Front wiper arm adjustment

[imhighlander]

Hey, all. Merry Xmas/happy holidays.

We recently took the 99 Limited through a car wash - the kind with the big felt rollers - and during the cycle the overhead roller messed up our wiper arms. As the roller was hitting the windshield we heard a "click" sound and both front wipers moved up a notch or two. Now the wipers are only part way down in the "down position" and when in the up position, they are too far over. As a result, when they're on the driver's side wiper actually extends beyond the edge of the windshield.

I figure the arms are on splined shafts and that the car wash roller hit the wipers hard enough to make the arms jump a spline or two. I'm about to tear into them but I'm hoping someone on here has had to make a similar adjustment and have some advice or "gotchas" to avoid.

Any help or hints appreciated. Otherwise I'll tear into them and share what I find.

 

[imhighlander]

Easy diy

Alright, so I'm almost embarrassed how easy this repair was. I figured it would be straightforward but I'm used to working on over-engineered BMWs, so I wasn't sure if I'd run into something weird. Turns out this is easier and quicker than vacuuming the floorboards.

Here are pics of the messed up wipers necessitating this repair.

Down position:

Up position:

First, carefully remove the black plastic cap that covers the splined shaft where the wiper arm mounts. This will expose a 12mm nut that holds the arm in place.

Remove the 12mm nut, lift the wiper arm and gently wiggle the arm off the splined shaft.

Closeup of splined shaft:

Realign the wiper arm as necessary, securely holding the base of the wiper arm on the splined shaft to verify alignment. Once you're happy with the alignment, with the wiper arm folded up to make sure the arm seats properly on the shaft, tighten the 12mm nut. I didn't check the torque requirement but get it German ("guttentight").

Do the same for the other wiper arm if it's also misaligned.

Replace the plastic caps that cover the shaft nut. One of mine was cracked so I put a little dab of all-weather glue to help keep it in place.

All done:

Open beer and congratulate yourself on completing the single easiest repair you'll ever do. It will take longer to drink the beer than it will take to do this job. (Unless you're still drinking from a funnel.)

Cheers.

 

[Gerdo]

Nice work.
I was going to suggest exactly what you did. I'm guessing that since they both popped up equally that the splined end on the motor slipped. If the sweep on the wipers is good now I wouldn't worry and run it as is.

 

[imhighlander]

...the splined end on the motor slipped.

That's my fear, but I'm hoping that the sweep is adequate. Since we're on the road until 12/28 I'm hoping this is good enough to work. If not, I'll be tearing into the motor when we get back home to my own tools and (heated & well-lit) garage.

 

[G-C@T]

Wiper Arm Nut Part Number

Does anyone have a part number for the 12mm nut that holds the arm on?
Google has failed me.

 

[TheDurk]

Does anyone have a part number for the 12mm nut that holds the arm on?
Google has failed me.

Wiper Arm Nut - Toyota (90179-08113)
Torque is 15ft-lbs.

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-wiper-arm-nut-9017908113


PS. Not a 12mm nut. It's an M8 nut that takes a 12mm wrench. Pet peeve.

 

[G-C@T]

Ordered. Thanks!