How to replace rear wiper motor '02 Limited

[rbgiatfan]

Someone snapped the rear window wiper arm on my 2002 Limited.

When I tried to remove the nut so I could replace the arm, I sheared off the spindle of the wiper motor. So now I am trying to replace the whole wiper motor. I bought a replacement motor and began the replacement process.

I removed the interior trim panel of the hatch and then the black metal plate that holds the window relay. After removing another metal access panel I was able to remove the old wiper motor. Everything was very snug in there. I had to remove a rubber plug to get to one of the wiper motor bolts.

Now my problem is, the replacement motor needs about another 3/4 inch clearance (because the spindle is not sheared off !)

Is it supposed to fit through this panel opening?

I don't want to remove all of the window lift assembly because I'm afraid I might not get it back in just right. I see lots of postings by people with problems with their rear window. I am not a mechanic and my simple window arm replacement project has already grown in scope.

Thanks !

 

[A.Wilson013]

Someone snapped the rear window wiper arm on my 2002 Limited.

When I tried to remove the nut so I could replace the arm, I sheared off the spindle of the wiper motor. So now I am trying to replace the whole wiper motor. I bought a replacement motor and began the replacement process.

I removed the interior trim panel of the hatch and then the black metal plate that holds the window relay. After removing another metal access panel I was able to remove the old wiper motor. Everything was very snug in there. I had to remove a rubber plug to get to one of the wiper motor bolts.

Now my problem is, the replacement motor needs about another 3/4 inch clearance (because the spindle is not sheared off !)

Is it supposed to fit through this panel opening?

I don't want to remove all of the window lift assembly because I'm afraid I might not get it back in just right. I see lots of postings by people with problems with their rear window. I am not a mechanic and my simple window arm replacement project has already grown in scope.

Thanks !

I am not familiar with this process, but if you can snap a couple photos, I will offer any assistance I can. I am looking up the FSM topic on this now...

 

[A.Wilson013]

Here's what the FSM has to say...

Before you get too far into it, I would wait for someone else to chime in.
[MENTION=94888]EatonKyleH[/MENTION] Could you confirm that these steps from the FSM are necessary? Removing the rear glass and such.

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

I just did this and ran into the exact same problem you did. You need to remove the bolts that hold the rear window in place so you can drop the regulator assembly down. So roll your rear window down about a 1/3rd of the way for easy clearance to the bolts. Once you get the window down you'll see the bolts for the track. Remove those (I believe there's 4) and however many bolts that are holding the regulator to the rear hatch. You should then be able to slide the regulator down,slide the rear window back up,and install the wiper motor.

 

[bill2174]

Spot on advice!

I just did this and ran into the exact same problem you did. You need to remove the bolts that hold the rear window in place so you can drop the regulator assembly down. So roll your rear window down about a 1/3rd of the way for easy clearance to the bolts. Once you get the window down you'll see the bolts for the track. Remove those (I believe there's 4) and however many bolts that are holding the regulator to the rear hatch. You should then be able to slide the regulator down,slide the rear window back up,and install the wiper motor.

Monkeybutt, thanks for the spot on advice! I of course tried this first without disassembling anything, and had a hell of a time. Didn't want to touch the window if I didn't have to. A few cuts and scrapes later I put things back together enough to lower the window a few inches, removed the 4 bolts, and had all the room in the world. Proof positive that I should have followed your advice! Thanks for getting me out of a jam!

 

[mendozer]

Holy hell I had to do this today and that was such a PITA. The glass had to come out fully. There was no way to do it otherwise. Must have taken three hours to do everything. I also wired in a camera so that took time. What an ordeal

 

[3bears]

years ago I had to do one, dont remember pulling the glass all the way out...but that was many years and projects ago. hope all is working for you now

 

[mendozer]

I suppose if you left the outermost bolts connected, then you could remove the regulator assembly and maybe get the wiper motor out but everything is so packed in there, it just seemed easier to remove the glass even though that's not the easiest either. But it allowed me to run the camera wires inside the weather stripping so everything's hidden.

 

[mendozer]

I've only ever used it in torrential downpour