Ask TeleGlass: Removing a stuck windshield wiper arm

First of all, why do you want to remove a windshield wiper arm? For most people, this is not a task that will be required at any point. If your wiper arm is broken, and needs to be replaced, you’ll need to remove the old one first. In this image, you see a wiper arm that has been broken off completely.

The owner of this vehicle removed the nut holding the wiper arm to the windshield wiper motor, then pried straight up to remove what was left of the wiper arm assembly. You can see the plier marks on the what is left of the wiper arm. He also used WD40 and PBlaster to try to loosen up the assembly, but it was all to no avail.

Conventional wisdom is to fold the wiper arm upwards, and then while applying downward pressure (grab the lifted wiper and press downward) strike the portion of the wiper arm that is attached to the bolt with your other hand or a rubber mallet. This usually frees up the wiper arm.

In this case, that technique could not be applied, and the owner wanted to adjust the other wiper arm, too. It wasn’t coming off either. What to do? A battery terminal lifter was used, and it very easily lifted the arm assembly off the bolt. It didn’t create any damage to the arm that wasn’t broken, and it popped the broken arm off neatly.

Auto Glass Expert Read more from James Lee. In 2009 he joined TGSC Group as the managing director of product development. James brings expertise in customer satisfaction and service delivery to the team. He guest blogs for TeleGlass and is an amateur photographer. Find him on Twitter @jronaldlee.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Jim April 22, 2010 at 6:14 pm

Nice blog site, I enjoy the combination of humor, entertainment, and auto glass information.

jenn hot September 28, 2010 at 12:59 pm

i agree jim, nice site ya have there too

cheap auto glass repair July 3, 2011 at 11:19 pm

I have an aftermarket windshield also and it has the same gutter as pictured. Not sure about the wind noise part of it though.

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