Faults of the wiper operating rod
- rod bending;
- mechanical wear;
- corrosion of metal;
- insufficient interaction with the motor drive;
- damage to the joints and connections of the linkage drive;
- damage to the crank ball.
Symptoms of wiper operating rod failure
- uneven movement of the wiper;
- jamming of the wiper arm;
- irregular arm motion;
- creak under the hood during wiper movement.
Causes of wiper operating rod faults
- lack of lubrication in the cavity of the crank ball;
- damage to the locking ring blades;
- lack of or insufficient lubrication in the locking ring;
- mechanical damage;
- improper fastening of the rod joints;
- natural wear and tear of joints or rod locking rings;
- insufficient diameter of the locking ring is used.
Diagnostics
To assess the condition of the wiper operating rod, it is necessary to begin with a visual inspection. The rod should be smooth, with no mechanical damage or rust. Particular attention should be paid to the plastic sleeve and locking ring, which provide interaction with the crank ball. You should assess the state of plastic parts and check the lubricant level.
For a more thorough examination it is necessary to completely remove the rods. The part average useful life is not limited, but specialists recommend to diagnose the rods at least once a year, especially after the cold season.
Repair and replacement of the wiper operating rod
The operating rod is a very durable piece, so it needs to be replaced only in case of mechanical damage or corrosion. Nevertheless, the most vulnerable parts of the rod are the locking ring and the bush. If they are damaged, only the replacement of plastic parts is required.
To remove the wiper operating rod, you must first disconnect the wiper arms. To do this, remove the plastic caps and loosen wipers hex nuts.
Next, open the hood and remove the cover of the wiper. Often it is fastened with clips. Next step is to unscrew bolts and remove the wiper linkage mechanism completely.
To replace the rod plastic bushes and locking rings a special repair kit is required, settings of which you need to find in the technical documentation of the vehicle.
Windscreen wiper linkage finder for