Broken Windshield Wiper

[kristinmcall]

I have a 2000 Suburban that has a broken passenger side wiper. I'd really like to get an idea of what is wrong and what it will take to fix it before I take it in. It stopped working when we turned the wipers on and there was too much snow on the windshield (stupid, I know ). The drivers side wiper still works just fine but the passenger one doesn't move at all and it moves freely across the windshield when I move it. Any help would be appreciated!

[mini man 007]

you just have to change the wiper arm

[NoEcm]

Originally Posted by mini man 007

you just have to change the wiper arm

Remove the wiper arm and check the splines on both the male and female connection points. Sounds like one of the 2 are stripped.

If you're lucky, the splines on the wiper arm will be ones that are stripped. In which case, all you'll need to do is replace the wiper arm.

[j cAT]

I believe that the linkage connecting the arms together under plastic air intake for air vent is damaged or possibly popped out of pivot ball socket...I doubt that the arm mounting fastener is stripped as that is the stongest part of w/wiper ......

[J-Ri]

I have seen dozens of vehicles (just this year) whose owners use the wipers to clear snow off with broken components. About half are stripped studs/wiper connection and about half are broken/bent linkage.

Pull the nut off the arm first, because you'll have to remove it to remove anything else anyway. bend the spring part of the arm straight and wiggle the arm, it will usually come off that way. If not, get a top-post battery terminal puller and use that. If you get a bunch of metal shavings that fall out when you remove the arm, you've found your problem. I have not yet seen the splines strip off the stud on the transmission, it's always on the wiper arm, I think it's designed with tougher metal for that reason. Sometimes you can clean the softer metal off the stud with a pick and re-use the old arm, even some new arms come without splines. Just don't go too tight or you'll snap the stud off the transmission.