Windshield Wiper Noise

[Paulporsche]

I got caught in a rainstorm while coming back from a mini vacation the other day, and wound up using my wipers for the first time in a while.

The wipers go through a correct arc and clear the windshield just fine, but, at the end of each passenger side swing, there is a loud clunk that seems to me to be the mechanism hitting something, perhaps even itself.

What is the fix for this? Can I adjust the mechanism to get rid of this noise? Can I go through the dashboard or do I have to remove the vent system to get to the wiper mechanism?

Thanks.

[Paulporsche]

Bump.

[Baby]

You can remove the piece of fiberboard from the trunk and push the middle gauges into the cabin with a broom handle or golf club handle or whatever you got. Then you can look through the holes and watch the works to see if there is interference.

[ninesixfour]

OP did you ever find out what was causing the clunking noise?

[GeorgeK]

Was it not the stiff, old wiper rubber flipping on to the other edge?

[356911930]

This usually happens when the bolts come loose. Looking thru the speeedo and tach holes you can see the bolts and tighten. You may also remove the fiberboard to access the bolts.

Rahl

[Paulporsche]

Sorry to leave this hanging. I wound up spending the summer on my backyard deck and fence rebuild so I never got to the root of this. It's not the blade or anything external to the body, Guest. The blades are new and flexible. It's definitely within.

Ninesixfour, were you having a similar problem?

I'm inclined to agree with Rahl that it's something like a loose bolt or a worn or out of round pivot point. We're expecting a colder, wetter winter this year so I don't know if I'll get to it until spring, since I have an old drafty garage. Once I get to the bottom of this I'll post some pics.

[dentist90]

Mine makes that clunk sound when wiper arms change direction too. I haven't had a look but to me sounds like the ball joints (Heim style?) on the bars that connect the motor to the arm pivots are just worn. I don't think there is any way to remedy other than to replace the assembly between motor and pivots. But, like I said, I haven't looked for myself. It sounds like free play in the joints and if I am going to have to dig in there it is going to be when replacement becomes necessary.

[JohnJL]

Hi Paul,If you want to come around King City we can have a look together.

[JohnJL]

Also I have an extra 78 wiper assembly on the bench we can look at/compare/cannibalize if necessary.

[ninesixfour]

Originally Posted by Paulporsche

Ninesixfour, were you having a similar problem?

Yes. I've only driven the car twice in the rain; the day I drove it home from the previous owner's house in Chicago (summer 2015) and today so it hasn't been on my radar to fix. It's a thunk/clunk sound when the wipers change direction. They work fine and do the job but I'd like to eliminate the issue.

[Bill Douglas]

Flip the wipers back from the glass then work the wipers. That way you can tell if it's the blades or the mechanisim. My Corolla had a noise problem and it turned out the bushes where the arms did the left and right thing were corroded.

[Brian 162]

I had the same problem. Just like Rahl said, the motor mounting nuts/bolts probably have loosened.

[Paulporsche]

Thanks everyone. I'll have a look when I can.

JohnJL,

I appreciate the offer, but I may not get there until spring. I'll PM you when I'm thinking of coming.

[Paulporsche]

Easy fix.

Looking through the speedo and clock holes I could see the motor moving. A 10mm bolt holding the motor to its mount had loosened. Tightening it with a socket wrench fixed it.

I subsequently noticed there are 2 other bolts holding the motor. John Walker advised as to their size and I replaced the lost ones with new. Everything is tight and quiet now.