I decided I'm sick of rummaging around finding these oddball B6 wipers. Since I drive so much (to the tune of 20,000miles a year) I figured $100 is a good investment for some nice Aero wipers.

Took some photos today when I swapped out my stock 2002 Wiper arms for the Aero design. Super simple and it only took me about 15 minutes. I purchased mine from www.clairparts.com but others have found them at www.ecstuning.com (ES#6574) and such.

Tools needed:
  • flat screwdriver
  • 16mm socket & rachet
  • old towel
  • blue painter's tape
  • can of PB Blaster
  • rubber, or soft-blow, hammer (if needed)


Parts needed:
  • 8E1 955 407 C (wiper arm)(qty 1)
  • 8E1 955 408 C (wiper arm)(qty 1)
  • 8Z0 955 205 (dust cap)(qty 2)
  • 4B1 955 425 C (aero wiper blade)(qt 2)



Procedure:
  • First step: Take the blue painter's tape and mark out a silhouette of the wiper arms on the windshield. This will serve as a guide in realigning the new wiper arms. Why? The wiper arms are not indented and can be installed in any infinite positions. This is a good starting point when installing the new ones.



  • Open hood and take the flat screwdriver and carefully pry off the dust caps.

  • Take the 16mm socket & rachet and remove the two bolts holding the wiper arms down. Spray some PB Blaster on the bolts and go grab a beverage of your choice (mine was Mountain Dew).



  • A few minutes later, place the towel underneath the driver side wiper arm. This will serve to protect the windshield in the event you begin acting like Mongo when pulling the wiper arm off. The hood is best left open at this time. Grab the wiper arm near the base and start wiggling it side to side while simultaneously pulling up on the arm. The driver side you can get a lot of leverage on since you're alongside the car. I was able to pry it off with my hands.

    In the event you can not pry the arm off. Spray some more PB Blaster and let it soak. Put the nut back on hand tight (a few turns, enough to have half the nut engaged). With the rubber hammer hit the nut a few times with one hand while trying to pull the arm up with the other. Be careful not to hit the plastic surround for you might break that. The arm should come loose and now you can remove the nut and remove the wiper arm.

  • Grab the new driver side wiper arm. It will look identical to the original with the exception of the wiper blade interface. Refrain from installing the wiper onto the arm just yet. Mine came with a nice foam cover on the end which, with the towel, added to the protection of my windshield. Place the wiper arm on the linkage spindle and align it with the blue painter's tape. Put the nut on and tighten it down a little bit. Enough to add tension to the spring in the wiper arm. Check alignment with the painter's tape. If aligned leave it here for now and move onto the passenger side.

  • Passenger side wiper arm removal and installation is the same procedure as the driver side. Move the towel over to this wiper and give it a shot. Since I was leaning over the engine from the front of the car I did not have enough leverage to pull the wiper arm off with my own strength. This is where I used the hammer procedure described earlier. Once off install the new arm as described on the driver side.

  • Now that both aero wiper arms are installed and the nuts are partially tightened down (enough to keep things snug but not SuperMan tight). Close the hood and install the wiper blades themselves. Its a nifty interface. Slide the triangular section of the wiper aside and insert the wedge piece from the wiper arm into the wiper. Slide the triangular section of the wiper back into its closed position. Repeat on the other arm and fold both arms down against the windshield.





  • Pour some water on the windshield so you aren't moving new wipers across a bone dry windshield. Get in the car and turn the wipers on. How does the movement look? Wipers aligned good? This is why I suggested not to fully tighten the attachment nuts down. My driver side was coming up fairly high and almost touching the A pillar so I went back and readjusted its resting position (ie: moved it closer to my firewall).

  • Once you are satisfied with your wiper resting position and coverage during operation, tighten up both attachment nuts fairly snug. I say that for I do not have a torque number (I tightened them up until it felt right). Install either the original dust caps or the new ones (if your kit came with new ones).





Now you are done and can enjoy a clear windshield next time it rains/hails/snows etc..

Have fun!
Doug