Front/Rear Wipers - Inoperative
Article No. 86-14-5WIPERS - FRONT/REAR INOPERATIVE - ARM RETAINING NUTS LOOSE
MERKUR 1985-86 XR4Ti
Complaints of inoperative front and/or rear wipers on 1985-86 Merkur XR4Ti vehicles may be due to a loose wiper arm retaining nut. This concern may occur on affected vehicles when the wipers are turned on with a heavy snow load on the arms or if the blades are frozen to the glass. When these conditions are present and there is a loose retaining nut, the pivot shaft may back off the retaining nut before the wiper motor stalls.
It should be noted that arm replacement is not required when this occurs. The wiper arms used on the Merkur XR4Ti do not have serrations matching the splined pivot shaft. The tapered female end of the arm contains an aluminum insert and when the retaining nut is properly tightened, the steel serrations of the pivot shaft cut into the aluminum providing the necessary retention. The service procedure is as follows:
1. Remove the loosened arm and assure the cone area and the pivot shaft are clean and free of metal particles.
2. Turn wiper motor on and off to ensure it is in park position.
3. Assemble the arm, washer and retaining nut to the pivot shaft in the park position. Tighten the nut to 16-18 N-m (12-13 ft.lbs.).
4. With the glass wet, cycle the wiper system through several cycles and check the blade clearance for proper position on the glass and the return to park.
5. Re-tighten the nut to assure it has a final torque reading of 18 N-m (13-14 ft.lbs.).
NOTE: The torque specifications in this article for the wiper arm retaining nut supersede those published in Section 35-60 of the 1985-86 Merkur XR4Ti Shop Manual.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Reimbursable within the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual.
OPERATION: SP17526B86
TIME: 0.3 Hr. DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 17526 - Code: 57