How to Adjust Wiper Arms
There are many variables that can cause wiper arms got out of adjustment on your vehicle. Snow and ice built up on the arms when you turn on the wiper motor in order to clear the windshield is usually the main culprit. No matter what the cause, however, realigning them is not all that difficult, and with a few basic tools you can readjust them yourself and save some money for the labor charge your local service station will charge.
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Things You'll Need
- Straight-edged screwdriver or small angled pry bar
- 3/8-inch drive ratchet
- 3/8-inch drive socket set
Instructions
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1
Determine whether you can get to the bottom of the wiper arm with the hood open or closed. Do not start wiper arms prior to this. Make sure the key is not in the ignition and the wiper motor is in the "off" position.
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2
Flip open the plastic snap cover at the bottom of the wiper arm using a small angled pry bar or a straight-edged screwdriver.
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3
Size up the nut under the snap cover with a 3/8-inch drive socket and loosen with ratchet. Remove nut.
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4
Use the screwdriver or pry bar to gently but forcefully lift the wiper arm off of the spindled arbor.
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5
Hold the wiper arm just above the spindled arbor and reinsert in the position that you want it to be when it is in the "off" position.
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6
Re-tighten the nut. Turn the key in the ignition and test the wiper arm to make sure it's swiping the windshield properly. If not, adjust as needed until the desired position is achieved. Repeat the procedure on the other wiper arm, if necessary. Make sure to snap the cover back down onto the wiper arm nut.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to always clear ice and snow or any debris from your wiper arms before turning them on. If adjusting them does not work, there may be internal problems with the motor and rods that would require more intensive work to fix. Make sure if there are any windshield washer lines affixed to the wiper arm that they remain intact and properly aligned to allow them to spray the windshield when needed. Be careful with the tension spring in the wiper arm when you remove it. You do not have to lift it completely off--just take it off the arbor enough to move it to the desired off position.
