hi all

noob here - i thought replacing the rear wiper arm on my 2008 Dodge Grand caravan would be snap and go, apparently not.

the plastic arm broke off completely - the dealer gave me a metal arm and told me that the "splined" metal bit on the steel stem with threads has to come off.

HOW? they didnt tell me how?

before I break my rear windshield glass - please help

i have attached a picture

 

The "splined metal bit" is the round insert that was molded into the plastic wiper arm, in theory is should just pull off, but it is now stuck to the wiper shaft by corrosion. You may be able to remove it using a small puller, but most have not had much success.

I recommend using a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to slit down both sides of the insert, cutting almost to the shaft, then pry in the slits with a screw driver to break the insert off.



After the insert is removed the shaft should look something like this:

 

thank you very much - that helps...

now i gotta find a dremel

if i cannot get one, is there another way?

 

You might be able to use a mini hacksaw like this one (or maybe use just a hacksaw blade):



To get enough stoke length, you may need to make the cut diagonally and roll it around the shaft. You also might get by with only cutting one slit.

 

thanx - i think i have one of those

i called a few friends - seems one of them has a dremel - will try that first.

thanx again!

 

You're welcome, let us know how it goes.

 

I got a dremel like tool and was able to cut off the metal piece in a minute. My advice for future people is to cut until the silver bit is barely visible, or a thin as possible, without cutting into the black stem.

i cut what i though was close, but not close enough, cut some more and voila.... just fell off

thanx for the help again!