Loose wiper arms

[masospaghetti]

Anyone had issues with the wiper arms being loose? It's really annoying on the highway, you can see them shaking in the wind.

I'm guessing there are some plastic bushings in the linkages that wear out?

96 XLT V8. Thanks all.

 

[bill06447]

I have the same thing on my 97. Originally replaced the arm because the pot metal splines had stripped, but there is something else going on underneath that plastic cover on the cowl. Looks like the passenger side is going to flop right off lol. I'm watching this thread also to see if there is an economical solution.

Bill

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Loose as in not tight to the glass, or as in has play you can move the arms up/down some?

 

[masospaghetti]

The arms move up and down some. They seem to be tight against the glass, they don't skip or chatter when wiping.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

There really isnt a lot of parts involved in actuating the wipers. Start by removing the arms (lift up, then pull the tab to release). If the wiper arm feels loose or has a lot of play when lifted off the glass it may simply be a case that the locking tabs are bent and need to be reshaped. From there, lift the hood and remove the cowl. Under it you will find the linkage which connects to the wiper pivot bases and the wiper motor. The attachment to the motor may be loose, but more often the bushings which contain the pins connecting the joints of the actuator arms are deteriorated. Removing the linkage is pretty straightforward - just take off the nuts and pry off. The Dorman universal linkage bushing set 49450 is under $5.