How to replace the screen wiper assembly - pictures

<span>Intro to replace wiper assembly</span>

<span>Removing the assembly: After removing the trim cap and the nut beneath from each wiper spindle, the wiper arms are gently eased up and off using two screwdrivers</span>

<span>Six plastic fasteners hold the rear of the scuttle. Use a thin screwdriver to raise the central pin, lifting it equally all around…</span>

<span>… then pull the central pin and the complete fastener should lift out. They break easily so it’s worth having a few spares for refit</span>

<span>Five small plain plug fasteners along the front of the scuttle can be levered out, working between the body and the rubber seal.</span>

<span>The scuttle can now be lifted over the wiper spindles then, bending it slightly to clear the bonnet hinges, it’s lifted out forward.</span>

<span>There are just three 10 mm AF bolts holding the wiper assembly: one at each end of the mechanism, and one centrally near the motor.</span>

<span>The motor’s electrical harness is disconnected at the multiplug here, by squeezing the harness clip top and bottom to release the clip.</span>

<span>The complete assembly of mechanism and motor can now be lifted off its mountings and withdrawn to the bench.</span>

<span>Checking the components: Only after noting the exact orientation of the motor arm and linkages (a photo helps), should the motor shaft nut be removed.</span>

<span>Then the three bolts holding the motor can be removed and the motor detached from its base plate (part of main linkage).</span>

<span>The link ball joints had wear in them, but I reconnected the motor and ran it briefly, confirming that was the source of the noise…</span>

<span>… so I bought a new motor and also a new link assembly, rather than risk those ball joints failing and having to do the job again.</span>

<span>The new motor’s bolt holes are not threaded, so each bolt is screwed in and out to cut the thread before fitting to the mechanism.</span>

Refitting the parts: The new motor is bolted into the baseplate before locating the link arm onto the motor spindle and refitting the star washer and nut.

<span>The harness socket from the motor is clipped onto the steel retaining lug projecting from the motor’s base plate.</span>

<span>Lay the wiring harness in the bottom of the recess to keep it clear while refitting the motor and link assembly.</span>

<span>Press down on the bolts (squeezing the rubber insulators) to engage threads. Overtightening damages bolt ferrule and rubber as shown here.</span>

<span>Connect and switch on to check operation. Switch off using the wiper switch, noting the spindles rotate to park position, then refit scuttle trim.</span>

<span>Press the five front fasteners through the scuttle, rubber seal and the body panel, pulling the seal out slightly and tapping them fully in.</span>

<span>The rubber seal can now be neatly aligned again between the scuttle and body panel. Spray WD40 and wipe off to clean it up.</span>

<span>Finally, fit the rear 3-legged plugs through the scuttle into the body, then insert the centre pins and tap home while holding the scuttle down.</span>