Technical Frozen wiper linkage assembly

[GeigerUncounter]

I replaced my windshield wiper motor in order to solve a parasitic current issue causing a dead battery. While doing that I discovered that my windshield wiper arm assembly is completely frozen & doesn't move. The wiper motor trying to drive this locked system is probably what caused it to fail in the first place.

What's freezing the wiper assembly are the two circled components in the photo. The wiper arms attach to these, and they communicate the motor rotation to the wiper arms. I've soaked these frozen components in PB blaster penetrating oil/lubricant and I can get them to turn, but it requires an awful lot of muscle. I repeated the soaking/manual movement ~10 times over ~1 hour without much improvement to their motion.

There's a $200 replacement assembly on vickauto.com, but I'd rather get the old system working to avoid the cost. Is there any hope in getting the old components moving freely again? Any thoughts on what I might try? Or is this a lost cause & I should just replace it?

 

[348azeus]

Pop off the ball joints and keep trying . You may want to try a bit of heat as well. They don’t look rusty so should free off.

 

[124BC1]

I'd caution against using any heat, iirc, some of those wiper spindles have plastic bushes internally and if so, could melt if heated.

Some of the Fiat wiper spindles iirc had an internal rubber O ring to prevent water getting in, so if the penetrating oil doesn't seem to be getting in to where it's needed, it mighty be because of an O ring. I'd maybe drill a small hole midway down the spindle housing (large diameter below the threads) and inject penetrating oil to where it's needed through the drilled hole.

When correctly freed up, the spindles should turn without any effort - I think this is definitely achievable with patience.

Be careful when refitting the wiper assembly and making any adjustments - the self-parking mechanism, if triggered, will cause the motor to run through a full cycle potentially trapping any fingers that happen to be in the way - I generally leave the battery ground terminal loose so it can be disconnected, stopping the motor immediately, if needed.

 

[348azeus]

There is an o ring but you don’t have to blast it with a blow torch until it’s red hot a hot air gun could help. The drilling the hole idea is good.

 

[AnthonyH]

I replaced my windshield wiper motor in order to solve a parasitic current issue causing a dead battery. While doing that I discovered that my windshield wiper arm assembly is completely frozen & doesn't move. The wiper motor trying to drive this locked system is probably what caused it to fail in the first place.

What's freezing the wiper assembly are the two circled components in the photo. The wiper arms attach to these, and they communicate the motor rotation to the wiper arms. I've soaked these frozen components in PB blaster penetrating oil/lubricant and I can get them to turn, but it requires an awful lot of muscle. I repeated the soaking/manual movement ~10 times over ~1 hour without much improvement to their motion.

There's a $200 replacement assembly on vickauto.com, but I'd rather get the old system working to avoid the cost. Is there any hope in getting the old components moving freely again? Any thoughts on what I might try? Or is this a lost cause & I should just replace it?

View attachment 453611

It doesn't appear that you've used grease. PB blaster and grease work in a different way. Spray grease on them then move the parts back and forth, repeat until they move freely.