Slap-Happy Wipers

[Mr. Jones]

Today was a rainy day in Kansas City,I'm driving around town with the drivers side wiper only.Had to remove the passenger side cause it's bad enough listening to just one.Looked under the dash,the two connecting arms appeared to connected properly,the two speed switch works.
Last summer I removed both arms,turned the switch on then off.Put them back on about 2" above the windshield trim,still slapped.Kept doing this with a hose wetting the glass,when they finally quite slapping and I turned the switch off, the stop position was vertical.That just looked weird.
Any one ever have this problem and managed to get them working right?Also before I go and start removing things,could the motors drive gears be worn out,are they metal or plastic?
Thanks Guys,

Dan-Kansas City

[foodstick]

Now this is just a guess, but I think the bases of the wipers start slipping on the splines...

[Mr. Jones]

Sounds like a good guess.I just went out to check for looseness,the splined shaft and wiper arm are a tight fit,turned them on and held wiper it didn't seem to slip,passenger side shaft (no arm) has about an 1/8 to 1/4 turn of play in it???????

[foodstick]

yeah that definitely means slop in the control arms and or shaft connections...

[Mr. Jones]

To dark now to go back out,so tomorrow I'll check under dash connections,any suggestions what I might be looking for?As I mentioned the fittings and associated hdwr. all looked good.

[Paul Merrell]

I have seen the pivot piece go bad. The little arm on the inside under dash comes loose on the pivot shaft.

[William-in-St George]

The pivots wear out and get loose and sloppy. The gaskets dry up and leak. The transmission arm bushings wear out and get sloppy. The motor park switch wears out and they park in the wrong position. The plastic gears crack or wear out and get sloppy. Sounds like you need to take the system out and carefully go over it and find the worn out parts and replace them. Not cheap by the way. You may want to check your local pull a part or after you know what parts you need post in the WTB section here. Some have extras. This may be an opportunity to up grade to a intermittent and two speed system. You will still need to replace the worn out stuff. If it's the motor and park switch then I would go to a later model intermittent system. Most of the stuff you need for that conversion is available on ebay or your local junk yard. The pivots and transmission arms are the most difficult and expensive to get. Wish I had more positive answers.

[DV65CustomCab]

I've got a supply of the arms with decent bushings if anyone needs them (used).