Fitting a replacement wiper arm

[Lizbiebrowne]

Whilst on holiday in Portugal this autumn the left most wiper on our Hymer 654 went for an excursion off the side of the windscreen and didn’t return! When I removed it there were no splines left inside the wiper arm and plenty of aluminium in the grooves of the splines on the spindle so I left it off, blanked off the washer pipe and we continued our holiday without it, it doesn’t make too much difference to the driver as the two remaining wipers clear most of the windscreen. However, back in the UK so time to replace it.

I bought a new arm from a local Volvo dealer and went to fit it this afternoon. It’s identical to the damaged one except that I was expecting to find splines inside the new arm’s socket but there are none – the inside of the socket is smooth. So now I’m thinking my understanding of how these work (or are fitted) is wrong. Perhaps the internal splines are formed as the arm is tightened onto the splines of the splindle – is that correct? If so I would imagine I have to very careful with the alignment as I tighten it down.

A further question. The current wiper blades are a mixture of sizes. One is 50 cm, one around 51 cm and another a little longer at 53 cm. The distance between the spindles that the wiper arms fit on is 53 cm so I guess I should be fitting three 50 cm wiper blades all across to ensure there’s no danger of accidental contact.

 

[Spriddler]

Perhaps the internal splines are formed as the arm is tightened onto the splines of the splindle

Perhaps the spindle is tapered?

 

[Printermick]

I think that there is nylon or similar plastic that makes the splines when you bolt down, changed mine a few years ago, it has been fine. If it is the same as my B544 2006 the arm on the drivers side is longer than the other two.

 

[pappajohn]

The spindle holes are different sizes/bores.
The new one is considerably bigger than the original

 

[Jev88]

On the size question, fit the biggest blades that work on your glass. I changed our old Ducato ones for about 2" longer and got more clean screen.

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[Lizbiebrowne]

The spindle holes are different sizes/bores.
The new one is considerably bigger than the original

I measured them, they're the same size. The distortion comes from the way I photographed them

Perhaps the spindle is tapered?

Yes, it's 1.1 mm dia one the one side and 0.8 mm dia on the other

I think that there is nylon or similar plastic that makes the splines when you bolt down, changed mine a few years ago, it has been fine. If it is the same as my B544 2006 the arm on the drivers side is longer than the other two.

There isn't a plastic insert with the new arm and I've had the other two arms off as well - no plastic insert. Direct metal to metal contact. I assume the spindle on the van side is steel and is aluminium on the arm so if there's any wear it occurs on the arm.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

The spindle holes are different sizes/bores.
The new one is considerably bigger than the origin

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

I think that there is nylon or similar plastic that makes the splines when you bolt down, changed mine a few years ago, it has been fine. If it is the same as my B544 2006 the arm on the drivers side is longer than the other two.

My three arms are the same size (and same Volvo part no.)

 

[Woofer wills]

I have just had the same to happen to me in France with drivers side arm coming off and before I could stop it would appear that the inside of the arm spindle is smooth. Went to a FIAT parts shop and they could order one for £57 !!! SO I am thinking of improving the grip on the existing, maybe a little sand or tiny grit aside the spindle and then tighten down on the taper, or continue a search online.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

I bought a new Volvo wiper arm for about the same price. There were no splines on the inside of the new arm so I assumed that they were cut into it as the arm was tightened onto the spindle. All worked well for a while and then it went walkabout. I’ve refitted it using Loctite thread sealant, so far so good. I’m considering changing the wiper on this arm to a shorter (18”) blade so I can set the arm to start below the others (and not foul the middle blade) and so not reach that part of windscreen where the curve starts. I’ve also coated the windscreen with a rain repellent so I often don’t need the wipers on when it’s raining. Another thought if all else fails is to araldite the arm into the spindle but that does seem drastic and perhaps irreversible.

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[Woofer wills]

Thanks for the reply. I went and got a new wiper arm today from the Fiat supplier ordered from my Reg No and it is far to long so not the right one. Maybe I need to see if there is a Volvo one suitable. I have a 2007 B514SL Gold Edition MH and the arms look like the original ones a the van has only done 34k miles.

 

[L' Hobo]

I have just had the same to happen to me in France with drivers side arm coming off and before I could stop it would appear that the inside of the arm spindle is smooth. Went to a FIAT parts shop and they could order one for £57 !!! SO I am thinking of improving the grip on the existing, maybe a little sand or tiny grit aside the spindle and then tighten down on the taper, or continue a search online.

If it's the type without splines and a bolt through the centre, just use thin tinfoil (from the base of a meat pie perhaps?) squish it over the spindle and tighten.

Worked for me many times in the old days including on battery terminals.

 

[peterc10]

Thanks for the reply. I went and got a new wiper arm today from the Fiat supplier ordered from my Reg No and it is far to long so not the right one. Maybe I need to see if there is a Volvo one suitable. I have a 2007 B514SL Gold Edition MH and the arms look like the original ones a the van has only done 34k miles.

That is because you have an A class motorhome. When it arrived at Hymer to be converted it did not have the Fiat windscreen. Instead Hymer fitted a different windscreen, wipers and controls. For example my A class Hymer has 3 wipers and a beefed up wiper control. The reg number will be irrelevant.

Are you looking for the whole wiper or just the blade?

 

[Woofer wills]

Hi, I am looking for the actual wiper arm

 

[Woofer wills]

I have 3 wipers on my as well

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[peterc10]

Hi, I am looking for the actual wiper arm

Hymer uses splines. On my motorhome the three blades are all the same. If that is the same on yours just take one off and take it into Euro Car Parts. If desperate take it into Halford.

Take it off by prising off the black cap and undoing the nut. You will then need to prise off the arm from the splines shaft. If your windscreen washers are attached jusr pull off the connection.

 

[L' Hobo]

Hymer uses splines. On my motorhome the three blades are all the same. If that is the same on yours just take one off and take it into Euro Car Parts. If desperate take it into Halford.

Take it off by prising off the black cap and undoing the nut. You will then need to prise off the arm from the splines shaft. If your windscreen washers are attached jusr pull off the connection.

You can buy small extractors for pulling off wiper arms.