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I need to remove the plastic tray covering the wiper transmission to try and repair the rubber lip that contacts the windshield and has practically separated itself from the tray. In order to remove the “tray” I have to remove the wiper arms. I have a full set of FSM’s for my car so I know the steps and what order things need to be removed.
Now to the issue. I can remove the plastic caps that cover the nuts that hold the wiper arm onto the wiper transmission, an I can remove the nut but I haven’t been successful getting the arm off the splined shaft .
I’m hoping there are some tips and tricks to pull the arm off without tearing anything up. It seem a puller similar to a puller used to get stuck battery cables off might would work, but there is almost zero clearance between the wiper arm and the cowl for a couple of puller arms to grab anything.
so if you have pulled yours off in the past, I would like to know how you accomplished the task. Thanks if you can help, it is appreciated.
I’m hoping there are some tips and tricks to pull the arm off without tearing anything up. It seem a puller similar to a puller used to get stuck battery cables off might would work,......
I'm confused. You stated you have the service manual for you car, and know the steps. If that is the case, you should at least have looked up what the Kent Moore puller looks like...then you can determine if you have something similar in your tool box...or need to buy. Many have had success with a battery terminal puller.
I'm confused. You stated you have the service manual for you car, and know the steps. If that is the case, you should at least have looked up what the Kent Moore puller looks like...then you can determine if you have something similar in your tool box...or need to buy. Many have had success with a battery terminal puller.
im confused too. I think you are suggesting I do more research because you have never done the job? Or when you did yours you had the exact tool and it popped right off? I’m just asking for real world experience and tried to give enough background so everyone would know where I’m coming from.
im confused too. I think you are suggesting I do more research because you have never done the job? Or when you did yours you had the exact tool and it popped right off? I’m just asking for real world experience and tried to give enough background so everyone would know where I’m coming from.
I've done it twice on a C5. While I had used tools to pull wiper arm assemblies from other vehicles, I had never done one on a C5. I found myself in the same situation as you, with service manual in hand to familiarize myself with the task. The service manual also suggested a kent moore tool with a specific part number. I looked up the tool to see if it was something I was interested in purchasing, given it may have unique geometry or strength that a run of the mill autozone puller would not offer. I ended up buying the Kent Moore tool. Used it twice. Loaned it out to a friend in need, and he broke it on the first try . Whether you can get away with a cheaper made tool depends on a few variables....have the arms been off before, corrosion, evironment the vehicle has been stored in.....and most importantly....will the cheaper tool fit in the workspace given. Good luck.
I didn’t, haven’t considered the Kent Moore tool because they weren’t available anymore, not sure that’s true. I do know these wiper arms haven’t been off in at least 15 years, but also the last 15 years the car has always been garaged. But those first 10 years or so of use are questionable and basically unknown. Thanks for the reply, I’m going to hit some auto parts stores and look at some pullers to see if any look like the arms that hook under the wiper are thin enough to fit the available space.
I’ve removed the wiper arms on my 2004 convertible and have even replaced the windshield cowl. After removing the plastic cap covers, disconnecting the washer fluid tubes, and then removing the bolts that lock down the arms, I simply pulled them up and off. Never found it particularly tricky. Might need to wiggle it.
I wish that was my issue, there is no wiggling going to happen. I don’t see any corrosion evident , the nut came off easily enough but it’s still as tight as if the nut was on. Several years ago I attempted this process before the rubber strip on the cowl had gotten as bad as it now, it didn’t get better with the passing of time.
Try dribbling some PB-Blaster (or your favorite) on the end of shaft and leave it sink in for a day or two. Put a pair of wooden wedges under the wiper arm and whack the shaft gently (with the nut back on).
That's all I got.
I suspect garage queen cars have much easier arm removals than do driveway denizens. My ‘99’s arms were miserable to get off the first time. I have successfully used an inexpensive puller from Amazon:
That said, the rubber seal at the cowl/windshield interface doesn’t really do any thing, and has probably pulled from one or both inside corners from shrinkage. Superglue will bond it — but the shrinkage makes fitting difficult. Some have replaced it with universal door edge trim to good effect.
Success. I had some PB Blaster and put it on last night. No difference as far as I could tell. So I invested in a $20.00 wiper arm puller from Auto Zone even though I was skeptical about its fit. It did take some finagling to get it positioned but once in place it did the trick. Both arms came off with a loud pop at the moment they broke loose, in my case I don’t think any amount of shimming or prying would have been successful. So, once again I appreciate all the replies and at my advanced age I learned something new. They actually make a tool specifically for removing wiper arms, who knew!??
Success. I had some PB Blaster and put it on last night. No difference as far as I could tell. So I invested in a $20.00 wiper arm puller from Auto Zone even though I was skeptical about its fit. It did take some finagling to get it positioned but once in place it did the trick. Both arms came off with a loud pop at the moment they broke loose, in my case I don’t think any amount of shimming or prying would have been successful. So, once again I appreciate all the replies and at my advanced age I learned something new. They actually make a tool specifically for removing wiper arms, who knew!??
I suggest that you apply a LITTLE 'never-seize" on the splines, before you reassemble the arms.
Wiper arm removal
. Whether you can get away with a cheaper made tool depends on a few variables....have the arms been off before, corrosion, evironment the vehicle has been stored in.....and most importantly....will the cheaper tool fit in the workspace given. Good luck. 
