Noisey front windscreen wiper motor

[James Edwards]

It sounds as if the gears need lubrication??? - how can I check
Thanks
James
C250td est

 

[djcheung]

James,

I have just lubricated mine yesterday.
There should be two plastic covers on the end of the wiper arm on top of the motor.
Unclip the small long one ( by pulling it outward slightly on the sides. Once out you can slide it slowly towards the motor to get it free) and the wiper shaft will be exposed. Put some grease there.
You can also unclip the larger cover the same way but sliding towards the wiper arm to expose the mechanism. Put some grease here as well.

Hope this help.

 

[James Edwards]

Thanks for your help.
The long narrow cover to expose the piston/plunger was no prob.
I cannot move the cover at the base to expose the gears - Does the cover lift before sliding?? It looks as if it is all in one piece - don't want to force it too much!
Does the wiper arm come off in one piece or just the cover? Does the wiper have to be in a certain position on the windscreen?
Perhaps you can give a bit more detail!
James
98 250td Est Sport

 

[djcheung]

James,

I was a bit cautious at first but once you have done it once then it is easy.

All you need to do is to pull the bottom side edges sideways slightly while lifting the cover upward ( the cover only clips onto the base).
Once the cover is up then you can slide it forward ( you can't take this off unless you take the actual wiper arm off as well).
You should get enough clearance to have a good look at the mechanism and pack some grease in.
Lifting the bonnet right up straight will help access.

Good luck.

 

[James Edwards]

David
Well, had a go today & did exactly as you said. In fact took off the wiper arm to have a good look! The interior was exposed & rods etc were well greased.
The problem is not under the outer cover but further in towards the wiper motor. In fact the wiper moves quite freely and the noise sounds like deep throated frog croaking!! There must be some cog wheels in there, perhaps a worn bearing? How does one take off the casting that the rods (for sliding) and wiper arm are attached to?
If you cannot help there must be someone out there who have experienced this problem.
Best wishes
James from Kent

 

[GrahamC230K]

Sounds much like my problem.


Follow the link http://www.bnzsport.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=795

The post above is quite intersting, I have stripped down the air ducting below the windscreen and I also have a link to a WAV file of the sound mine makes.

I could NOT get the base cover off of the wiper as you describe above :x

 

[James Edwards]

Graham - thanks for advice

Took your advice & saw photographs etc on web page.
Once the outer cover at base of wiper arm is removed, then rather than go to all that work to expose the wiper motor I would have thought that there would be a way to remove the base plate??? (Sliding mechanism attached) I did notice a small hole in it???
There must be someone out there who has the answer!
Thanks
James from Kent with a croaking wiper motor!
98 250td Est Sport (125k)

 

[GrahamC230K]

I got a price from MB:

New Wiper Motor = £150 + vat


My car is going in for servicing later in the week and this will be investigated. Should be covered by the dealers (not MB) warrenty. I'll let you know the outcome.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I cannot take credit for finding this (it was a co-member on another forum) but take a look here:


http://electric.articles.mbz.org/wipers/

 

[James Edwards]

The prob is nearer the motor

Thanks Graham
Very interesting web page - I have lubricated the area mentioned but the noise is coming from nearer the wiper motor - its how to get in there???
It appears that very few wiper probs have been put up on the forums - anyway I am waiting for an answer!
Cheers
James
Was rainy, now flooded Kent!

 

[GrahamC230K]

Same as me.

So far, I have lubrcated the mechanism shown, in the link above, and the shaft which extends on the wiper here:

My sound is also coming from the motor, I am taking my car into the garage soon, who I am sure will do their best to repair instead of replace as this is a warranty item. I will let you know more when I do.

 

[James Edwards]

Wiper

Graham
Thanks for the photo.
Yes, thats exactly the same as the 250td.
We removed the round bars but could not see how to take the base plate off as I think???? there may be some lubrication to do under there!
Just to recap - the wiper is quite free moving with no friction = its the croaking sound of the gears that worries me!
James
In Kent

 

[GrahamC230K]

Just to recap - the wiper is quite free moving with no friction = its the croaking sound of the gears that worries me!

That's the descriptiion for me too.

This is the sound mine makes http://www.gsbweb.btinternet.co.uk/wipernoise.wav

 

[GrahamC230K]

Replacement of the wiper motor has solved all my troubles, and it is now much better than before.

Worn bearings are believed to be the problem, but these are not available separately.

Luckily for me, this was all done no quible under my waranty.

 

[James Edwards]

Wiper

Graham
You lucky man!
Do you know how much it would have cost if you had paid?
All the best for 2003
James
In Kent

 

[GrahamC230K]

The part is £150 + VAT from MB.

The garage I use is an independant, not a dealership, but basically

£176.25 +fitting


I should think an hour would cover fitting.


I would have tackled the job DIY, I think, if it had come to it (which is unusual for me).

 

[James Edwards]

Wiper

Graham
So you know how to fit a new wiper motor!
This is the question I have been trying to find out - Is it get attable from the panel next to the wiper or from behind the instrument panel inside?
My car is due for a service next week & I have to make a quick decision!
Thanks
James
From Kent - 98' - 250td Est 125K

 

[GrahamC230K]

OK, as the garage did the actual work, bear in mind that I did not actually do the last satge but....................


You would need to strip the car down to this level

The link I included previously has more step, by step information.

Then I believe you need to undo 4 bolts to remove the hole wiper assembly, as you need to get to the underside to remove the motor itself.

Hope all goes well for you too.

 

[James Edwards]

Wiper

Graham
Thanks for being so helpful.
Earlier I missed that web page you suggested & went on it today. That was an excellent description - just what I wanted.
I will decide on the next move, maybe get a quote - the noise is ok when car is on the move - I suppose its best fixed sooner than later.
Busy this week so will come back next weekend.
BNZSport.com site is interesting!
Saw another site this week that is ok for general interest www.honestjohn
Kind regards
James
Cold in Kent - 98' - 250td sport est - 25k

 

[James Edwards]

Wiper

Graham
Made some inquires today from our local MB main dealer.
Cost of wiper motor £147-50 + VAT – Fitting approx one & a half hours @ £75/hr
BUT apparently there is a unit with gears attached that is – wait for it - £343 + VAT!!!!
I am now in a situation whereby a diagnosis is required.
Perhaps there is someone out there who has experienced this prob?
Is this problem so rare?
Regards
James
98’ 250td Est – sport – 125K with a croaking wiper unit