Wiper assembly - urgent help

[mannyo]

Had loads of rain here in dorset, and now I have problems with the wipers. Basically the passenger side was juddering at the top end of the movement, and I could see that the scuttle panel was moving as well.

Now the rain has stopped, I have been outside to investigate and the problem is not the blades but the mechanism. The passenger side wiper spindle has loads of play in it. When you pull the arms off the screen you can rock the arm and spindle about, I think the arm is fully attached to the splines. Keep in mind I did remove the nut last weekend to see if I could work out why the cap I bought did not fit. Maybe the nut is not tight enough, but the arm is engaged ok on the splines.

I have a feeling the damage has been self inflicted, but I also have a feeling its going to be a pain in the backside to fix (and costly). My dad had a go at the fitting the wiper arm cap after I got a replacement, and tried to tap it into place and this has obviously broken something.

Feeling really down now and the D3 is starting to get on my nerves, its just one thing after another.

How does the assembly work, I have a feeling I'll be taking the car apart at the weekend. Before doing anything major I am going to remove the cap again and check that the nut is tight and that the arm has just not come loose, although I would have expected it to jump splines if it were loose.

[M-A8]

Oh man, I feel for you, this must ends soon.
I've got no idea how it works.
My Mrs took over my office for an hour where I've got ETKA and Elsa, but as soon she is off I can jump on my office PC and see if can get you some info, fitting locations, drawings....????

[mannyo]

Marcin, I found a picture on ebay of an a8parts one. Looking at that there is not a lot that can go wrong, the spindle causing the problem is the closest in the picture below. I am going to check the wiper arm nut, since I removed it last weekend and maybe its loose I don't know. As long as its not raining in the morning I'll try that before heading to work.



I had a quick look at Etka but the drawing is not that great.

[M-A8]

That was my next advice, find a picture of a used one online and see whats there.
I really hope it wont be a complete replacement and it will all go well mate, will keep my fingers crossed Manny

[snapdragon]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...ighlight=wiper

Is this any use?
I looks like the Phaeton wipers but hard to tell from photos and they have regular spindle problems. I know they have seperate motors and we have one, but the spindles look the same.

[ScottD3]

Manny, take the wiper off, give the spindle a good clean with metal brush, wipe it down and make sure it's all clean.
Then pit the nut on and tighten down.

I had my A4 arms do the same and it was the nut

Past experience with Audi and BMW, it will take a lot of hitting and force to really break it.
Unless you're unlucky and the spindle has gone but if you take the cap off and wiggle the arm does the spindle move on it's own?

[mannyo]

Been outside this morning, since 7am getting to the bottom of the problem.

Removed the cap and wiggled the arm, and the whole lot moves, nut spindle and everything.
Removed nut, removed wiper arm and I am able to move the spindle in the bushings by hand. The movement is very small, but once the arm is on its magnified by the length of the arm.

So the bush on the passenger side is worn. I'll order a replacement linkage, found one on ebay that comes from a low mileage car so I'll order that and take it from there.

I've put it back together, and will live with it until I can replace the part.

Annoying as I was looking at retrofitting AMI and DVB-T but these little things keep cropping up.

[ScottD3]

Any idea what its like to get the wiper arm out?

[mannyo]

To remove the linkage is a piece of cake, already researched that.
Remove both arms,
Remove plenum covers from both sides,
Remove the lower trim from the windscreen,
Disconnect wiring to motor
Remove three bolts and lift out
Reverse to refit.

The picture below is the one I have ordered, its already dispatched. You can see it here attached to the car it was removed from. The picture shows the assembly with the plenum and screen trim removed.

[mannyo]

Now got the part, exactly as pictured above. Manufactured date is November 2007 and there is no play in the bushings at all unlike the one currently on my car.