2003 Rear Wiper Problem
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Freshman User
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2003 Rear Wiper Problem
So i have searched this site to see if i can find anyone with the same problem, and it does not look like anyone has had this exact same problem.
I have a 2003 Expy with a stiff moving rear wiper. All the problems that I have seen on this board has to do with the motor being a problem. I am not having a problem with the motor. The motor works fine. The wiper arm on the outside of the glass is either corroded or rusting or something. It has gotten progressively harder to rotate lately. Now with the winter it's nearly stuck. I can muscle it back and forth when i have the glass popped, but it has currently gotten so stiff/stuck that the motor is not longer strong enough to move it.
Is there any way to take it apart and oil the cylinder or grease it? I tried loading WD-40 in there but it just doesn't penetrate enough. Anyone else have this problem? or a solution?
I have a 2003 Expy with a stiff moving rear wiper. All the problems that I have seen on this board has to do with the motor being a problem. I am not having a problem with the motor. The motor works fine. The wiper arm on the outside of the glass is either corroded or rusting or something. It has gotten progressively harder to rotate lately. Now with the winter it's nearly stuck. I can muscle it back and forth when i have the glass popped, but it has currently gotten so stiff/stuck that the motor is not longer strong enough to move it.
Is there any way to take it apart and oil the cylinder or grease it? I tried loading WD-40 in there but it just doesn't penetrate enough. Anyone else have this problem? or a solution?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Chesapeake, va
Might try this
I have replace the motor in my 00 navi for intermittent ops and there was no cyl to grease/oil. Might try removing the wiper arm and see if the motor still moves slow. If so then it sounds internal to the motor and will need to be replaced. This is not too bad of a job and I got the part from Rock Auto.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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I have an 04, and I had the same problem. If you open the liftgate glass and the wiper moves stiff by hand, then its probably the pivot shaft assembly. You could also close the liftgate striker while the liftgate glass is still open with a screwdriver and cycle the wiper motor to see if it runs smooth. I ended up replacing the wiper pivot shaft assembly. Didn't see any way of taking it apart to clean it up and re-oil because it looks like a pressed together assembly.
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<O
</OYes, It moves stiff by hand when free of the motor, and has gotten progressively more "Stiff/Stuck" over the last few months. That's How I know it's for sure just corroding inside<O
</OI did this too, that's how I know the motor is not the problem and that it's running fine.
<O
</O<O
</OYea, I don't see any way of taking it apart to clean it up and re-oil it eiher, and it's so tightly sealed you can't get any lubricant in there even with a concentrated shot out of a straw from WD-40 or PB.<O
</O<O
</OThis is what I need to do. How did you go about doing this? Was it difficult? At first glance I can’t tell exactly how it would come apart and come off to replace. Also where did you get the replacement pivot shaft?
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I got it from ford dealer, know a guy who gave me a deal, although i don't remember what i paid for it. First remove the wiper arm. Then remove the dust seal and the nut under the arm. Then on the inside of the glass remove 2 or 3 nuts(can't remember the exact number). Then it simply pulls out. You'll notice there is a lot of play in the mounting holes for the assembly. I just lined up as close the original as i could so that it will line up with the liftgate glass latch. I had to adjust a couple of times to get the glass to close properly. Hope this helps.
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Yes,
That does help quite a bit. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
2 quick questions.
1. How do you get the wiper arm off? Iv'e never done it, and I can't see anything obvious, I don't want to break or bend anything.
2. Do I have to break the plate free from the glass at all on the inside? It looks as if there is some sort of adhesive between the inside mounting plate and the glass. And when I do get it off, do I need to put some kind of adhesive back on there when i re-assemble?
Thanks.
That does help quite a bit. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
2 quick questions.
1. How do you get the wiper arm off? Iv'e never done it, and I can't see anything obvious, I don't want to break or bend anything.
2. Do I have to break the plate free from the glass at all on the inside? It looks as if there is some sort of adhesive between the inside mounting plate and the glass. And when I do get it off, do I need to put some kind of adhesive back on there when i re-assemble?
Thanks.
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Senior User
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To take off the wiper arm, there is a cover you simply pry over and there is a nut under there. Be careful when you pull the arm off since its under spring tension and will try to close when you pull it off of pivot shaft. And then on the inside there is no adhesive or breaking the plate from the glass. The pivot shaft assembly simply seperates from that. And before you put the wiper arm back on, close liftgate glass and cycle wiper motor so its in the park position, otherwise you'll put the arm on in wrong postion and the arm will run on the liftgate.
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Fleet Owner
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From: 0,0,1
It looks like this:
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Vancouver, BC
I had the same problem on my '03 Expy. Trying to lube the wiper arm shaft only resolves the problem for a short while. Removing it and cleaning all the crud off the shaft was the best solution.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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Hey guys I have the same problem on my 03 Navi. I have the wiper arm off and the nut removed but I still can't get the pivot assembly out is it that it is just that corroded up that its stuck? I don't want to bang on it or anything like that (scared of breaking glass). Also does the plate on the inside with the latch have to be removed? It looks like the pivot assembly should just pop out on its own? Thanks everyone
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Vancouver, BC
If I remember correctly, there's a little circlip that retains the shaft within the bushing/housing. Gently remove it. If the shaft is really binding, a little WD40 can help loosen it up. Take it all apart, clean it really well. I found that a thin layer of ATF on the shaft before assembling keeps things well lubricated.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 93
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From: Urbana, IA
I guess I'll piggy-back on this thread instead of starting a new one.
I have an 03 Expedition too, my rear wiper kept seizing up. Taking it apart and cleaning it and removing the crud only worked so many times. The last time I tried to take it apart, it was so seized up, I tried to put the plate that the pivot assembly goes through in a vice to pound the shaft out and ended up breaking the plate that bolts to the inside of the glass.
Do any of you guys know a decent online source for that mounting plate, and the shaft that goes inside it? The actual wiper arm assembly is still fine, just need those 2 parts.
I have an 03 Expedition too, my rear wiper kept seizing up. Taking it apart and cleaning it and removing the crud only worked so many times. The last time I tried to take it apart, it was so seized up, I tried to put the plate that the pivot assembly goes through in a vice to pound the shaft out and ended up breaking the plate that bolts to the inside of the glass.
Do any of you guys know a decent online source for that mounting plate, and the shaft that goes inside it? The actual wiper arm assembly is still fine, just need those 2 parts.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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I'm at this same point on my 07 EL Ltd.....I've got the arm off, the c-washer off but now I can't get the "stem" of the assembly out. I've tried banging on it from the outside with a rubber mallet and can't budge it. Do I need to take off the mounting plate on the inside of the glass first?
Thanks!
Chris
Thanks!
Chris