Fml!

[jbmccul]

So I was going to give the runner a little TLC today by giving it a good wash. Went to pull out of my garage and didn't realize that I had left my rear hatch up. So, I ended up driving out of the garage with my hatch open and snapped the rear wiper blade off. Any idea how much this thing will cost to replace?

 

[jbmccul]

 

[glock56534]

The entire wiper arm isn't very expensive, some people replace them every time the wiper blade needs replacement. IIRC, it is under $30.

However, from the looks of the bottom picture, it does look like you bent the threaded end that the arm attaches to. That might not be an easy fix. The end cap pops right off and exposes a nut, which can be taken off with a socket or a wrench (I believe it is a 10mm nut). Take the wiper assembly off and see if the threaded end is bent. Then troubleshoot from there...

 

[jbmccul]

Just ran out to try what you suggested, I managed to put the rubber piece back in and it looks flush and normal. Also tried running the wiper and everything looks as if it is functioning normal. However, i can't seem to figure out how to get to the bolt you mentioned

 

[mndanielsncsu]

My rear wiper got ripped off at a car wash, so the manager agreed to replace it for me. The whole arm and new blade cost $90 at my local stealership.

 

[glock56534]

If the rubber piece is sitting flush and the threaded end looks like it's in the middle of the hole, then you probably didn't bend it.

As for getting to the nut, the end cap will pull right out (then it will be on an angle), then just spread the two little "wings" apart (the tips of the horseshoe looking piece) and it will come free.

If the nut is rusted/corroded pretty bad, it will help to spray it with some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or WD-40 and let it soak for a while before even trying to get that nut loose.

 

[jbmccul]

Update

Took the runner up to the dealer today and a hour and $54 later I had a new windshield wiper arm.

The good: my windshield wiper is still functioning.

The bad: the wiper blade is not sitting flush with the back window. The service writer said that it appeared that I bent part of the tear hatch where it meets the blade, it's almost impossible to see however I could feel the bend. He said that it was either a problem with the wiper motor or the bent hatch was the problem. I decided for now to just leave it as is and try to diagnose the problem. Don't want up make a claim on my insurance just for a rear windshield wiper.

 

[MICA4R]

:roadkill:
Dude totally sucks! Sorry to hear about that!
I feel your pain.


Could have been a LOT worse.
Here is my funny story in retrospect.

I was in the passenger seat of the Benz (1984) working on the radio, all crammed into the passenger foot area when my elbow hit the gearshift and bumped from P to R to N. No brake application required back then. F m l the car started rolling out the garage the drivers door was open and hit the front of the riding lawn mower pushed it back into the garage post, luckily the 4500 lbs of German steel only bent the drivers door back and then destroyed the frame and muffler of the tractor.

End result

Benz door that opens to almost 90degrees :jump:
Loud as hell riding mower the never drove straight again.
Nice bend in the garage door track hammered it right out.


---------

Another fml story. I had a jellybean previa in 1992. In 1993 my 3 yr old Nephew was climbing around the car and hit the garage door opener as we were unloading the van. garage door closed on an open maroon colored hatch. Which then left a nice bare steel colored pinstripe pattern across the rear trunk.
:happens:

 

[jbmccul]

@MICA4R
Thanks for those stories, makes my windshield wiper look minuscule, it still functions but just wont reach the window. But hey, as long as it looks right I don't really care, i'd rather spend $50 bucks and have it look right than spend $500 to have it make contact, hey trucks don't need them, why do we???

And that's definitely a custom Benz you have there, reverse the hinge location of the rear doors and make it into a Rolls

 

[zerowkul98]

My quick FML story...

Changing oil in my old Suzuki Sidekick..had the front-end up on some metal service ramps and the ride was so rusted out the driver's-side shock tower rotted out and came up right thru the hood. F....M....L!!!!

 

[jbmccul]

We should turn it into the official FML thread