Question Windshield wiper arm socket stripped out

[RandyB]

The famous windshield wiper arm strip-out has finally found me. Has there been any fix devised other than replacing the entire arm? If replacement is the only viable option, is there a good place to purchase from?

 

[scottramer]

They have to be replaced. I bought mine directly from the manufacture Global Product/Wiper Technologies. Global Products LLC | or 833-Wipers1.

 

[Richpatty]

Good reference above...
I looked at Trico and this should be your model....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NP4N13Q/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[Rich W.]

You should try to re-torque it first. Its just a smooth, tapered hole in cast aluminum that is supposed to seat on the steel splined shaft. So it probably isn't stripped out completely so much as just worn and loose. Its usually not a part failure so much as just a less than robust design. But re-torquing it will force the shaft a little further into the taper and should allow it to re-seat.

Torque spec is 65lbs. The method is to torque it, let it sit for 2 hours without operating the wipers, then torque it again. You’ll probably get another full turn out of it so don’t worry - that’s normal. It would also be a good idea to check it a day later. After that it should be good to go. If that doesnt work then yes, you’ll need a replacement.

I had this happen a couple years ago, and bought a replacement but never needed it as re-torquing it has worked ever since through many miles of driving in rain. I’ll try to find the supplier I used. As I recall it wasn’t an easy search.

Found the source (see pic). Apparently I got it from Newmar. The closest arms I found on-line elsewhere were 900mm and mine measured around 935mm. So I went with Newmar and bought a $140 spare that I apparently didn’t need.

Here’s the wiper blades I used:

 

[RandyB]

I have retorqued both these nuts several times. Not enough, I guess. I have cut a piece of 1/16” cable and inserted between the hard spline and the soft socket. Torqued the nut to a tightness sort of around the 70 ft/pound range with my calibrated elbow.

Last 160 mile leg of my 2,200 mile journey tomorrow. Of course, rain forecasted. At worse, I’ll just remove it and drive on. Lucky it’s the navigator’s side.

Then, I’ve got time to find the replacement.
Thanks for your replies.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

As a stop-gap, you might try to use a rain-x type product on the navigator side. It might make the navigator side much easier to see out until you can get the wiper replaced.

Sometimes with wipers, the rain-x product can create a smearing action. If you want to remove the rain-x, usually rubbing alcohol can do this with a couple applications.

 

[Rich W.]

It would probably be worth it to get hold of a torque wrench and go through the proceedure to make sure. You also don’t want to over tighten it because destroying that shaft would really complicate things. If you do need a new arm, just call or email Newmar parts:
Fredi Jimenez
Newmar Parts Representative
800-731-8300
[email protected]

 

[Neal]

You know me, just buy from Newmar parts. Joe Gentry always takes great care of me and is very fast to respond. I believe the procedure is torque to 75 ft-lbs, wait 30 minutes, check torque. These are supposed to be one and done, one removed they are to be replaced.

[email protected]

 

[RandyB]

FYI…my hillbilly fix of placing a length of 1/16” cable between the hard shaft and the soft socket was successful. Todays rain probably resulted in at least 500 cycles of the wipers without fail. It doesn’t seem to have moved a bit.

 

[Rich W.]

I was thinking torque it with a coating of red loctite on the shaft but that might just make things more difficult down the road.