Rear Wiper arm mod

[jimmyznutz]

I got tired of messing with it and just eliminated it. A healthy application of RainX and I never have a problem with visibility. I would like to find a deflector to fit on it to help with any water displacement. Something like the Saleen spoiler or something similar.

 

[SoNic67]

And at the next rain, all the muddy/salty mist from the road will stick to your rear glass. RaineX maybe works in Southern California where it never rains, it just pours sometimes.
In my state, part of technical inspection is the status of wipers, you won't pass with a worn one, much less with a missing one.

Maybe you don't use it anyway, I see plenty of people having their side mirrors arranged to see in the 'back' instead of the blind spot next to them... and then they merge in my lane without seeing me.

Like I said before, I did spend $26 for a new arm and am done messing with this.

 

[jimmyznutz]

I live in Northern Cali and it rains frequently. No issues with anything sticking to the glass. As far as inspections go, a rear wiper is not required so that's a moot point. Good for you that you spent some money and fixed your problem. I spent less and also have no problem. There's more than one way to skin a cat. I wasn't saying that what I did is the best way to fix the problem, just a different solution that works for me. Oh, and I use all of my mirrors the way they were meant to be used. Don't sound so much like a ****** nozzle. You have a nice day Sir.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

I have already dropped 20 bucks on a 13” blade with no difference. I might as well go for the arm too. Now if even that won't fix the problem then I’ll be really pissed.

 

[SoNic67]

I wasn't saying that what I did is the best way to fix the problem, just a different solution that works for me.

I drive the same vehicle and I know that RaineX by itself does not work. You cannot say that in CA roads are washed with detergent every day, you just don't see nothing in rear and don't care.

People drive with lights off at night time because 'it works for them', they can see other people lights.
Others drive with high beams on because, the same, it 'works for them'.
Others blast their music loud because 'it works for them'.
Others don't use turn signals because 'it works for them'.
Others text and drive because 'it works for them'.

All examples of 'me,me,me', self-absorbed individuals... And when that is pointed out to them, their argument is an insult.

LE: I updated my 'ignore' list.

 

[jimmyznutz]

:bsnicker:

"you just don't see nothing"

LE: I updated my 'ignore' list.

Yayyy...Noone needs a self absorbed ****** who thinks he knows all. I'm glad you have added me to your ignore list, I have done the same. now I don't have to see your dumbass posts trying to put down others ideas just because you don't agree with them.

Undercoversetbackcinderblockheadwearingassmotherfugger...eat on it.:mattmoon:


I've been on this forum going on 10 years now and I don't post a lot, but when I do I try to be informative. If that information helps anyone all the better. I also know that everyone has their bad days, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.:wavey:

 

[J_C]

In my state, part of technical inspection is the status of wipers, you won't pass with a worn one, much less with a missing one.

Are you certain a rear window wiper is mandatory, considering most cars, pickups, vans, etc do not have one? AFAIK it isn't even mandatory to have a rear window at all.

Anyway if my wiper ever fails I'm going to just pull it and plug the hole. I never use it. For that matter I never open the back glass either.

 

[SoNic67]

Well, you can take the glass out and then you will have free visibility

IMO, every item that is on the car was part of the DOT homologation and approval process to allow for that vehicle to be used on public roads.
You cannot decide 'heck, I don't need that' and still drive on public roads. Sure, you can try to gen a new certificate of approval from DOT for your modification. Some states allow certain modifications in certain limits, but that's a state decision (like how much you can raise your vehicle from stock).
But, if you drive in another state, you are already under federal regulations.

 

[J_C]

^ My point is that I don't think there is any federal or state requirement for a rear window wiper. If there were then how could most vehicles get by without them?

 

[jimmyznutz]

He doesn't get it. Some people refuse to see that there is any other way of doing things than what they think is the right way. On point, NO, there is no law federal or otherwise that requires a rear wiper. Modifications to a stock setup on most any vehicle will not make the slightest difference as far as the state is concerned. Now if you live in one of the more strict states and have to meet visual as well as smog tests, then there are some modifications that will fail an inspection. To make a blanket statement like it doesn't matter what the mod is, it's illegal is not only close minded but just plain ignorant. Some people like to leave their rides completely stock, and that's ok, and some like to mod them. Whether it be small nondescript or obvious mods, there are many routes to take and many different solutions to each challenge. If something works for one person it might not for the next.

One of the reasons I love forums is the fact that you can draw from the experience of others and find what best suits your taste and/or skill level. Like I said, There's more than one way to skin a cat. Although some people think the only way is their way. Open your eyes and soak in the info. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two.

In the end, do what you like no matter what anyone else thinks because...

Those that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind.
Dr. Seuse

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

I personally don’t like to discard parts that came with the car from the factory. If it costs $25 to fix the problem for good, why not?

 

[J_C]

^ If it were a newer vehicle and I thought that would affect resale value then sure, I'd fix it if it broke. Since I never use mine, for all I know it could be broken right now but replacing it would serve no purpose, would just be wasted time and money, and another protrusion I have to wash around and buy wipers for.

Similarly my radio can't tune AM any longer, I get stations but with lots of static and I'm not going to replace it since I don't listen to AM.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

I agree. It is easy to get sucked in to repair after repair especially if you like the car. Financially, it never makes sense. These trucks in the best condition aren’t worth more than 2 grand. My son had it while in college then bought a new car. If I had not put in a new transmission it would have been long gone. Now I am fixated on making it perfect. Every niggling problem has to get fixed.

 

[koda2000]

Update:
It rained hard here Sunday. I used my modified rear wiper and it worked perfectly. When I got out of the truck I noticed that the blade apparently had gotten stuck in the crack when I turned it on. This must have made the arm rotate on it's shaft slightly, because it no longer returns to the "fully parked" position when turned off. This leaves the tip of the blade still on the glass when off, but it's not so much that the blade runs off the glass on the opposite side. I never open my rear window to access the cargo area. I just open the lift-gate, so this is no problem for me. If for some reason I wanted to open the glass I could, I'd just need to lift the blade/arm out of the way first. So, the problem resolved itself for me. I realize this may not be the perfect solution if you regularly open your rear glass, but it works for me.

 

[93 x_SPORT]

Update:
It rained hard here Sunday. I used my modified rear wiper and it worked perfectly. When I got out of the truck I noticed that the blade apparently had gotten stuck in the crack when I turned it on. This must have made the arm rotate on it's shaft slightly, because it no longer returns to the "fully parked" position when turned off. This leaves the tip of the blade still on the glass when off, but it's not so much that the blade runs off the glass on the opposite side. I never open my rear window to access the cargo area. I just open the lift-gate, so this is no problem for me. If for some reason I wanted to open the glass I could, I'd just need to lift the blade/arm out of the way first. So, the problem resolved itself for me. I realize this may not be the perfect solution if you regularly open your rear glass, but it works for me.

Just make sure you move it out of the way when you close it too. I forgot to do that a couple times on my old explorer. CRUNCH!!! Lol.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

Just reporting back that I replaced the entire rear wiper arm. The difference is night and day. There is no so much more pressure on the wiper blade. No misses, no streaks.

 

[corkey]

i did that too, went to the dealer said get me a new wiper arm for the back, and that was that, it works awesome, and parks properly,,

 

[SoNic67]

This must have made the arm rotate on it's shaft slightly, because it no longer returns to the "fully parked" position when turned off.

Koda, the arm has a clutch between it and the motor inside. Start the wiper on intermittent and let it stop in the right side. At that moment you can forcibly rotate the arm in the correct position, it will "slip" on the clutch.

 

[briwayjones]

I have been thinking on and off about how to fix the rear wiper problem also. I haven't had one on my Explorer for years between the wiper motors going bad and the wiper always getting stuck in the crack. The glass can be adjusted down to make the crack smaller which would help.

The only possible solution I have come up with in my limited thinking about the subject is to mod it similar to the first gen. Explorers. The park ramp thingy for the wiper went all the way up to the crack in between the glass and metal. And even protruded into the gap a little bit. The wiper couldn't fall or come off of the glass without hitting and running up on the ramp. When you turned it on it would come down the ramp and land directly on the glass. I don't know how well it could be made to work or if you could just get one of the ramps from a first gen. and easily make it work. I hadn't gotten that far yet.

 

[koda2000]

Koda, the arm has a clutch between it and the motor inside. Start the wiper on intermittent and let it stop in the right side. At that moment you can forcibly rotate the arm in the correct position, it will "slip" on the clutch.

I've noticed the ability to manually move the arm around on my other trucks, but not on the one I'm messing with (2000 XLT). Maybe something's messed up with the motor on that one. In any case, I'm good with the way it's behaving. Like I say, I almost never open my rear windows. I'll fool with it some more when I have nothing better to do. Right now I'm dealing with fuel pump #2 , in as many weeks, and a coolant leak on a 2000 Monty.