Hi all

I need to remove my windscreen wiper arm to rotate it a couple of notches on the splines because the blade has been striking the window pillar. Simple job I thought. I bought a pulling tool (see pics) but it’s arms do not fit into the tight space available within the plastic moulding. The wiper arm seems like it’s welded on 😬and won’t budge a millimetre despite use of wd40.

I was thinking of gun powder next but would welcome any advice on a more practical solution. Thanks.

Edited 13 March, 20224 yr by Tony12
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Give it a spray and try again next weekend. 

6 minutes ago, Tony12 said:

I need to remove my windscreen wiper arm to rotate it a couple of notches on the splines

OK, the splines are taper splines, so the arm gets tighter on the pivot as you do up the nut.

 

To release the arm, undo the nut a bit, maybe 2 turns. Now stand the arm up, like if you're cleaning the base of the windscreen. Hold it at the blade end and try to push pull it around the pivot on the arm. You should feel it release.

 

If that fails, spray it with a dismantling lubricant such as PlusGas, and go for a cuppa. Do not bother with Water Dispersant-40.

4 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

To release the arm, undo the nut a bit, maybe 2 turns. Now stand the arm up, like if you're cleaning the base of the windscreen. Hold it at the blade end and try to push pull it around the pivot on the arm. You should feel it release.

 

That has always worked for me except for if the wiper arms have never been removed for a decade or have lost their protective caps & are severley corroded, the rear wiper on the Yeti by its design having a 180° open area for the washer jet leaves the threaded spindle and splines completely exposed, that one was really tough going and needed a slim puller, wooden wedges and tapping the spindle which risked breaking the rear screen.

 

use a hammer , block of wood and  cold chisel, 

like below link

click on how to remove a wiper arm without a puller

https://www.google.com/search?q=wiper+arm+puller&sxsrf=APq-WBuL_YOmv6v0il3hcVz44j_NBM9cag%3A1647170941381&source=hp&ei=fdUtYui9FYqigAaW6JjoDA&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYi3jjZs5XKP8JOnl0VTb-e9fbvEe8ozW&oq=wiper+arm+pu&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6DAgjECcQnQIQRhCAAjoECCMQJzoLCC4QgAQQsQMQgwE6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOg4ILhCABBCxAxDHARCjAjoLCC4QgAQQxwEQowI6CAgAEIAEELEDOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoLCC4QgAQQxwEQrwE6CAgAEIAEEMkDOgUIABCSA1AAWI0xYPlDaABwAHgAgAGNA4gBiAqSAQgxMC4xLjAuMZgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz#kpvalbx=_itUtYoyAK8f4gQad0IjwAg23

Edited 13 March, 20224 yr by 310golfr

25 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

OK, the splines are taper splines, so the arm gets tighter on the pivot as you do up the nut.

 

To release the arm, undo the nut a bit, maybe 2 turns. Now stand the arm up, like if you're cleaning the base of the windscreen. Hold it at the blade end and try to push pull it around the pivot on the arm. You should feel it release.

Thanks, but the way the wipers are recessed below the bonnet line on the Octavia this isn’t possible, with the bonnet up or down.

I did apply wd40 last weekend, not made any difference, but noted it’s not the best stuff to release a fixing that hasn’t been touched since it left the factory in 2012.

I think this will be a wedges and chisel job as suggested here.

16 minutes ago, 310golfr said:

 

use a hammer , block of wood and  cold chisel, 

like below link

click on how to remove a wiper arm without a puller

https://www.google.com/search?q=wiper+arm+puller&sxsrf=APq-WBuL_YOmv6v0il3hcVz44j_NBM9cag%3A1647170941381&source=hp&ei=fdUtYui9FYqigAaW6JjoDA&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYi3jjZs5XKP8JOnl0VTb-e9fbvEe8ozW&oq=wiper+arm+pu&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6DAgjECcQnQIQRhCAAjoECCMQJzoLCC4QgAQQsQMQgwE6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOg4ILhCABBCxAxDHARCjAjoLCC4QgAQQxwEQowI6CAgAEIAEELEDOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoLCC4QgAQQxwEQrwE6CAgAEIAEEMkDOgUIABCSA1AAWI0xYPlDaABwAHgAgAGNA4gBiAqSAQgxMC4xLjAuMZgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz#kpvalbx=_itUtYoyAK8f4gQad0IjwAg23

This may be the only way, but my windscreen looks like it’s been used for army rifle training, so it could be risky. 

Thanks for the help guys. I think I’ve got some proper penetrating fluid buried in the shed, Ill apply some of that and try again next weekend. 
👍

I can't see how the puller won't fit, persevere.

 

Don't screw it in hoping to pull the arm off using the threads which can strip, screw until there is good resistance then tap the end of the tool sharply with a small hammer to shock the arm free.

 

If the puller won't fit... try heating the arm (not the spindle) with a hot air gun and rocking it free (wear gloves).

 

7 minutes ago, MicMac said:

I can't see how the puller won't fit, persevere.

 

Don't screw it in hoping to pull the arm off using the threads which can strip, screw until there is good resistance then tap the end of the tool sharply with a small hammer to shock the arm free.

 

If the puller won't fit... try heating the arm (not the spindle) with a hot air gun and rocking it free (wear gloves).

 

There is no question, this puller won’t do the job because of its design and the very restricted area it needs to fit. I didn’t realise until I tried it. Its arms taper outward and therefore  the ‘hands’ can not slip under the base of the arm in the space available.I fiddled with it for ages, different angles, no joy.

I spotted a much simpler tool I wish I’d seen earlier. It’s design means the pulling arms can be slid inward to work in a very restricted area. I’m going to try that after applying penetrating fluid then report back here on how it’s gone.

Thanks for the advice, I’m adding it to my arsenal of tips to get this job done !

The plastic trim just pulls up and off and may give enough wiggle room for your puller to fit.

 

How about only using one of the legs and holding it by hand as inline as possible with tension applied and shocking it with a hammer.

6 minutes ago, MicMac said:

The plastic trim just pulls up and off and may give enough wiggle room for your puller to fit.

 

How about only using one of the legs and holding it by hand as inline as possible with tension applied and shocking it with a hammer.

I’ve considered pulling up the trim but I’m not very adventurous and it might open up a whole can of worms for me if I snap something or can’t refit it. I tried tapping the spindle from the out set when I applied w d 40 to work it down, but didn’t make a bit of difference. I’m nervous about shocks being transmitted to my fractured and bullseyed windscreen by applying taps with a hammer, so I think my safest bet is to try the narrow puller. I’ll try gently tapping the spindle again as you suggested when I’m using it, and hopefully it will work.

This is the tool I used on my old Octy

 

Laser tool #3173

1 minute ago, nige8021 said:

This is the tool I used on my old Octy

 

Laser tool #3173

That’s the very first one that shows up on the search, but I wondered if it would be up to the job. On the reviews for it someone said the plastic turn bit broke apart ? Maybe they had a Friday night job. 
ive ordered one I think will do the job, I’ll let everyone here know the outcome.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.
 

Just pull the trim off and out of the way, gentle tapping won't work, hit it sharply.

Turn the ignition on the first click (no engine running) and turn the wipers on, this will mean the wipers stop in the up position. If open close bonnet, lift wiper blades/arms off the glass as if you were changing them, this will make the arms sit better on the spindle enabling you to use the puller. If they don't pull off keep the puller under tension and give the arms a knock at the base with the spindle with a hammer. Nut can be left on but as is in picture or removed.

Edited 14 March, 20224 yr by Morph

5 hours ago, Morph said:

Turn the ignition on the first click (no engine running) and turn the wipers on by pressing the stalk down for the single wipe action. Then turn the ignition off.

 

Edited 14 March, 20224 yr by pikpilot

39 minutes ago, pikpilot said:

It should stop automatically as it is designed for doing what you are doing and changing the blades but if not then yes

I changed my blades yesterday so it was fresh in my mind. I was quoting from handbook but I will try it your way later in case it is a difference just on the facelift models. 

 

Incidentally, your "quote" of my previous post is not my words or quote.

Update on removing my window-pillar kissing wiper. Success !!

I used this simple but excellent puller which did the job in 2 minutes. No hammer tapping, no plastic cover removal. 
The thing looks like it was made in a small backstreet workshop, but perfect for this job. 
Big thanks for all the tips and advice on here gents, I hope this helps someone else before getting a crowbar out !