Can't get the rear wiper arm off (GOT IT!)

Hey folks, I need some advice. I did a search on the ISSF and here but no luck. Both my OCC and my Caprice have that annoying thing where the rear wiper taps that plastic stop piece when it's in use. I was told a looooong time ago that you just need to remove the arm and re-position it slightly. Problem is, I can't get this arm off. I read the FSM and got the retainer clip moved out of the way no problem, but can't get the arm to budge on either wagon -I even tried a friends wagon with no luck. I tried a little pulling and prying, but since the piece the wiper arm is mounted to is plastic, I don't want to break it. Anyone have any suggestions to get this thing off w/o destroying it?

Thanks,
-Lynol

Hmm... I'll take a look at mine in the morning and see, if nobody else chimes in before then. It also clicks against the stop piece and it annoys the crap out of me.

It's corroded into place. That's happened to me on a couple of the wagons. On one of them, I broke the back window when I was trying to lever it off. Another one I had to mangle to arm to get it off. On the Marshmallow, I just sprayed some PB up in it, and just worked at it with a screwdriver, pry bar, and a block of wood.

You could try drilling a 1/4" hole in the center of the arm, and use an old school battery terminal puller and pop it that way. May work.

You just need it to get that initial "pop" to break it loose, and then you should be able to remove it.

You're probably going to end up replacing the arm once you get it off.

That sucks. I know mine isn't corroded, I took it off a few months ago because I was considering getting a wiper delete panel and getting rid of it, but I realized I actually like having it. lol

Good luck Lynol. I hope you don't break your glass. Been there done that.

did you lock the arm in the "up" position? I tried to remove mine for a while, before I realized it needed to be up.

Otherwise, take a SMALL hammer and "tap" the sides of the arm base as you apply pressure to the bottom while prying.

I've tried pulline several at the JY and haven't gotten one off clean yet.
I'd say Bill's probably got the best advice.

I have two that are broken off, and I managed to get one off at the JY but the Vise Grips were not so nice to it and I broke the retainer clip cap off in the process.

Sooo. I'm about 0 for 3 in the successful removal dept.

I have had good luck removing them. I use the tool for removing door panel "trees". If I remember right there is a lock/lever type thing that you either have to push or pull.

Tom C.

I need to take mine off the re-paint it soon. Let us know how it goes please.

silverfox103 wrote:

I have had good luck removing them. I use the tool for removing door panel "trees". If I remember right there is a lock/lever type thing that you either have to push or pull.

Tom C.

Yeah, I was able to get that retainer clip out of the way, (it pulls out, but only if you lift the arm up a little) so I guess I'll just spray it and let it sit a good while, and be gentle with it and hope I don't ruin anything. I think I'll try it on the Caprice first, 'cause if i break that plastic panel that the wiper mounts into, I can swap it from another car without having to paint it (the OCC's is body color). I'll report back on how it goes.

You have to lift the arm to move the retainer clip out. If you do not lift the arm, you will break the clip. Once the clip is out of the way, the arm usually comes off with a little jiggling. I have an extra for $15 shipped, if you break it.

Hey, Crovo PB Blaster worked! Thanks for the suggestion. I sprayed it on there, let it sit for a few days then took a block of wood and a screwdriver and popped it off no problem, and with no damage. I then positioned it down a few notches and it works great with no more hitting the stop. I can only hope the one on the Old 'smobile comes off as easy.

(Note the position of the retainer clip, that's what it looks like pulled all the way out and ready for the arm to be popped off)

Crovo would've painted it black....satin black

I still need to pop mine off.

sdstick wrote:

Crovo would've painted it black....satin black

Oh, I'm going to. The OCC needs wiper arms painted all around. Looks like garbage with the fading.

sdstick wrote:

Crovo would've painted it black....satin black

That's what EYE was gonna say!!!!!

Glad you got it off... ahem...

Hmm... I never thought about my faded wiper arms.

*adds to Spring Break list*

Speaking about wiper arms, does anyone know how to get the plastic covers off of the front wiper arms without breaking them?

I successfully removed one at a yard using a right angle pick, broke countless others though. These things are so brittle!

Got the arm off my OCC without any problems today, clip popped out, arm came right off. My 1A2 on the other hand, didn't do so well. Popped the clip up, put a little pressure on the arm, then there was a crack, and the arm came off in 2 pieces. So... Anyone got an arm they want to sell?

95BRMW wrote:

Got the arm off my OCC without any problems today, clip popped out, arm came right off. My 1A2 on the other hand, didn't do so well. Popped the clip up, put a little pressure on the arm, then there was a crack, and the arm came off in 2 pieces. So... Anyone got an arm they want to sell?

That's a shame. It did come off though right?

Well the arm did, that broken nub is still on there.