Drew_Saratoga NY

This morning it was cold out. A little precip on the windshield. I hit the wipers and one moved while the other tried to. Now it is a permanent thing. Are these things keyed? I see the shaft turning for the wiper, so things are still working. Am I correct to assume there is a key or something along those lines that broke?

Adam Mowafy

the wiper arm grooves for the splines arent very strong. I found this out the hard way last winter when I got lazy and tried to brush the snow off my window by using the wipers.......BIG NO NO.

I wasnt about to spend $50 for a new wiper arm. so I took a chisel and tried to make the grooves come back to life, then i locktited the wiper back on. has'nt moved since.

I wouldnt recommend this fix unless you are aware of the fact that the wiper arm may never come off again

Drew_Saratoga NY

Hmm, at least the fault is on the wiper arm and not the shaft. Thanks for the quick fix, I may use it.

Adam Mowafy

Yes that is true. Id rather have to replace or fix an easily removable arm rather than a motor.....

TonyOldSchool

LocTite, use a torch (careful!) or use a small puller and it will snap! I use alot of Locktite on pump bearings and some seals. I think a red will be ok. Some are real strong and may be almost impossable to remove w/o heat.

5000CDQturbo

My wife and I work at the same company .... so when we got out of
work I started the Audi and went outside to scrape the windows ... I had
just got the brush in my hands when I could see she was turning on the
wipers ..... NOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo . The wipers were glued to
the window by the ice ..... I immediately pulled them of the frozen tundra
and found that both of them had been F*&^%ed . It was a quiet drive
home with the wife looking the other way , but I didn't jump all over her,
because I knew I could play in the garage. ( not that I need her
permission ) As I investigated the wiper arm I noticed the nuts were very
loose ... ooops I must not of tighten them after I repainted them in the
summer.

lesson learned ::: always keep you mouth shut :-)

Drew_Saratoga NY

Excellent. Thanks for all the info. And the sympathy story CDQ

Scott Miller

The motor drive under the hood also has one similar tapered drive, that should give way before the motor gets damaged.

Drew_Saratoga NY

I tightened it. I called the local Audi guy and he said tighten the nut. Trusting his infinite knowledge I heeded his words.
But of course, the alternator belt is now loose... always gotta be something.