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Let me preface this post by saying my rdx was purchased used, so I don't know the event that caused the problem. Previous owner just said they had the wipers adjusted at the dealer a long time ago. Root cause could have been turning them on when iced up, etc.
The problem is when it is dry outside, you flip the wipers on and the range of motion is fine. As soon as the wipers get some water under them, they sweep all the way down to the bottom plastic cowling and clunk.
I read a post that said just unbolt the arm, move the wipers up, and refasten. This did not fix the issue. Same thing: sweeps fine when dry, then sweeps lower when wet and clunks. Could be some of the internal linkage, not sure.
What do you guys think the issue is? If this is too vague, I'll go take a video of this happening tomorrow morning.
Let me know if I am on the right track. I read about replacing control arms (parts 11 and 12) and the dust seals (parts 08 and 09, hard to tell from the diagram)
Let me preface this post by saying my rdx was purchased used, so I don't know the event that caused the problem. Previous owner just said they had the wipers adjusted at the dealer a long time ago. Root cause could have been turning them on when iced up, etc.
The problem is when it is dry outside, you flip the wipers on and the range of motion is fine. As soon as the wipers get some water under them, they sweep all the way down to the bottom plastic cowling and clunk.
I read a post that said just unbolt the arm, move the wipers up, and refasten. This did not fix the issue. Same thing: sweeps fine when dry, then sweeps lower when wet and clunks. Could be some of the internal linkage, not sure.
What do you guys think the issue is? If this is too vague, I'll go take a video of this happening tomorrow morning.
All help appreciated!
Kyle
That post is correct, move the arms up higher (couple of notches... what ever it takes to get tit right). Also check to see if the mounting bolt is loose.
Unless something is striped. You can check by grabbing the arms and try moving them. If they move without resistance then some of the notches are strip.
The teethes could be strip at the arm mounting area or inside the wiper motor. To check that, remove the arms from the w motor and look at the mating surfaces. If the notches are good at the arm and the mounting stud, then the motor gears are strip.
Replace which ever part is strip or parts.
Be sure to cycle your wipers before resetting them. That way the motor is in the normal off resting position.
Not sure if you figured it out (and for a reference for anybody else with this issue);
Took mine apart, and found that one of the "bushings" (as they seem to be called online, but to me it seems more like a cap) had broken, allowing one of the arms to have far too much play.
I searched like hell trying to find the plastic bushing, with no luck.
I was stumped....until I ran across a post explaining that the bushing comes pre-pressed into the control arm.
One new arm A and the dust seal are on the way (replacing the dust seal at the other end of the arm since it has to come off anyway). Should fix it! All the other bushings seemed good.
Yes they did. It sounds like the linkages and motor are connected by a ball and socket (bushing). They fixed it by replacing the bushing. The slop or free play is due to the defective bushing.
Yes they did. It sounds like the linkages and motor are connected by a ball and socket (bushing). They fixed it by replacing the bushing. The slop or free play is due to the defective bushing.
did you replace both control and the bushing or did you just replace the bushing?
01acls, they are ball and socket fittings (the sockets are often referred to as bushings).
I think I hit on it above, but since it had me so stumped; the bushings come pre-pressed into the control arms!!!!!
lawls, like 01acls said, you need to get the unit out first to see which bushing is broken.
Remove the wiper arms, pull the rubber cowl seal off (the one that goes between the cowl and hood), then start removing the sections of cowl (iirc, you start on the passenger side).
You'll then see the linkage/motor assembly. Unbolt, remove wiring harness from motor (the wires also have an attachment point to the assembly that has to be popped off).
Once out, it should be pretty obvious where the play is coming from.
If you don't have a trim removal tool set, I'd suggest one for the trim clips that hold the cowl down.
Today I took out the whole unit and inspected it. I found two of the rubber bushing ripped. When I attempted to remove the rod I broke one of the white cap on the rod. Can I purchase the cap separately or does the cap comes with the rod?
