Wiper Trouble
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 4
From: LaGrangeville, N.Y.
Wiper Trouble
2021 F350 I neglected to turn the wipers off when I parked during a snowstorm. When I started the truck the the wipers came on with a snow load on the windshield, wet snow, and popped the driver's arm off the motor shaft. There's a little square key similar to a flywheel key on a lawnmower engine that goes between the wiper arm and motor shaft and it's lost. I checked with the dealer but it's only available if I buy a new wiper arm assembly at $100.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
I think I threw mine away after finding them on the cowl during a wash.
Ford in their manuals had previously said those keys were not necessary and only there for production assembly. I was of that belief until reading posts from others having the same issue in the snow as you did. They obviously provide some actual function besides aiding in assembly.
The wrecking yard is a good suggestion. Pretty sure the F-150 uses the same setup.
Ford in their manuals had previously said those keys were not necessary and only there for production assembly. I was of that belief until reading posts from others having the same issue in the snow as you did. They obviously provide some actual function besides aiding in assembly.
The wrecking yard is a good suggestion. Pretty sure the F-150 uses the same setup.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 570
Likes: 163
From: MO
2021 F350 I neglected to turn the wipers off when I parked during a snowstorm. When I started the truck the the wipers came on with a snow load on the windshield, wet snow, and popped the driver's arm off the motor shaft. There's a little square key similar to a flywheel key on a lawnmower engine that goes between the wiper arm and motor shaft and it's lost. I checked with the dealer but it's only available if I buy a new wiper arm assembly at $100.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 4
From: LaGrangeville, N.Y.
Thanks for the replies. In looking at the slots I've wondered what retains the key in there, it doesn't appear to have a physical stop. I've had my wipers slip out of position twice since this happened and there really isn't much damage to the teeth on either the wiper arm or motor shaft. I don't want to do any further damage so I took the arm off for now.
The salvage yard is a good suggestion but unfortunately the ones local to me don't have much late model stuff. I was wondering if the F150 might be the same since they use the same cab. I may have to make a road trip somewhere.
The salvage yard is a good suggestion but unfortunately the ones local to me don't have much late model stuff. I was wondering if the F150 might be the same since they use the same cab. I may have to make a road trip somewhere.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 17
From: Brantford Ontario
you can buy key stock in most hardware stores.....Buy the next size up & grind/file it down to what you need !!
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 260
Likes: 145
Someone in another thread called those Woodruff Keys. I had them fall out on 2 previous F150’s. I used a dab of silicone to glue them back in and never had another issue. Some say they are not needed though.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 756
From: Texas
2021 F350 I neglected to turn the wipers off when I parked during a snowstorm. When I started the truck the the wipers came on with a snow load on the windshield, wet snow, and popped the driver's arm off the motor shaft. There's a little square key similar to a flywheel key on a lawnmower engine that goes between the wiper arm and motor shaft and it's lost. I checked with the dealer but it's only available if I buy a new wiper arm assembly at $100.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
i found one at ace hardware digging through the drawers of key way parts
then i super glued it in the groove.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 4
From: LaGrangeville, N.Y.
Making a new key that actually works is not going to be as easy as you guys think. I do quite a bit of fabrication and attempted this before I posted. As I mentioned in my original post the slots in the wiper arm and motor shaft are two different widths, the key would have to be milled down to the precise width at the precise depth. To put a key in there that isn't a perfect fit will only make things worse and eventually make one part unusable with wear from movement. I don't have that much confidence in my skills and I don't have an end mill available to me and with my luck the part that would be sacrificed would be the wiper motor.
They may say this key isn't needed but my wiper arm has slipped out of position twice since this happened. I want to replace it if possible before the splines strip off one side or the other.
They may say this key isn't needed but my wiper arm has slipped out of position twice since this happened. I want to replace it if possible before the splines strip off one side or the other.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 863
Likes: 35
From: MA
2021 F350 I neglected to turn the wipers off when I parked during a snowstorm. When I started the truck the the wipers came on with a snow load on the windshield, wet snow, and popped the driver's arm off the motor shaft. There's a little square key similar to a flywheel key on a lawnmower engine that goes between the wiper arm and motor shaft and it's lost. I checked with the dealer but it's only available if I buy a new wiper arm assembly at $100.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Does anyone know where I can find this square key? I tried buying key stock but the slots are different widths between the shaft and arm and would need to be machined.
Sounds like spending the $100 is going to be the easier way to go. I saw you have a 2012. My trucks have not needed a key. I also index the wipers a little higher in the winter so when I plow they are off the frozen bottom of the windshield. Good luck
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 322
Likes: 100
Here is a link to a supplier that has many types of key stock and so much more
https://www.mcmaster.com/machine-keys/
https://www.mcmaster.com/machine-keys/
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