Wiper Removal - Eibach Install Prep

[Hulty]

Can anyone tell me the trick for removing the wiper arms prior to removing the cowl?

I've taken off the caps, removed the 15mm nut, and from there I'm unsure. From the looks of it, it should just lift off, but no. I've also spiderweb'd my windshield in the process trying to get proper leverage to pry off the arms to no avail. Thank you glass coverage on the insurance!!

So, what's the trick? Any pics of the process?

 

[zippypcs]

When I took mine off, I loosed the nut on each arm.

Then i put nut back on as to cover the threads.

Then put my hand under wiper arm close to where they attach to spline.

Then took light hammer and tapped on the nut until the arm came free.

Note: I did NOT break or spider the glass at all.

A little patience will go along way.

 

[rdss]

I did the same thing as zippypcs, a brass/dead blow hammer would be the idle hammer for the job. Light taps and make sure the wiper isn't tensioning itself on the windshield putting pressure on the spline.

 

[Natesriv]

I just removed the nut, lifted the arm up and rocked it back & forth a little so it just popped off the spline...
easy
The fun part is compressing the spring... and the NUMEROUS amounts of turning you'll have to do to compress the OEM's.... felt like Popeye afterwards!

 

[zippypcs]

I used one of these to do the springs along with a 1/2 inch earthquake impact gun. Made it really easy.

Clam Spring Shock Compressor Strut Suspension Remover Installer Single Action | eBay

 

[Natesriv]

I used one of these to do the springs along with a 1/2 inch earthquake impact gun. Made it really easy.

Clam Spring Shock Compressor Strut Suspension Remover Installer Single Action | eBay

I did it the old fashioned way... crank one side down, do the other, repeat until spring is nearly 100% compressed...

opposite for install..

Seeing how EASY it is to remove the strut itself, I wonder if I should buy some stock OEM struts without springs and put my old ones on there... that way I could do a quick swap if ever needed (like going to dealer for any suspension issues )

 

[Hulty]

I had NO IDEA that this was more than a wiper arm on a post....

 

[RMinNJ]

wiper arm removal tool?

I guess use a wiper arm removal tool? A gear puller would work also I believe.

Autocraft Windshield Wiper Arm Remover AC655: Buy the right Miscellaneous Specialty Tools at Advance Auto Parts

 

[Hulty]

So, let me get this straight, you essentially need to push down on the bolt while pulling up on the wiper arm at the same time?

 

[RMinNJ]

So, let me get this straight, you essentially need to push down on the bolt while pulling up on the wiper arm at the same time?

Yes, but I am guessing..I have only done it on other cars. My brother borrowed my gear puller and he said it worked great on his Dodge Caravan wiper arm. It sounds like the Sonic is the same.

 

[Trevinator]

mine came off nice and easy, pulled the cap, took the nut off, pulled the arm off with a little rocking. but a 6 month old car is too new to have any corrosion to make it difficult. I didn't think it would be possible to crack the windshield trying to take the wipers off? glad you had glass coverage Hulty.

 

[94383Z71]

I removed the car, loosened the nut, tapped the wiper around the stud with a plastic deadblow semi-forcefully and rocked it back and forth. Came right off.

 

[mja]

I backed the nut off, wrapped arm + splined threaded bolt with shop towel, and got a vice grip above/below to pull it off the spline, like someone said a small gear puller would work too for this. Rocking the arms a bit after splines are loosened, they pop right off.

 

[TurtleOverlord]

The trick is to push down on the spring loaded part that keeps tension on the windshield.

That will allow the part the bolt goes through to line up and come out.

 

[mja]

The trick is to push down on the spring loaded part that keeps tension on the windshield.

That will allow the part the bolt goes through to line up and come out.

I tried that too, turns out mine was a little rusted onto the splines, a back & bicep day wasn't going to help get that off :blankface:

 

[OUWISH]

The trick is to push down on the spring loaded part that keeps tension on the windshield.

That will allow the part the bolt goes through to line up and come out.

So you undo nut remove nut. Lift up long narrowing section of wiper arm with one hand at same time push down on spring end of wiper arm and at same time pulling up up that spring end of wiper arm ?

 

[zippypcs]

Use rubber mallet on end with nut turned back on a few threads. Use 1 hand to kinda straighten out the wiper arm and tap with rubber mallet. it should come right loose.

 

[OUWISH]

Trying to find something on the cowl removal and photos of how it clips onto / under the lip / bottom edge of windshield. In the middle mine has popped up leaving a gap. Took photos. A guy said he can see ribs where the clips are. So whether these so called clips in that location have just slipped out or broken i don't know. There was never any work done around there. Doesn't see winters. Not sure how they would break and looks like there are several ribs in arrow. Will try to attach photos.

 

[OUWISH]

Cowling

 

[OUWISH]

Trying to find something on the cowl removal and photos of how it clips onto / under the lip / bottom edge of windshield. In the middle mine has popped up leaving a gap. Took photos. A guy said he can see ribs where the clips are. So whether these so called clips in that location have just slipped out or broken i don't know. There was never any work done around there. Doesn't see winters. Not sure how they would break and looks like there are several ribs in arrow. Will try to attach photos.