Wiper arm removal

[DrZEUS]

I finally had some time to start my Podi gauge install today. I want to run the wires through the ECU compartment so I proceeded to attempt to remove the driver's side wiper arm to be able to get to the ECU. I removed the wiper nut and started pulling on the arm. Wouldn't budge. So I grabbed a long flathead screwdriver to help pry the arm off from the top. A slight slip and I ended up cracking my windshield!



I am fuming at my stupidty and at this damn wiper arm for giving me such a hard time. Looks like it's going to cost me a pretty penny....$1000 bucks!

Anyway, any tips to help remove this bloody wiper arm? I sprayed some WD-40 to help loosen it but no luck.

[elwigglero]

Haven't removed mine, but any kind of penetrating fluid like PB blaster should help. Sucks about the windshield.

[spoon]

sorry, that sucks.

I had to remove mine to spray them and figured out it wasn't budging because I was pulling/prying at it from the wrong angle to the bolt. Shimmy-ing it around while pulling up proved more successful and much easier.

[DrZEUS]

Ive tried prying from all angles...nothing. I'm ready to take a sledgehammer to it....heck, the windshield is already cracked.

I'm going to the washroom to puke now....still in shock about the cracks.

[CorneliusRox]

I havent done mine yet, but on a couple cars I have worked on you need to bend it up at like a 45deg angle and then pull. kind of a safely feature. try that.

Also, my shield is cracked too from a damn semi loosing cargo and in Michigan it isnt their fault.... Let me know how much it runs you

[mr shickadance]

it took 3 people at speedsport tuning to be able to get my windshield wiper off......apparently the trick is to bend it 45 degrees.....either way, save yourself the headache and leave the screw for the ECU (the one you needed to pull the wiper for anyway ) off so that should you need to get to it in the future it will already be off.....you will be fine trust me

[audi49]

Tried to get to the wiper linkage to lubricate it. That necessitates removing the wiper arms as far as i can tell. I tried various techniques and various semi-homemade tools and gave up. I've seen ECS Tuning sells a specific puller tool for wiper arms but they sell it in a set of different kinds - so overkill for just one wiper design.
Regarding the windshield... if you've never had the experience - i'd get an Audi OEM windshield and make sure that someone experienced and that cares about alignment of the windshield does the work. Good luck.

[Apollo]

Some people have had success using WD40 and using the wiggle method (this is what I did). Takes a fair amount of patience though. Others have gone to places like Pep Boys/AutoZone and bought a wiper arm puller tool for $10-$15 and have had great success with that. One trick to use it is to loosen the nut about three turns and then leave it on the while you use the tool. This creates a little bowl shape for the tool to sit in, otherwise it slips off the post. It takes like one minute to get the arm off.

Mark your windshield with tape so you know the correct angle for the new arms!!! Otherwise you'll be guessing...

[rings65]

^^^^^^Okay - actually read the post above mine! Same experience, process, and outcome^^^^^^^^^^^

I broke down and bought a generic wiper puller from Autozone - best money I spent. Takes a little wrangling to get it on right and I have to leave the nut on after loosening it to give the puller something to press against, but it pops them right off.

[matthewb2795]

I used a tie rod puller and it popped off in a few seconds.

[blazeblunts4]

Yeah once you get the angle right it comes straight out. At first I was pulling so hard and it wouldn't budge, because I was trying to pull it out of its teeth ( the wiper has metal teeth holding it ), but after I figured out the angle, i took it in and out a couple times no problem. Sucks about your windshield though, good luck

[bitskyline]

I use channel locks with some rubber or tape on the ends so it does not scratch, hook one end under the arm and the other on the top of the "bolt" squeeze a bit then move it to the other side and it will pop right off.

[yungcotter]

I think Phil said the easiest way is to get a 2 arm bearing puller.

[rongeur]

I ran into a similar difficulty when installing my gauge. I ended up turning the wiper nut upside down and running in onto the threads til it was flush the the threaded post. This leaves 2-3mm below the nut. Then use some wd40 or pb down at the wiper/motor interface. I had success with gently tapping the nut with a hammer (in my good hand) and at the same time gently prying the arm up with a bicycle tire tool to create a tension. Popped right off.

[DrZEUS]

Thanks for the tips guys...gonna attempt this again sometime next week.

BTW, got some more quotes on the windshield...direct OEM replacement with install for $590 (CDN)...not as bad as I thought it would be....but still one helluva expensive boost gauge install! lol

[80sGuy]

Minor thread-jack, well, almost....
You'll also need to get a new gel pad for the rearview mirror so that they are not using the old one otherwise it will fall off in time. After the job is done, check the upper rubber seal/gasket between the roof and the glass, the gaps on the left/right sides. You'd have to remove those black clip-on moldings to see, they are super easy, just pull them off. Make sure they are all perfectly align otherwise you'll be getting some serious wind noise. It happened to me when I had mine replaced. The upper seals were uneven and the windshield was placed a bit too far to the right (about 1mm, yep that was all it took). I was driving on the freeway and the wind noise were horrendous. They had to redo the whole thing again by carefully removing the seal, then the entire windshield out.

Takes lots of pics so that you can compare them afterwards.

[DrZEUS]

thanks for the heads up 80sGuy...I will take pics to compare and pay attention to the alighment of the windshield and the mouldings

[DrZEUS]

Update:

Got a new windshield.

Still cant remove the damn wiper arm. I picked up one of those universal wiper arm removal tools and cant even get under the arm because the rain tray is in the way. I want to drive the car off the bridge!

[groundround]

did mine when i installed my gauge. More of a wiggle and lift and it will come.

wait till you need to put your ECU cover back on :) that was the frustrating part

[DrZEUS]

I've wiggled, pryed, cracked a windshield in the process, bent, pulled, hammered, PB blasted, and its a lost cause.....

I don't know what else to do to get this sucker off. I've butchered the rain tray in the process too. I seriously want to take a sledgehammer to this POS.

Here is a pic of the tool I picked up that I can't get to fit under the arm. Can anyone post a pic of the tool they used to remove the arm and what brand it is?

[zhemel]

Are the teeth all chewed up on the wiper motor were the wiper arm is attached?

[80sGuy]

Couple things I found out about owning my A4:
1.) In order to change the front signal bulbs, the front bumper has to come off, seriously, is this for real?
2.) And now, changing wiper blades can cost you a windshield.
WTF?!?!

[DrZEUS]

Are the teeth all chewed up on the wiper motor were the wiper arm is attached?

No the wiper works fine....I am trying to remove the wiper arm in order to get to the ECU compartment so I can install my Podi gauge!

[DrZEUS]

Couple things I found out about owning my A4:
1.) In order to change the front signal bulbs, the front bumper has to come off, seriously, is this for real?
2.) And now, changing wiper blades can cost you a windshield.
WTF?!?!

Not the wiper blades...the actual wiper arms.

[jmarch1122]

Wow, thats sucks to have to pay for a new windshield. Where I live in MA, insurances are mandated to cover windshield replacement, for free-I don't even think I paid a deductible last time I had one replaced front a stone chip... that grew bigger.

Funny thing was there was this small chip right in front of the drivers seat that appeared suspiciously after I let my sister use my car. Then I was pissed off and was trying to get the attention of someone in front of my car and I banged on the glass with the bottom of my fist and it just spidered. That was on a Toyota though.

[80sGuy]

If you've recently replaced a windshield because of the culprit, I'd seriously think twice before messing with it again. That pic looks like a pain in the ass, not sure how you're gonna get it out.

[SanFranCitizen]

Okay, I know this is a really old thread, but 1) I found it useful today and 2) I have some tips to add:

* The trick is to PUSH - not pull - the wiper arms. If you depress the wiper arm against the windshield, releasing the pressure of the blade and wiper arm spring, the tension shifts away from the far (right) side of the round base of the arm that slides over the bolt. You are releasing the last bit of cantilever pressure that normally keeps the blades against the glass.

* I used my left hand to push the arm down, pliers covered in tape with my right. Definitely helped to let some 3-in-1 oil sit on the nuts for about sandwich-and-a-beer minutes, and used pliers the way someone else described using channel locks - good call @bitskyline .

So...if anyone wants to buy some used and slightly rough but workable windshield cowls, let me know. They're functional and great for a budget B5 A4 build, or someone crafty could probably replace the top edge and make them like-new. $20 for both sides + shipping.

[vvenom800tt]

They make a tool for wiper arm removal, Its essentially a small 2 arm puller. A guy i work with has one.

[allstock]

I watched a technician repair the rain guard and the ECU housing (that he broke) on my car. He did it with hood up and the wiper off. Once he removed the nut he just started tugging and wiggling up and out then it popped off. It did look like it was gonna rip off; He was a little guy too.

[mec]

Maybe I'm alone on this one but its always super easy when I do it.
Remove cap, remove 16mm nut.
Bend wiper blade arm back to 90*, pull back and up. Comes right off each time.

[flasheverything]

posting this in 2019 for people with issues removing wiper arms for wiper arm linkage & or motor replacement, you need THIS tool, i've done extensive r&b and don't buy or rent anything else. I recommend when removing the arms have them in top position instead of resting place. Trust me future people don't listen to other people tool advice you're not gonna have a good time, if you can't take them off by pryin & wiggling (without breaking the glass) this is THE only useful tool around $22 CAD



it's called a 2 Jaw Bearing Puller Remover

[Theiceman]

I dont trust people who say trust me, why would I?

You dont need any special tools for this job
All you need is a bit of propane heat. Heat the arm up around the spline . Wiggle it off with gloves on. Pops right off.



Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app

[mcpcartier]

I dont trust people who say trust me, why would I?

You dont need any special tools for this job
All you need is a bit of propane heat. Heat the arm up around the spline . Wiggle it off with gloves on. Pops right off.



Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app

I trust you.....but that's because you never said to!

[Theiceman]

I trust you.....but that's because you never said to!

Lol.


Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app

[beefski]

Do you carry glass coverage with your auto insurance? If so, make a claim. If not, add it and wait a month or so and make a claim.

[blubusdrvr]

* The trick is to PUSH - not pull - the wiper arms. If you depress the wiper arm against the windshield, releasing the pressure of the blade and wiper arm spring, the tension shifts away from the far (right) side of the round base of the arm that slides over the bolt. You are releasing the last bit of cantilever pressure that normally keeps the blades against the glass.

I just did this and pulled the right one off with a gear puller. I couldn't get to the left one without removing the hood so of course I turned to Audizine. This little trick worked like a charm. It came right off. No tools! Thanks SF Citizen! i owe you a beer!