Windscreen wipers

[javsta]

Hey all

hope all is well....I discovered something strange on the motorway today, my driver side windscreen wiper is smashing against the right hand side of the wind shield when fully extended.

Please can anyone suggest why this maybe and how I can put it right? is it as simple as a change off wiper blades will fix the problem??

Thanks in advance

[RedHP]

Might be an alignment/fitting issue, are they original, if so take back to dealer and let them do it

Red

[SRGTD]

If you've been driving through falling snow during the past few days and it's built up at the bottom of the screen, the wipers won't be able to sweep fully downwards beyond any accumulated packed-down snow. This may cause the wiper arms to twist round from their usual position on their spindles - i.e. they don't sweep to the bottom of the screen and the driver's side one may sweep upwards too far in the vertical position (hope that makes sense!).

When they're in the 'parked' position, do the sit higher than normal? If so, this would explain why the driver's side one has started hitting the 'A' pillar. Should be a simple adjustment to put them right.

[dubber36]

Mine used to hit the A pillar, so I undid the arm retaining nut, pulled the arm off and set it so that it parked a fraction than before. Job done.

The arms are a bugger to get off though, so be carefull not to damage the bonnet when pulling at them.

[JonnyG]

As above I reckon it's slipped a notch on the spindle and needs adjusting back.

To lift the wiper blade fully off the screen safely, follow the handbook guide (useful for washing the screen too) :-

It's something like this

1. Put the key in the ignition and turn to the start position (the one just before firing up the starter motor  )
2. Turn the key back to off position (and remove key if you want)
3. Immediately (or fairly quickly) press the windscreen wiper stalk down briefly (as if to do a flick wipe)
4. The wipers should raise and park at the top, allowing them to be hinged away from the screen safely 

[Mr_F]

Park them and pull them away from the windscreen when it's icy too!  Makes your car look like it's got antennas but does save on ripping them.