'01 EB Front Wiper Linkage
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
'01 EB Front Wiper Linkage
I lost the front wipers on my '01 EB tonight. The motor is still working (I can hear it), but there must be something snapped on the linkage connecting the wipers to the motor.
It happened while I was driving, switching the wipers from intermittent to high speed, and it was pretty obvious I broke something when it happened. They stopped halfway across the windshield, and when I was able to stop and check them, they moved easily and freely with my hand.
Anyone been poking around under there and know what I'll be dealing with in the morning? The Haynes is pretty sparse on this.
How do I access the motor and linkage? I assume it's under the outside black cowling--is it difficult to remove? Parts typically available at the dealership, and if you know the correct names so when I call I can get a good yes or no from them, would all be a great help.
It happened while I was driving, switching the wipers from intermittent to high speed, and it was pretty obvious I broke something when it happened. They stopped halfway across the windshield, and when I was able to stop and check them, they moved easily and freely with my hand.
Anyone been poking around under there and know what I'll be dealing with in the morning? The Haynes is pretty sparse on this.
How do I access the motor and linkage? I assume it's under the outside black cowling--is it difficult to remove? Parts typically available at the dealership, and if you know the correct names so when I call I can get a good yes or no from them, would all be a great help.
Last edited by saltzy; Dec 6, 2004 at 09:31 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
It sounds like one of the plastic "sockets" that holds the linkage together has come apart. When they wear they can do that. The socket isn't available seperately. You have to buy the whole linkage or wiper transmission assembly. Or you might find a good used one.
The black cowl pieces just have a few screws that hold them on and then they pull off. To get the wiper arms off you remove the little plastic cover at the bottom of the arm and then remove the nut. I use water pump pliers to pop the arm off the shaft.
The black cowl pieces just have a few screws that hold them on and then they pull off. To get the wiper arms off you remove the little plastic cover at the bottom of the arm and then remove the nut. I use water pump pliers to pop the arm off the shaft.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Thanks Dave. I did get this done this morning out in the 25-degree weather with freezing rain here in the NE. I bought a new motor/linkage assembly at Ford, got the old one out and the new one installed.
You were right--the ball joint(s) on the linkage of the unit were decimated.
In any case, the part was around $160, with a $35 core charge on the old wiper motor bringing it to around $200 out the door. I'll return the core for the refund and be done with it.
Upside is, the wipers are working better than they have in over a year, nice and quiet, full range of motion.
Thanks for the response, Dave.
Now, if I could just pinpoint what broke in the front suspension group that makes a bang/clang every time I hit any kind of bump, this 2001 with 79,000 miles would be on the way to staying owned by me.
You were right--the ball joint(s) on the linkage of the unit were decimated.
In any case, the part was around $160, with a $35 core charge on the old wiper motor bringing it to around $200 out the door. I'll return the core for the refund and be done with it.
Upside is, the wipers are working better than they have in over a year, nice and quiet, full range of motion.
Thanks for the response, Dave.
Now, if I could just pinpoint what broke in the front suspension group that makes a bang/clang every time I hit any kind of bump, this 2001 with 79,000 miles would be on the way to staying owned by me.
