General Front wiper arm

[mum2oneplustwins]

I am a relatively new owner, only having purchased my Multi 1.9 JTD ELX 52 reg in the last few months. Until this very extreme weather hit us, I was really happy with it, especially its fuel economy.

I could cry, as I've spent £360 yesterday on a repair which sounds like a common fault on Multis especially in this weather (brake cables, rear driver's side calipers, plus the pads and shoes). The mech told me he's done a lot of this type of job. Then, as he took it for a test drive after the repair, the driver's front wiper arm snapped off because of the ice/snow. Yes, snapped off. So, anyway, I've phoned our local Fiat dealers for a quote and I'm looking at £53.74 for this part plus the cost of someone fitting it! Anyone know if I can get a cheaper one? :bang:

 

[mum2oneplustwins]

Oh, incidentally, he said I will need my other caliper replaced soon, as it is starting to bind too.

 

[BikeDoc]

You might find one in a breaker's/salvage yard.
Try one of the 'part-finder' sites, http://www.carsparefinder.co.uk/ or http://www.247spares.co.uk/browse?gclid=CIbdgJe1l58CFY8A4wodjDsmJw for example.

If you (or your other half?) can get to a breaker, I've no doubt a same length and angled one from some other makes/models would fit, there's only so many sizes of splines used, so take the old one (the part that mounts to the drive axle).
You'll probably need some sort of puller though, mine are seized solid and can't be pulled off by hand, as they should do.

 

[mum2oneplustwins]

Thanks BikeDoc - managed to get one off Pete (Ugly Bug Bits in Southampton) for £5 plus postage. Result! Hope to get it soon. Hope it's easy to fit!

 

[JTD105]

Then, as he took it for a test drive after the repair, the driver's front wiper arm snapped off because of the ice/snow. Yes, snapped off. So, anyway, I've phoned our local Fiat dealers for a quote and I'm looking at £53.74 for this part plus the cost of someone fitting it! Anyone know if I can get a cheaper one? :bang:

Surely common sense would tell you not to operate the wipers without removing the snow and ice first? ANY CAR would suffer the same. If it's frozen in place you remove the ice before operation, cup of hot water (not boiling) does the trick.

If he broke it why are you replacing it? Glad you got a cheap new one.

 

[BikeDoc]

If he broke it why are you replacing it?...

I agree, I'd missed that when I read it.
The least he can do is fit the replacement for you.
Any difficulty will be in removing the old arm (or what's left of it) from the shaft.
Make sure the replacement is in the correct position before you tighten the bolt/nut, double-check the park position is correct, as the ends of the left and right blades are pretty close together, and might catch if the arm is out of position.

 

[mum2oneplustwins]

Hmm. Might get a local mechanic to take off the old one which is snapped off at the base, and fit the new one on..... Thank god for Pete, who can be found on the other forum!

 

[taxiadam]

To help me sort out my weak washer jet pressure I need to remove my wiper arms.
I have removed the nuts holding them in place but the arms are firmly stuck in position. For now I have lightly tightened them with wd40 applied. I hope they will just work themselves loose as I use them. If not does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[JTDman]

Next time your at the dealers ask if they do a caliper repair kit, most do and its gonna be a whole lot cheaper.
I suppose if your paying a mech to repair it though it may well be the same price but most of the binding problems arise from the sliders and rubbers coroding and as far as i know the kits are not that expensive.

 

[BikeDoc]

...I hope they will just work themselves loose as I use them. If not does anyone have any suggestions?

Keep a good close eye on them.
If they're like the rear one, the spline is a fine one, and tapered.
If it does come loose and you don't catch it in time (i.e. switch them off immediately), you risk damaging the spline.
If they're a parallel spline, then they won't loosen themselves.
You'll need a puller of some sort.

 

[Zundapp]

To help me sort out my weak washer jet pressure I need to remove my wiper arms.
I have removed the nuts holding them in place but the arms are firmly stuck in position. For now I have lightly tightened them with wd40 applied. I hope they will just work themselves loose as I use them. If not does anyone have any suggestions?

It's unlikely that they'll work loose due to corrosion binding the splined shaft to the wiper arm.

Many auto shops keep a wiper arm puller tool to do the job - it's often the only way they'll come off modern cars.

You'll just have to ask nicely!

 

[taxiadam]

My wiper arms are now removed!
I took them to my usual garage and he removed them with a hammer and what looked like a large bent screwdriver. I can now remove the black plastic grill and retrieve my pliers!!

Now back to the other 'my washer jets have no pressure' thread.

Cheers everyone

 

[Kartman]

Thanks BikeDoc - managed to get one off Pete (Ugly Bug Bits in Southampton) for £5 plus postage. Result! Hope to get it soon. Hope it's easy to fit!

Hi, have you got a number for ugly bug bits ? as i have snapped my wiper arm too :lol:

Dave