper arm that works perfect, its a dealer item with special numbers.
Try bending the wiper arm again and also make sure you have the correct size wiper blade on there. I had to change mine quite a few to get the right one. Mine been working fine for almost a year now since I found the right blade at autozone. I did even have to buy the new arm.

 

[Nicaraguense]

The problem is

The problem is, after it is on the glass, about the first quarter to 1 third of the section it wipes is hardly done because it is jumping. It wipes it better now than before, but it still isn't quite right. I had a 1st Gen and it never gave me a problem. That thing wasn't put back there just for looks. It is supposed to function like a normal wiper just like my front ones. They don't leave spots undone.

 

[kkreit01]

The rear wiper sucks on 2nd gens -- plain and simple. I had a 98 with e bad wiper motor after 2 yrs. And the wiper motor went out on my '00 after 2 years. Now mine skips in the middle. I've tried bending, but if I bend too much, I'm afraid the motor will go out again (having to work too hard). The 3rd Gen looks like a very good design (wiper mounted to glass -- doesn't have to jump the crack).

 

[X~FACTOR]

Re: The problem is

Originally posted by Nicaraguense
That thing wasn't put back there just for looks.

LOLOL... no, I don't think so either. Hahha...

I just learn to live with mine. I accepted the fact that it does not work right.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

If I remember correctly, Ford has a revised version of the wiper arm available at the dealer that is suppose to correct that problem.

 

[Nicaraguense]

How much

How much does that cost?

 

[IAmTodd]

Mine works perfect I think its just a 98+ thing with the redesigned hatch. Our third gen is on its second wiper motor and my boss's 3rd gen is on its third, so they're definetly crap!

 

[Nicaraguense]

Hmmm

I changed my blade three times. The Ford Parts department told me that there was no change in the wiper arm on the thing. Mine still doesn't quite work right. I KNOW THEY DIND'T PUT THOSE THINGS ON THERE JUST FOR LOOKS.

 

[grtexplorer]

I had the same problem on my '99 XLT but I did a search on wipers (I think) and came up with a part # for a revised version of the wiper arm. I think the only difference between my old one and the new arm is a stronger/stiffer spring, but either way it's makes full contact through the full wipe. I wish I could remember the part # for you but it was months ago that I did this.

 

[grtexplorer]

I went searching and found the thread that helped me. Unfortunately I'm web-challenged and can't figure out how to get the link pasted here, but the link title is "Rear wiper fix?" by MO GUY. On p. 2 of the thread there's a response by TPLYNCH with TSB info. on the rear wiper arm. This is what I used to replace mine and it's worked like a charm since.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Good job!! Someone actually used the search button!!! I'm glad I have a '96 so I don't have to mess with the wiper. Here's the link:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...page=20&highlight=rear wiper fix&pagenumber=2

Here's the description:

TSB 15406 BACK GLASS WIPER SKIPS GLASS
APR 17, 2002

SOME 1998-2002 EXPLORER SPORT AND 1998-2001 EXPlORER/MOUNTAINEERS MAY EXHIBIT A REAR WIPER THAT DOES NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. TO SERVICE, FIRST INSPECT FOR THE LETTERS 'AB' STAMPED ON THE WIPER ARM JUST BELOW THE WIPER BLADE PIVOT PIN. IF THE LETTERS ARE NOT STAMPED ON THE ARM, INSTALL NEW SERVICE ARM PART # XL2Z-17526-AA. NOTE: ENSURE THAT THE NEW SERVICE ARM ASSEMBLY HAS THE LETTERS -AB' STAMPED ON ORIGINAL WIPERS WITH 'AB' STAMPED NEAR THE PIVOT PIN WERE REVISED TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BACK GLASS.

 

[grtexplorer]

Yes indeed. The search feature has saved me $$ and I always find something new that I need (okay - want)!

 

[Nicaraguense]

WD 40

WD 40 didn't cure it. I think it took away about another 5% of the problem. I asked the Ford dealership parts counter about that. He said there would have been a difference in the parts numbers or a TBS and there wasn't one. I am about through dealing with those monkeys. The service department is great. They know their stuff those parts monkeys don't know what they are talking about (some of them) I told him the problem. He tells me it is the blade, I buy a blade, I put it on and it is worse. Then that DIP ^&*() proceeds to tell me that well, some of them just do that and have to be totally wet to wipe it off. I will ask them again about the wiper arm.
You guys say there was a Ford TSB but ¿No recall?
Anyways. Mine doesn't seem to have AB stamped on it anywhere. ¿Where would it be again if it is on there? Near the pivot or near the blade?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

I can attest to the 'AB' arm fixing the problem too! My original arm did NOT have an AB stamped on it. My parts guy said he actually KNEW about a new arm with AB and he had heard they work. I ordered one and yep, it had AB stamped on it...and it WORKS!
The AB is stamped on the backside of the arm (facing the window) and is just behind where the blade attaches to the arm...very small letters, but you can tell what they are.
Now...if I could just keep the motor working all the time instead of when I slam the rear door shut a few times to jar it loose!
Ken

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

There's no recall because it doesn't compromise the safety of the vehicle...hence the TSB instead of recall.

 

[Garth]

How much the new arm cost?

 

[grtexplorer]

I think I paid around $35 for mine.

 

[bobdreadknot]

heres a good idea

do hat i did and turn your squiter around and zip tie the tube to hold it in place and fill your wiper bottle with deer piss. gets'em off your ass pretty quick its true that i cant wipe the front off anymore do to the smell but its damn funny to spray ass riders. my rear wiper didnt even work right when i bought it so it was no biggie to me to have some fun with it. if you realy want to know how i did it so you can just tell me and i can send pics to any one who needs it.