850 wiper arm problems

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 12 Sep 2009, 11:49

A while back I put a new wiper arm on my 1995 850. Now, everyso often, the wiper does not move, but the motor is on. Obviously the post no longer fits the female part of the wiper arm...Those splines are GONE! The real resolve would be to put in a new wiper assembly...$$$. Can I drill a hole in the wiper arm, through the post and put a pin? Any other band-aid solutions to this problem?

Post by **mvsuzr** » 12 Sep 2009, 12:14

I used a roll pin, and then put a little silicone sealer in both ends.

I also put some foil around the post to give it a little more bite.

It worked for two years until I threw the timing belt (ruins your whole day, and the motor too!)

Just put a small rag under the post to keep the shavings from getting into the air intake.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 12 Sep 2009, 15:51

The splines in the arm may be gone, but the spindle is made of much stouter stuff.
Get a sharp pointed implement, like an oil seal pick, and clean'em out.
After removing every speck of soft metal from the spindle shaft,
reinstall the arm, snug it down and go. (Tight, but not too tight).
I've repaired many wiper arms this way.

joemay · Post by **joemay** » 13 Sep 2009, 08:24

Hey try a little red loctite . that seemed to work for me.

icelandic · Post by **icelandic** » 13 Sep 2009, 14:46

Try this: Find a metal washer with a hole with a diameter bigger than the spindle that protrudes above the wipper arm attachment point. Put the arm in place, put the washer over the spindle, put the nut in place and tighten. The washer will force the wipper down on the spindle and it will hold.

Paul-93-850 · Post by **Paul-93-850** » 14 Oct 2009, 22:05

Driving on LA freeway in rain today when driver side wiper got stuck over to the left. Right side kept wiping. Kind of dangerous. Yes the spline in the arm was completely worn away. How can re-tightening with a second washer be secure when missing metal makes for a looser fit? Foil doesn't sound secure to make up for metal worn away. Can one precisely center drill a hole through the arm and post using a hand drill? Might it seriously weaken the post? If I could drill precise, might leave the drill in as the pin and then grind off the ends.

$49 for the wiper arm seems excessive in this depression economy.

9394volvo850s · Post by **9394volvo850s** » 15 Oct 2009, 20:18

i would just go to the local junk yard and get a new wiper assembly. it should take you a hour to install.

Paul-93-850 · Post by **Paul-93-850** » 16 Oct 2009, 00:12

Might need some luck at a junk yard because apparently the 93 is slightly different than the 94 and following years.

Too bad Volvo used such a cheap pressed in soft metal spline design.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 16 Oct 2009, 12:42

Paul-93-850 wrote:
Too bad Volvo used such a cheap pressed in soft metal spline design.

ALL cars are this way. It's a safety mechanism.
The arm is engineered to give if blocked.
The shaft just needs to have the splines cleared back out and the arm reinstalled.
Read my post above to save 90% of the splineless arms out there.

Paul-93-850 · Post by **Paul-93-850** » 07 Dec 2009, 20:18

After securely tightening the arm in place and testing the wiper, I drilled a 1/16 hole through the arm and post then put a 1/16 cotter pin in the hole.
Drill slow and keep oiling the drill. Use a fine wire brush and a little file to knock out the metal that accumulates in the drill bit channels.

Make sure you or someone can drill straight, you only get one clean shot.