1997 850 AWD Reconnecting passenger-side wiper linkage

[Caffeind]

So, for a while I've been having issues with my passenger-side wiper having some slop in it and either stopping on the windshield if it's too dry or banging on the dash if it's too slipper. I tried replacing the wiper arm and that seemed to help a bit but the problem was still there. The other day I was driving and suddenly my passenger wiper just stayed vertical in the windshield! I got home and opened things up to look at the wiper linkage (which to my embarrassment is a thing I only recently found out existed) and it turns out that the linkage has disconnected from the two pins that connect it to the passenger wiper-turning nub.

I tried just slotting the pins back in to the linkage but they came undone again after just a few cycles of the wipers. I've never seen a proper, working wiper linkage from any angle so I don't know what it's supposed to look like. The pins seem to have a flat spot on one side, like the top of a nail, and a short hollow tube for the pin part itself. They don't appear to be screws. Do any of you kind people know how these are supposed to properly attach? Are they like rivets and if they're broken, they're broken? Is there a secondary piece that clips in to hold them in place, or some other way to affix them? Or do I need to buy an entire wiper linkage unit?

Thanks for the help!

[dmack87]

Here is a wiper linkage replacement procedure with some pics. Perhaps one of them will answer your question. Could the pins you mentioned be rivets that have broken off?

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?198999-How-to-Change-your-wiper-motor-linkage-and-arms-%28arms-optional%29

Hope this might help.

[Caffeind]

That linkage looks a bit different than the one on mine, but the bits that broke are the pins/joints/rivets connecting the swiveling parts, like on the right side of the picture by where the shaft on the other poster's linkage broke. I'm guessing at this point I probably need to shell out for a new linkage.