Poor visibility out of your windscreen can greatly reduce your reaction time and cause you to miss important signs and dangerous hazards on the road. A wiper system that doesn't clear the screen properly and affects the drivers' visibility is dangerous and will also result in an instant MOT fail. Does a wiper linkage deteriorate with age? Botched:When buying this car, I’d noticed this overlong stud poking out of the scuttle, but was too busy assessing the rest of the car to investigate then. The cost of a wiper linkage replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends. The windshield wiper linkage is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, but like any other mechanical part it can break or malfunction when you least expect it. As soon as you begin to notice your wipers struggling to move across the windscreen, making strange noises or moving out of sync, you should have your wiper system, including the linkage, looked at by a mechanic and replaced. Well worn:The main problem was that the two joints attaching the operating rods to the wiper spindles had all but fallen apart with wear – there should be minimal play.

Cleaning up:The remnants of the old hinge covers are lifted off and the underside of the moulding cleaned smooth, and debris removed from the holes. Crank nut:To ensure the crank nut is tight on the motor shaft, the crank is held firm with one spanner while tightening the 13mm AF nut with another.No you shouldn’t drive with a bad wiper linkage. Driving with faulty wipers isn't just potentially dangerous, it's also illegal and could result in a hefty fine if you’re pulled over. The multimeter shows 12.38 Volt, but the motor doesn't run. This means the wiper motor is bad and needs to be replaced. Initial assessment pointed to a serious engine cooling problem, but that was easily fixed. Then there have been leaking fuel pipes, a leaky injector seal, inoperative handbrake, new camshaft and fuel pump drive belts, new differential mountings and a professional interior clean to add to the bill. But we’re still comfortably within budget, including the parts for these jobs... Working windshield wipers are important for safe driving. Several manufacturers have issued recalls related to the wiper system and possibly more recalls will come in the future.

Cost saving:The electric motor will be saved for fitting to the new wiper linkage. Removing this single nut releases the crank arm, which is part of the linkage. Repair and protect:…so the wire was soldered, a shrink-sleeve fitted, and the complete harness was encased in conduit and secured clear of the mechanism, out of harm’s way. Push fit:Fitting the new covers is initially a matter of engaging the rubber pegs with the holes and then squeezing them gently in from the upper side, here. Stop the rust:Each air intakegrille on the underside of the moulding is supported by a steel frame, so it’s worth applying a liquid grease to stop them rusting away. We make one repair clip, one repair plate and two repair channels, please use the chart below to decide which will repair your linkage.

If it's possible to free wiper arm shafts out of the linkage, your mechanic may suggest an option to clean and lubricate the shafts without replacing parts. It is cheaper, but the proper solution is to replace the linkage. Honda recalled the 2003 4-door Honda Accord for windshield wiper motor failures (service bulletin 08-043). Fully functioning wipers are a key safety feature in your car so it’s vital that you get them fixed as soon as you notice a problem. What are the signs of a bad wiper linkage? Rarity:The new wiper linkage comes with new mounting rubbers and new wiper spindle seals, but no wiper arm securing nuts so the originals need to be saved.