Wipers

[Jarv]

Yes, I know it's been done to death as to the reasons why wipers go slow. I took the whole wiper linkage unit and motor out and found the drivers side linkage spindle thing seized. I managed to get it out, but it was so seized that I damaged the top of the thread doing so.

So, does anyone know if these spindles are available from Audi as separate items and if so, around how much are they (picture below showing part in question)?

[PhilT]

I had the same problem, but managed to get it out, clean, and re-fit. I doubt the part is available on its own, and IIRC there wasn't much change out of £100 for the complete system

If it happens to me again, I'll go down the path of spending the money as I think it makes sense. My fixed system took some time, and the wiper judders a little.

[PaulF]

Bit of a side step but still wipers related. I have just fitted those newer style floppy wipers, like I had on my pevious TT. There is no judder and they clean effectively over the whole swept area. I bought them from a Volkswagen garage (long storey), they are the same as Passat wipers.

[Jarv]

Phil, you are right, the two spindles come together with the base unit that they go into. Part number 3B1 955 603 B in case anyone wants to know. It's £78.01 plus vat, which I'm not massively unhappy about. I need it ASAP so I'll have to order from my local dealer.

Paul, I think you're referring to the aero-wipers, they're great. One of the first things I did when I bought my RS was to upgrade to them. VAGparts of course.

[waitey1]

When mine siezed up Bradford Audi had linkage in stock,this happens when they need them frequentley, so I`m told.. Aero-wipers? my standard ones drive me mad when intermittent wipe selected.

[simon_golf_tt]

Thanks Jarv - you prompted me to take mine to bits last night and fix them. Mine were almost seized too - exactly the same as yours. I damaged the end of one of mine slightly too but managed to fix it by running a die back down the thread. Looks like you snapped a bit off possibly? This is the most difficult part - getting the old wiper arms off before you can even start on the wiper mechanism. I ended up using a ball joint spliter to pop the arms off!!

It's tricky getting the wiper mechanism out from behing the ecu box! I reverted to removing the ecu box mounting screws so could pull it back towards the front of the car. Then the mechanism and motor can free. All back together now and works like new. Plenty of grease should keep it working for a good while too.

Thanks for the prompt!! £100 is not too bad if it happens again.

[Jarv]

Aero-wipers?

Basically, they are a cleaner look and work more efficiently, well worth the £70 odd from VAGParts. Give them a call, they'll sort you out

Thanks Jarv - you prompted me to take mine to bits last night and fix them. Mine were almost seized too - exactly the same as yours. I damaged the end of one of mine slightly too but managed to fix it by running a die back down the thread. Looks like you snapped a bit off possibly? This is the most difficult part - getting the old wiper arms off before you can even start on the wiper mechanism. I ended up using a ball joint spliter to pop the arms off!!

It's tricky getting the wiper mechanism out from behing the ecu box! I reverted to removing the ecu box mounting screws so could pull it back towards the front of the car. Then the mechanism and motor can free. All back together now and works like new. Plenty of grease should keep it working for a good while too.

Thanks for the prompt!! £100 is not too bad if it happens again.

No probs. I thought someone might spot the short thread! It was my lame attempt at a temporary fix as I didn't have a die set. I just cut the damaged top bit off in the hope that there was enough thread left to temporarily hold the wiper on, which there wasn't. It's not a problem, the car's off the road all week and I have a courtesy car. I ordered the bits last night and they'll be in Wednesday. I took the ECU and it's box out too. If you look on Audi World there's a tech article on how to remove the wiper assembly and it says that you can get it out without removing the ECU with a bit of jiggling. Don't be fooled, I think that's with an S4 and the brake servo assembly must be that bit bigger on an RS4 and that gets in the way.

Glad you have fixed yours Simon. I definitely think it's better to sort it out sooner rather than later or the motor will get burnt out.

[simon_golf_tt]

Ahh so you cut the end off !! Makes sense. Mine wasn't really that badly damaged just one thread was a bit squashed where I smacked it with a hammer!

I read that tech article on audi world too and yep came to the conclusion that no amount of jiggling was bringing that mechanism out without moving the ECU box!

The tech article also said 1hr to do the job - more like 2 for me!

My main motivation for fixing this was the slow sweep of the wipers but yes eventually the motor would burn out. So better to fix sooner rather than later. Even though the mechanism is not too bad at £100 - there is something satisfying about fixing something yourself for zero outlay! Plus I like to tinker!!

[Jarv]

The tech article also said 1hr to do the job - more like 2 for me!

And they gave it a degree of difficulty rating of 2/10, and I still screwed it up!

Still, my passenger side wiper works perfectly.

[mikeyquattro]

I had my wiper mech. in bits this evening. Same thing, drivers side semi seized.
Removed it and after removing c clip, WD40'd it and put the wiper arm back on so I could turn it whist pushing down. Once it started moving down it gt a bit easier.
Stripped cleaned, re-greased and replaced............ Lush!

[neckarsulm]

VW/Audi are now doing aero wiper conversion kits so you don't need the arms, the aero blades clip to the existing arms.
£19.99 + VAT for Mk4 Golf/Bora from main dealers, if they don't do A4 yet they will soon.

[Virdee Autos]

I don't like the look of these personally, but obviously cheaper than getting new arms

[rs4raz]

my wipers have also gone slow is it easy to fix if i try myself or is it best to leave it for the dealers. also any ideas on cost

[mikeyquattro]

my wipers have also gone slow is it easy to fix if i try myself or is it best to leave it for the dealers. also any ideas on cost

Not too bad a job if you're handy wioth the spanners. Took me about an hour to complete

[rickoshea]

Old thread I know....but guess what's just happened to my wipers

It's the drivers side linkage that has semi-seized ( which sounds ' normal ' from reading many threads on the subject ).

Question. How does one remove the ECU box to get the linkage out ??

I can only find one bolt ( LHS ) , + a grey rubber boot toward the front of the car. With the bolt removed, the ECU box appears to be well stuck

Have I missed something obvious ?

TIA

Rick.