Changing wiper arm...

TheDean · 2 Aug 2011 at 10:52

So,

Trying to replace the rear wiper blade on my '07 Leon FR, the plastic 'catch' has snapped on the plastic arm cover, and now it will no longer hold the blade in place. I've received a replacement Golf mk6 rear wiper arm, cap & wiper blade, but have no idea how to fit it.

I have removed the old cap and nut, but the arm seems firmly attached from the inside. Is that the case? Do I have to open the boot to get at it from the inside?

paradigm · 2 Aug 2011 at 10:53

If it is anything like my old MK1 Leon's rear wiper arm, once the nut is off, you just need an epic amount of force to pull it off the spindle.

TheDean · 2 Aug 2011 at 10:55

paradigm said:
If it is anything like my old MK1 Leon's rear wiper arm, once the nut is off, you just need an epic amount of force to pull it off the spindle.

I did think that, but there are rubber seals there, and I'm worried I'll break the back window!

Bill101 · 2 Aug 2011 at 11:25

WD40 or some penetrating oil should help. They can be quite tight on the toothed spindle

TheDean · 2 Aug 2011 at 11:45

Bill101 said:
WD40 or some penetrating oil should help. They can be quite tight on the toothed spindle

Anything to watch out for? Is it just a case of applying brute force?

DirtyJester · 2 Aug 2011 at 12:49

TheDean said:
Anything to watch out for? Is it just a case of applying brute force?

If you don't have a set of pullers then yes it is pretty much brute force, best to try and wiggle it as you pull. Also worth a try before you start pulling is to slacken off the retaining nut so it is just proud of the splined shaft the arm is attached to and give it a small tap with a mallet or hammer just to shock it.

TheDean · 2 Aug 2011 at 13:06

DirtyJester said:
If you don't have a set of pullers then yes it is pretty much brute force, best to try and wiggle it as you pull. Also worth a try before you start pulling is to slacken off the retaining nut so it is just proud of the splined shaft the arm is attached to and give it a small tap with a mallet or hammer just to shock it.

There a rubber seal around it, and it's not for moving at all. WD40 wouldn't help as I can't even see what's sticking, as it's likely behing the rubber seals. I've just had another go now, and there's no way it's moving, so it'll have to go to the garage, as I'm not risking breaking the motor / window. So frustrating... :mad:

DirtyJester · 2 Aug 2011 at 13:18

What's sticking is the hardened splines off the steel shaft which have cut into the softer alloy of the wiper arm casing. It sticks together like poo to a blanket.

paradigm · 2 Aug 2011 at 13:19

Just to show you it literally is "that simple". I've installed ELSA (VAG Workshop Manual), and found the relevant page:

The rubber seal is at the bottom, where the glass is, should have nothing to do with removing the arm.

Obviously you have to remove the nut and pull, rather than loosen the nut and use the "special tool", but the process is the same.

TheDean · 2 Aug 2011 at 13:35

You can see the rubber seal there. The wiper arm looks as though it is not being held by anything, but seemingly it will not pull off.

paradigm · 2 Aug 2011 at 13:42

Yeah, you need some royal oil/WD40/GT85 on the spline, where it's passing through the metal "core" of the wiper arm.

Then you need to get something between the rubber seal and the plastic of the arm, and... pull.