Broken Windscreen Wiper

Z

Zeld4

Senior member
 Oxford
So, driving to Gateshead from High Wycombe this morning, suddenly the drivers side wiper sort of flops to the side, no movement. It still looks attached normally but it just floppy, while the other one you can’t move about.

Any ideas anyone what the hell has happened?
 
I know the description makes total sense to you but .. Is this when you are driving? with wipers switched on or off?

Do you mean the arm connection or the blade? - can you post us some photos?
 
Linkage probably seized and popped the ball joint off. If you take the scuttle cover off all will be revealed. Unfortunately because the linkages are fairly well hidden they get a bit neglected when it comes to lubrication / greasing.

This thread should sort you out... http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16915

You'll probably need one of these... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-E86-2002-2008-Windscreen-Wiper-Motor-Linkage-Link-Rod-Repair-Clip/252326474081?fits=Model%3AZ4&epid=2075389334&hash=item3abfd47161:g:j-QAAMXQ1d1TIcx3

..and maybe one of these to help you get the wiper arms off which can be a bit of a bitch... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Terminal-Windscreen-Wiper-Arm-Altrernator-Bearing-Puller-Tool/190979369022?epid=1756536338&hash=item2c7741e83e:g:MoMAAOxypNtSj6Y7
 
If its the spindle and ball coupling, instead of replacing at around £300 drill through the pivot and put a split pin through. Worked for me cost 99p and i still have 9 split pins left. Alternatively there are clips sold on EBay for not a lot of money that will hold the ball joint in place.
 
Crazy Harry said:
I know the description makes total sense to you but .. Is this when you are driving? with wipers switched on or off?

Do you mean the arm connection or the blade? - can you post us some photos?
Click to expand...

Yes I mean the arm, it’s nit moving and just blowing around in the wind
 
ph001 said:
Linkage probably seized and popped the ball joint off. If you take the scuttle cover off all will be revealed. Unfortunately because the linkages are fairly well hidden they get a bit neglected when it comes to lubrication / greasing.

This thread should sort you out... http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16915

You'll probably need one of these... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-E85-E86-2002-2008-Windscreen-Wiper-Motor-Linkage-Link-Rod-Repair-Clip/252326474081?fits=Model%3AZ4&epid=2075389334&hash=item3abfd47161:g:j-QAAMXQ1d1TIcx3

..and maybe one of these to help you get the wiper arms off which can be a bit of a bitch... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Terminal-Windscreen-Wiper-Arm-Altrernator-Bearing-Puller-Tool/190979369022?epid=1756536338&hash=item2c7741e83e:g:MoMAAOxypNtSj6Y7
Click to expand...

Thanks for all of that, just took it to halford and the nice bloke put the leaver back on the ball joint, so all ok for the moment
 
If it's popped off once it's probably worn so will pop off again until you buy one of those clips or use the split pin technique posted above.
 
bowler said:
If its the spindle and ball coupling, instead of replacing at around £300 drill through the pivot and put a split pin through. Worked for me cost 99p and i still have 9 split pins left. Alternatively there are clips sold on EBay for not a lot of money that will hold the ball joint in place.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply, with these clips is there no need to drill?
 
I am writing in my capacity as the Forum member least likely to fix anything, but I fixed the wiper on the driver's side with one of the clips I got from eBay - link in above post.

Much to my astonishment several months on from doing the fix it all still works!

If I can do that, then anyone can.
 
RickRob said:
I am writing in my capacity as the Forum member least likely to fix anything, but I fixed the wiper on the driver's side with one of the clips I got from eBay - link in above post.

Much to my astonishment several months on from doing the fix it all still works!

If I can do that, then anyone can.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that RickRob, did you have to remove the wipers at all, or is it just a case of getting under the scuttle to attach the clip?
 
Zeld4 said:
RickRob said:
I am writing in my capacity as the Forum member least likely to fix anything, but I fixed the wiper on the driver's side with one of the clips I got from eBay - link in above post.

Much to my astonishment several months on from doing the fix it all still works!

If I can do that, then anyone can.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that RickRob, did you have to remove the wipers at all, or is it just a case of getting under the scuttle to attach the clip?
Click to expand...

I removed the wiper off its spline and then had to remove the cross strut and the diagonal brace in order to get at the screws that hold the scuttle in place. Fortunately the wiper was not too tight on the spline, but I have read that can be a problem and you need some kind of puller thing. I don't think that you can get the clip on without the scuttle raised.

My biggest challenge was that the picture I was looking at had the whole thing upside down. Once I turned the clip over it was less than 10 minutes to get it all back together! Regrettably I didn't take any pics, proabably because I was none too confident of actually completing the job! But I was mighty proud when it was done. :)

Good luck!
 
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