Wiper Arm Tapered Hole...

Should the internal wiper arm tapered hole (where it mounts to the gearbox) be grooved???

We had an ice storm last night/today, and while driving home (after chipping most of the ice away) a chunk of ice got caught under the pass side wiper arm and threw the wiper synch off...

When I got home & took it off, the wiper arm tapered hole has an almost polished, smooth look...Where most of the wiper arms I've worked on were grooved...

I won't be able to get to a dealer till the middle of next week (left the wiper arm off), but does anyone know now if I need a new one or is this one still usable???

The splines on the shaft are very very fine, more of a "grip" surface than an actual indexing mechanism, but you might have stripped them.

Brent

Originally posted by OffroadX
The splines on the shaft are very very fine, ...

The shaft splines (couldn't remember that word!) seem OK (after I clean out the amuninum shavings), but is the wiper arm also splined to match??? Or is it supposed to be smooth???

Yes, they are. Sounds like you might have stripped 'em.

Brent

I haven't checked and I can't remember, but isn't there a plastic insert inside the wiper arm that matches the spindles ?? 2$ swap and it should be good to go.

Originally posted by Xcanuk
I haven't checked and I can't remember, but isn't there a plastic insert inside the wiper arm that matches the spindles ??

Not on this arm...Steel shaft on gearbox; aluminum arm...No insert...

Guess I need a new arm... :(