Rear Wiper Arm

[CarlP]

Daft question but....

I've a MkII 03 1.8. Unlike other hatchbacks I have owned the rear wiper arm does not lift fully away from the back window when I go to clean it. It lifts only 2 to 3 inches which is just enough to clean underneath. Is this normal? Not too much room for replacement I feel.

[bristolmotorspeedway]

Hi Carl,

I have a 'facelift' mkII and the same 'feature' remains. It's a very odd bit of design that, like you, I have not come across before on any other hatchbacks. So far I have been caught out by it every time when washing the car.

Another thing about it is that I am sure they could fit a slightly bigger blade and clean a bit more glass than the miserly little area wiped at present. :)

[Ray99]

You have to remove the nut cap to lift the wiper arm all the way. The only way to remove the nut cap is to prise it off with a small screwdriver. This means that the lightfingered scum who regard car parks as free parts supplies, need to go equipped to steal. This carries a much higher penalty than just stealing the wiper blade without tools. Not too much trouble to hold it up with one hand while you wipe underneath with the other. Regards Ray

[bristolmotorspeedway]

You have to remove the nut cap to lift the wiper arm all the way. The only way to remove the nut cap is to prise it off with a small screwdriver. This means that the lightfingered scum who regard car parks as free parts supplies, need to go equipped to steal. This carries a much higher penalty than just stealing the wiper blade without tools. Not too much trouble to hold it up with one hand while you wipe underneath with the other. Regards Ray

Ah, makes good sense, cheers for the explanation :)

It's not too much trouble....it's just that, after years of cleaning cars where the wiper blade lifts to 90 degrees, I almost turn into lightfingered scum and rip the thing off myself :D