W202 wiper problem

[marm]

Just when I needed it to go wrong, with 2 tired (crying) kids in the back, heavy rain, and a main road closed off causing gridlocked traffic...

The wiper seemed to be moving in a funky way and getting stuck at the right hand side - was still running but wouldn't stop completely when turned off - was vibrating at the end of its travel.

I got out of the car (in a slight panic) and manhandled it out of the channel at the side of the windscreen (where it seemed to be stuck), then put it back in again as I realised there was nowhere else for it to go.

Seemed to be working (and stopping) ok when I restarted the car. I avoided running them for the rest of the trip though. But when I got home I noticed it's sitting too far to the right and has made a mess out of the rubber seal on that side of the windscreen.

Not going to do anything about it until the morning (or maybe even the day after) but any tips welcomed. I'm supposed to be taking the car on holiday on Sunday...

 

[marm]

I'm hoping this: 202Tech - Hesitating Wiper Fix

 

[Dec]

That fix, in your link, won’t fix your fault.
Get a lolly pop stick or something similar in size and thickness and tape it to the large arm in the mechanism, as illustrated below, if you have cable ties then the would be better for fixing than tape.

Does the wiper arm park properly when you turn off at the wiper switch?

Dec

 

[marm]

Thanks! Excellent, got lolly pop sticks and cable ties! Is it a new wiper transmission job then? If so good job there's a mercedes breaker a couple of blocks away from my house.

Does the wiper arm park properly when you turn off at the wiper switch?

They weren't (were juddering confusedly when switched off).

But are now (following me having an argument with the wiper blade) - in as much as they stop - albeit sticking into the rubber.

Does that make sense?

 

[guydewdney]

i have a brand new, genuine, wiper mech here for sale.

 

[marm]

i have a brand new, genuine, wiper mech here for sale.

Thanks, good to know. What do you want for it?

How's Porlock? Beautiful place!

 

[Dec]

Just push the wiper arm inwards and fit the lollypop stick.
This will fix the problem of the arm shooting out and jamming in the side trim.
To put the wiper back to its original working condition you will need to replace it with one from a scrap yard, you can of course continue on using the lollypop stick, that’s the cheapest fix.

As illustrated below, the wiper blade sweep will change and follow the Yellow line so less of the screen will be cleared by the wiper blade.

When you turn the wiper off to 0 the blade should park at the bottom of the windscreen just like the picture below.

Dec

 

[marm]

Thanks. I think I've got a bit of alloy strip in a similar size. Would that be better than a lolly stick or is it all the same?

Will probably need to replace the rubber seal too at some point. Is it available and easily replaced?

Could just gaffa it...

 

[Dec]

If its stiff like wood, it should do, it won’t be under much force, just needs to be stiff so as to stay in place.
I doubt the rubber seal is that badly damaged by the wiper blade, got a picture?

For the same problem as yours, a bloke used a pencil and a jubilee clip and couple of cable tie.

Dec

 

[marm]

If its stiff like wood, it should do, it won’t be under much force, just needs to be stiff so as to stay in place.
I doubt the rubber seal is that badly damaged by the wiper blade, got a picture?

For the same problem as yours, a bloke used a pencil and a jubilee clip and couple of cable tie.

Dec

Nice. Was thinking a jubilee clip might be a bit more permanent...

Spose it's not too bad...

 

[Mercedes man]

Hi if you need a good secondhand unit I have 1 for £45.00 inc delivery complete with motor

 

[marm]

Hi if you need a good secondhand unit I have 1 for £45.00 inc delivery complete with motor

Thanks. What year is it? My car's a '97.

Seen the suggestion elsewhere to use a shorter wiper blade. This idea crossed my mind when the fault occurred... possibly got one in the shed, too. Much as I like the lolly pop fix this is easier...

 

[Dec]

From what I can see in the picture, I wouldn't be at all concerned about that, if any water does get past the rubber, it will just emerge in the engine bay right beside the drivers side water drain, it won’t enter the cabin.

If you get your fingers or flat screwdriver under the rubber you should be able to reseat the rubber, maybe some kind of rubber filler/Black mastic might help/improve the appearance of the cut.

Just looking at the picture again, has the metal/rubber side trim dislodged and become loose?
If not, then I wouldn't fiddle with it.

Dec

 

[Mercedes man]

Hi car is a 1998 s reg

 

[marm]

Job done for the time being. Thanks all for sharing tips. Seems to do the trick but I will probably put a secondhand mechanism on at some point (will probably be in touch Mercedes man).

Used a sawn off chopstick in the end. The lolly stick cracked when I tightened the cable ties. I found the cable ties in the street...that's what I call a cheap fix!

 

[guydewdney]

distinct lack of grease visible, hence failure.

 

[marm]

distinct lack of grease visible, hence failure.

That, and 167000 miles. I'm not complaining.

Looks fairly greasy to me though... I did wipe off the shaft before fitting the chopstick. And put some copper slip on the fitting end/bolt.

 

[marm]

Just to say that this fix seems to have done the trick so thanks again... can't say I've missed the extra "reach" on the wiper - visibility is not impaired with this mod IMO so I don't think I'll bother replacing the mechanism. A new wiper blade was money well spent though!