Windshield Wiper Arm loose left to right, and up/down

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 04 Sep 2010, 23:33

My driver side windshield wiper arm is loose. I have the arms in the up position, and the driver's side has a large gap between the rubber blade and the windshield itself.

When I checked the passenger side, it is just right. Good downward pressure on the wiper blade pushing the rubber against against the windshield.

HOWEVER, on the driver side, the arm is not only loose up and down, but also a bit left to right as well. After looking at the wiper blade manual pdf file from Volvo. I see there is only one nut to loosen/tighten. How could just one nut control the "travel" in both the left/ride and up/down dimensions??? The nut itself is on pretty tight..it doesn't feel loose. I'm going to mess around w/the nut right now...

Any ideas??

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 05 Sep 2010, 00:46

This is a know issue on the 850/S70. There are two ways to fix it. You can replace the arm which is the best way to go because it is a permanent fix or, if you are strapped for cash at the moment, you can bend the arm so that it contacts the windshield again. Over time though, the bend will start to come out and the wiper will no long touch so if you can do it, just buy a new arm.

Post by **jreed** » 05 Sep 2010, 03:55

I agree with the advice above. I have a 97 855 GLT with 140K miles and I've had to bend my arm twice, once in 2004 and again just last week, to keep the driver's side wiper making good contact.
To bend the arm is probably less work than to replace the arm, but you may have to do it periodically. To bend the arm,
1: stop the wiper arms at the full top position by actuating them and shutting off the key at the top of the swing. Make a note of the location of the driver's arm on the windshield to simplify re-installation alignment,
2: loosen the nut (I think it's 13mm) and lift the arm off of the spline,
3: Put three or more layers of corrugated cardboard down on the floor.
4: Step on the backside of the arm while pulling up gently to induce a small bend in the arm. Mine needed to be bent about 1cm.
5: Reinstall.
Good luck!

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 05 Sep 2010, 16:51

Thanks guys I used the old fashioned way, sheer strength haha.

Couple questions though...As this is a known problem, why have I only seen this problem posted about the driver side arm..how come the passenger side isn't affected, that doesn't make sense?? What's the difference between the two?

Honestly, I don't see the point of buying a new arm if the problem is only going to happen again, and I'll be back to the same problem and solutions (buy a new one, or bend it). Or rather, why is buying a new arm a "permanent fix" as FCP Groton mentioned above?

Post by **jreed** » 05 Sep 2010, 18:39

I haven't bought a new arm, but from what I've read there is a V70 version of the arm that is redesigned and stronger than the original one for the 850's. Maybe somebody who has seen the V70 version can comment...?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 05 Sep 2010, 20:22

Well, I've got close to 124K on my '98 V70 and haven't had that problem...
I just buy new blades once in a while. Does that help?

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 05 Sep 2010, 21:37

Why are the left and right arms different prices? lol Also, IPD and FCP only have wiper arms by scan-tech; are these ok to buy or they crap like all the other scan-tech products?

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 06 Sep 2010, 16:09

I'd still like to know the following for which I posted if anyone knows

why have I only seen this problem posted about the driver side arm..how come the passenger side isn't affected, that doesn't make sense?? What's the difference between the two?

Honestly, I don't see the point of buying a new arm if the problem is only going to happen again, and I'll be back to the same problem and solutions (buy a new one, or bend it). Or rather, why is buying a new arm a "permanent fix" as FCP Groton mentioned above?