Wiper Blade Lifts Up During Sweep

[imnuts]

So, over the winter, a jackass decided to drive in a ton of slush next to me and created a huge mound of snow & ice on the windshield that was building up under the wipers up in their rest position. Since then, the passenger side wiper starts to lift up off the windshield at the top of the sweep. It also seems to primarily affect the sweep up the windshield, as it clears most of what it misses on the down sweep.

I thought it may be the blade, so I swapped them side to side, but the same thing happens. I pinched the clip for the spring to add some tension to it on the arm, and that helped some, but the center of the blade still lifts off the windshield. It also only affects the passenger side wiper, the driver's side is still ok and doesn't seem to have any issues other than being a little streaky.

The wiper posts that the arms mount on are still centered in the cowl. Is it possible that the frame or transmission is partially twisted or bent to cause this? I haven't yet had a chance to look, but I know when I replaced the wiper transmission several years ago, I tightened everything pretty well. I also don't remember there being much in the way of adjustment on those components, so I'm not sure what may have happened. It also puzzles me why it only affects the passenger side. I would think that if something were out of place, it would affect both wipers, not just the one.

If anyone knows of anything else I can look at, it would be appreciated. It's annoying to watch and it's also leaving streaks on my windshield since the wipers aren't clearing things properly.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[imnuts]

So, I took a look today and I found at least one issue, and I need some help finding the part. There is a hairline crack forming in the mounting bracket that holds the motor & transmission. I tried looking for it on ECS & Genuine Audi Parts, but it isn't listed with the other wiper hardware that I can find. Can anyone find the part number of the bracket that bolts down in the center of the assembly and holds the wiper motor? I did get it a little bit better than it was, but I don't know if the transmission assembly will be able to retain pressure on the windshield with this part being cracked. It also flexes quite easily when I put any pressure on the wipers, so that can't be good either.

[old guy]

Clicky click®. From here: Clicky click®

[imnuts]

Thanks old guy. Not sure why they think that piece of metal is worth $60+ though.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[fR3ZNO]

Thanks old guy. Not sure why they think that piece of metal is worth $60+ though.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

FWIW, it's $52 at Audiusaparts, free shipping over $50.

[imnuts]

Yeah, I ordered it from Bernardi as I'd like to get it sooner rather than later since the spring/summer rain probably isn't far away. About the same cost, but I had to pay for shipping. I'm not looking forward to pulling the cowl off the base of the windshield to replace this though.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[old guy]

Here’s a tip for after you remove the cowl, assuming you can do it without breaking the rib that holds it in place. Use a stiff brush to totally clean out the groove at the base of the windshield as well as the rib.

Next coat the rib with a thin layer of waterproof grease. This will help with the cowl installation as well as make it easier to remove the next time around.

[SJorge3442]

Ugh. This reminds me. I need a new cowl cause the guy who replaced my windshield broke it and never told me

[imnuts]

Here’s a tip for after you remove the cowl, assuming you can do it without breaking the rib that holds it in place. Use a stiff brush to totally clean out the groove at the base of the windshield as well as the rib.

Next coat the rib with a thin layer of waterproof grease. This will help with the cowl installation as well as make it easier to remove the next time around.

I replaced the cowl with a new one 4-5 years ago as the rib broke off after several windshield replacements, along with having to replace the wiper transmission and removing my ECU. The issue now, and the grease may help, is that the channel it snaps into isn't as secure as it once was from all the windshield replacements. As I go to remove the cowl, the channel wants to come with it at some spots.

I was able to get the wiper assembly adjusted a little bit so the one blade isn't coming off the windshield as much by loosening two of the 3 bolts holding it in place. This will help in the time I'm waiting for the bracket to arrive. Thank goodness for stubby wrenches and universal joint adapters. I'm hoping to get the bracket by Friday so I can install it this weekend, but I don't think I'll be so lucky.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[imnuts]

I got out of a training class much earlier than expected, and given the weekend forecast looks like nothing but rain, I replaced the bracket this afternoon. Replacing it was actually easier than I expected, though the cowl was still a PITA. Once I got it started coming out, I put on a pair of gloves and was able to run my fingers under it to get it out the rest of the way, which wasn't bad actually. Here's a picture of the bracket too, which was probably a rain storm away from breaking completely as there was only one crack when I looked at it earlier in the week that was maybe an inch long. I did almost break things worse though as I finished up. Despite cycling the motor 4-5 times before putting the wiper arms back on, it decided it wasn't at its resting position randomly and was maybe 4-5 inches from down. So after I tightened down the arms and went to check them, they proceeded to park themselves under the hood. Fortunately nothing broke, and everything looks good now. It also helped get rid of some streaking that I was seeing after I tested it out with the wiper fluid, so that is an added bonus.