Rear wiper almost not touching the window

[IK13]

The rear wiper blade on my '05 makes almost no contact with the window. Swings fine and gets back to "base", but is useless for actually wiping anything as it doesn't touch the glass.

Any ideas?

 

[steve germany]

The rear wiper blade on my '05 makes almost no contact with the window. Swings fine and gets back to "base", but is useless for actually wiping anything as it doesn't touch the glass.

Any ideas?

I just noticed the same thing on my '06 in the snow/ice. I'm going to check my rear defroster and ensure that the rear window is up all the way and the the rear hatch contacts are not impeaded.

 

[IK13]

If the window is not up all the way, the wiper won't swing at all.

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

This came up a month or so ago. I think the thread ended up agreeing it was likely due to the metal spring in the arm assembly freezing up and not pushing the blade up to the window in cold weather.

 

[IK13]

Not much of a cold weather in SoCal.
Went up the mountain last week, but it was doing it before that for sure...

 

[T4RSpectreSix]

Ah, I gotcha. Well in that case, I really don't know.

When I encountered this it was during a cold snap. The wiper worked fine after the temps rose.

 

[Canuckcarguy]

You might want to try lubing the hinge on the wiper. The back window area gets pretty gritty, so that hinge will stop being as efficient as the vehicle sees more miles.

 

[DanLuo4Runner]

I've wrestled with this problem for some time now. I've replaced the blade, spring, wiper arm(completely), and no change. The wiper blade barely touched the glass. Otherwise, it worked fine. The only solution is this. You need to remove the arm assembly from the splined motor shaft, then remove the wiper blade. Take the Spring out and separate the short mounting part from the longer arm section. The secret is to shave about 1/4" off the end of the large arm stop that makes contact with the short mounting part. The spring goes directly through this area. No more than 1/4", as that will decrease the angle that the arm takes to the window. Reinstall the spring, attach the short mounting part to the long arm section, mount wiper blade and return assembly to the splined motor shaft. You're done. End of problem forever. Enjoy................

 

[stevec5000]

I've wrestled with this problem for some time now. I've replaced the blade, spring, wiper arm(completely), and no change. The wiper blade barely touched the glass. Otherwise, it worked fine. The only solution is this. You need to remove the arm assembly from the splined motor shaft, then remove the wiper blade. Take the Spring out and separate the short mounting part from the longer arm section. The secret is to shave about 1/4" off the end of the large arm stop that makes contact with the short mounting part. The spring goes directly through this area. No more than 1/4", as that will decrease the angle that the arm takes to the window. Reinstall the spring, attach the short mounting part to the long arm section, mount wiper blade and return assembly to the splined motor shaft. You're done. End of problem forever. Enjoy................

So how do you remove the arm assembly from the splined motor shaft?

 

[Stuck CAPS]

The rear wiper blade on my '05 makes almost no contact with the window. Swings fine and gets back to "base", but is useless for actually wiping anything as it doesn't touch the glass.

Any ideas?

Check the little nub type deal covering the spring from the mechanical arm to the actual blade... mine broke, and this problem started.

 

[2big4arunner]

I have been looking at making a new arm to replace this plastic older arm. Something you can get from the auto wreckers. The closest one I found was for a windstar and it would need a little tweaking for the more adventuresome types. I will try to post my solution here in a week or so.

 

[stevec5000]

I had to use a puller to get the arm off then trimmed a little off where it contacts the mounting part but that didn't help and it still won't wipe the glass at the top of the window. I don't think the spring is strong enough to pull it against the glass hard enough to make contact with the entire surface.

 

[DanLuo4Runner]

So how do you remove the arm assembly from the splined motor shaft?

use a small pulley to grab the arm and pull off the shaft then use the instructions above to really correct the problem. I have pictures of the parts if you're not sure what area of the arm to shave. Good luck.

 

[iBison]

So how do you remove the arm assembly from the splined motor shaft?

If you're me and it's last night you first try pulling it off, then you get a puller which does nothing other than start to damage the threads. Then you get out the channel locks and break the plastic part off of the aluminum center part that mounts on the motor shaft. After that you get out the dremel and make a cut in the top and bottom of the center metal piece. But not until you make a hole in a piece of cardboard and put it over the shaft so you don't scratch the paint. Then break the piece by twisting a screwdriver in the slots you cut in the metal center piece. Don't forget the swearing as well.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Can you guys post some pictures? I don't understand what is so difficult about getting the arm off? Maybe in saltier areas it corrodes the material a bit, but I have not had any issues with either wiggling or rocking the wiper arm some after taking the nut off (careful not to bend the motor shaft!) Also, do yourself a favor and trim the tab off the plastic cap so you can pull the wiper away from the window without braking the polymer arm when changing the rear blade.

 

[DanLuo4Runner]

Look at the pics in my photo album to see the area that needs shaving to get the arm to apply greater pressure to the window. This is a great fix to this nagging problem. Mine is working great and seems to be a permanent fix to the problem. It's also an easy fix once you get the arm off and disassembled.

 

[WXman]

Looks like the PO couldn't get the arm off on mine either...because it's cracked at the part that slides over the splines and has been repaired. These arms are just too damn hard to get off. Should probably use grease on them.

 

[DanLuo4Runner]

The rear wiper blade on my '05 makes almost no contact with the window. Swings fine and gets back to "base", but is useless for actually wiping anything as it doesn't touch the glass.

Any ideas?

I've wrestled with this problem for some time now. I've replaced the blade, spring, wiper arm(completely), and no change. The wiper blade barely touched the glass. Otherwise, it worked fine. The only solution is this. You need to remove the arm assembly from the splined motor shaft, then remove the wiper blade. Take the Spring out and separate the short mounting part from the longer arm section. The secret is to shave about 1/4" off the end of the large arm stop that makes contact with the short mounting part. The spring goes directly through this area. No more than 1/4", as that will decrease the angle that the arm takes to the window. Reinstall the spring, attach the short mounting part to the long arm section, mount wiper blade and return assembly to the splined motor shaft. You're done. End of problem forever. Enjoy................

 

[stevec5000]

I tried shaving about 1/4" off the end of the large arm stop but since the blade touches the glass before the stop makes contact that didn't make any difference. Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[DanLuo4Runner]

Clunking Noise in front end when going over bumps

I have a 4th gen 4Runner limited with 169000 miles in great condition. However i have a noise in the front end when i go over bumps in the road. It's not anti rattle clips on the brake pads as Ive replaced them with new and they are quiet. WHat is it?