Why is this happening? (Wipers)

[AntStark]

My new Z3 3.0.. Just sorting out the slime in my washer bottle .. removed, Milton and a shake with handful of nuts and bolts ..
flushed a whole bottle of fluid through the jets and they are much better.. …. anyway I digress.. I noticed my passenger wiper arm is catching on the bonnet when closed .. it makes a noticeable knocking noise and has rubbed the paint off. Is it just the arms aren’t on far enough.. they are damaged .. or something more sinister

 

[Oddly Godly]

It's possible it's been bent out of shape by the bonnet being put down with the wiper in the raised position

 

[t-tony]

I think you'll find that the wiper spindle bushes are worn out, allowing the swing of the wiper to pull the arm up to the bonnet. I had the same issue on my Z3 and I saw the same problem on Dawn's Z3 a couple of weeks ago.

Tony.

 

[AntStark]

Easy fix @t-tony ? ..or do I need to chat to Andy about a new linkage mechanism ?

 

[Peter1450]

Interested in the fix , my wife’s does the same ,although not quite as bad!

 

[AntStark]

Interested in the fix , my wife’s does the same ,although not quite as bad!

I’ll post up whatever I decide to do..probably a call to @spurs fan in a coupe for a new motor and mechanism from a car known to be without the problem ..loads on eBay that say they work but you’d never know until you fitted it. Pelican has good tutorial on how to remove.

BMW Z3 Wiper Component Replacement | 1996-2002 | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Windsheild wipers not operating as they should? This tech article shows you how to replace the wiper motor and transmission.

www.pelicanparts.com

 

[t-tony]

It was on an old Volvo I had years ago, because you could buy good 2nd hand parts. I doubt there will be many good Z3 wiper spindles left. Then It's a case of strip it all out and try repairing because I wouldn't think they're available new any more.

Tony.

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

I'll see what I have tomorrow.

 

[AntStark]

Ok so I took the plunge and decided to tackle this job this weekend. What I learnt....A) If yours isn’t as bad as mine just leave it B) Disconnect the battery..quick way to loose fingers! C) After extensive research on second hand parts it looks like the earlier mechanisms made by ITT Automotive are better than the later Valeo ones. I found a mint set of unmarked wiper arms on line and bought the mechanism off the same car …I am going to hope it fixes my issue. D) Getting the mechanism out is easier if you take the 3 bolts out that hold the motor E) Getting it back in can only be achieved with the mechanism in one specific position (see pic) F) Once out take the opportunity to clean out all the crap and drain holes..then mask up the area before you try putting the mechanism back in..you will scratch the paint. G) Once the mechanism is refitted run the wipers to check all works but also to reset the timing to the down position before putting the wipers back on. H) Take the opportunity to clean up the cover …I am going to remove the layers of black butyl gunk and put fresh on. ….I’ll add another post once all done and let you know if it fixed the problem.

coming out with years of dirt

only go back in in this position..

Yuk

 

[AntStark]

Had to order a couple of bits, so I’ll put it all back together this weekend. The new (second hand) wiper is unmarked so I am hoping the mechanism that came with it will be good. Gave the cover a good clean and a coat of auto glym vinyl and rubber care.

 

[AntStark]

So frustratingly with everything back together the issue is still there.
What I did notice was the plastic panel at the bottom of the windscreen should be tight flush against the glass..mine isn't. I also don't think it’s supposed to be sealed in with any gloop. So.. this makes me think that the replacement windscreen that its got hasn't been put in correctly. Could this be what is causing the arm to catch do you think ?

 

[Oddly Godly]

I'm not sure about the sealant. Autoglass took 4 attempts to fit my windscreen. On the 3rd attempt my passenger side footwell got soaked. They had fitted it incorrectly. I think they failed to put sealant somewhere

 

[t-tony]

So is the arm not catching on the bonnet now but it is fouling on the bottom edge of the w/screen ? Is there play in the spindle bushes? Was there play in the old spindle bushes?
If it doesn't foul on the bonnet now and there is no play in the "new" bushes you would have to assume the w/screen was fitted in the wrong position.

Tony.

 

[AntStark]

Hi Tony..no it’s still fouling the bonnet . No play in the spindles, they are rock solid. The new wiper blade and the mechanism were from a car without the issue. The windscreen is the only thing I can think of given the bottom panel doesn’t sit properly on it either

 

[AntStark]

Confirmed there is supposed to be a 5mm bead of sealant ..not that that fixes anything

 

[t-tony]

Only suggestion I have is to put some sort of packing under the mountings of the wiper rack to tilt it away from the bonnet. It would be a trial and error thing though.

Tony.

 

[GDavis]

Really silly question, I may be totally wrong but....
The arms are different lengths aren't they? Are they the correct way around or have you got two short ones ??

 

[AntStark]

Fair questions . Yip they are different lengths and the right way round. Luckily I have another zed to compare against.

 

[Digitalize]

Mine also does this, possible there’s different amounts of adjustment when installing?

 

[AntStark]

No real adjustment in the wiper mechanism. There is some adjustment to be had in the bonnet alignment, but that looks like a 2 or 3 person job.