Windshield wiper squeak - solved
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Windshield wiper squeak - solved
I thought I'd post a solution to a very annoying windshield wiper squeak.
I went through 2 sets of new wipers trying to combat a loud and embarrassing squeak whenever the wipers were on. Sadly, one of those sets cost me $100 CDN because I had the dealer do it (wiper + labor + taxes = approx $100). Grrr.
In my case, it was just the bushing on the shaft around which the passenger wiper rotates that needed some oil. Problem solved.
Procedure:
1) open hood
2) reach over and yank off the big plastic piece that covers the assembly at the base of the passenger wiper arm. You don't need tools, but you have to yank fairly hard as it's held in place by friction and maybe a tab that grips something.
3) 3 or 4 drops of oil (I used 3-in-1 household oil) into the ring that is the bushing around the shaft that the wiper arm rotates around
4) press the plastic cover back on and close the hood
Congratulate yourself on saving $100.
After 30 seconds of wiper use for the oil to distribute over the shaft, no more squeak.
I went through 2 sets of new wipers trying to combat a loud and embarrassing squeak whenever the wipers were on. Sadly, one of those sets cost me $100 CDN because I had the dealer do it (wiper + labor + taxes = approx $100). Grrr.
In my case, it was just the bushing on the shaft around which the passenger wiper rotates that needed some oil. Problem solved.
Procedure:
1) open hood
2) reach over and yank off the big plastic piece that covers the assembly at the base of the passenger wiper arm. You don't need tools, but you have to yank fairly hard as it's held in place by friction and maybe a tab that grips something.
3) 3 or 4 drops of oil (I used 3-in-1 household oil) into the ring that is the bushing around the shaft that the wiper arm rotates around
4) press the plastic cover back on and close the hood
Congratulate yourself on saving $100.
After 30 seconds of wiper use for the oil to distribute over the shaft, no more squeak.
The following users liked this post:
naps45 (05-03-24)
#2
I thought I'd post a solution to a very annoying windshield wiper squeak.
I went through 2 sets of new wipers trying to combat a loud and embarrassing squeak whenever the wipers were on. Sadly, one of those sets cost me $100 CDN because I had the dealer do it (wiper + labor + taxes = approx $100). Grrr.
In my case, it was just the bushing on the shaft around which the passenger wiper rotates that needed some oil. Problem solved.
Procedure:
1) open hood
2) reach over and yank off the big plastic piece that covers the assembly at the base of the passenger wiper arm. You don't need tools, but you have to yank fairly hard as it's held in place by friction and maybe a tab that grips something.
3) 3 or 4 drops of oil (I used 3-in-1 household oil) into the ring that is the bushing around the shaft that the wiper arm rotates around
4) press the plastic cover back on and close the hood
Congratulate yourself on saving $100.
After 30 seconds of wiper use for the oil to distribute over the shaft, no more squeak.
I went through 2 sets of new wipers trying to combat a loud and embarrassing squeak whenever the wipers were on. Sadly, one of those sets cost me $100 CDN because I had the dealer do it (wiper + labor + taxes = approx $100). Grrr.
In my case, it was just the bushing on the shaft around which the passenger wiper rotates that needed some oil. Problem solved.
Procedure:
1) open hood
2) reach over and yank off the big plastic piece that covers the assembly at the base of the passenger wiper arm. You don't need tools, but you have to yank fairly hard as it's held in place by friction and maybe a tab that grips something.
3) 3 or 4 drops of oil (I used 3-in-1 household oil) into the ring that is the bushing around the shaft that the wiper arm rotates around
4) press the plastic cover back on and close the hood
Congratulate yourself on saving $100.
After 30 seconds of wiper use for the oil to distribute over the shaft, no more squeak.
#3
Anyway, once the cap is removed the arm can be lifted further and the blade removed and a new one inserted as with the fronts.
The following users liked this post:
lccgl479 (11-08-21)
#4
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I was taken aback at the cost but the the double-whammy was that the squeak was not cured. Unfortunately, it was I who had asked them to change the wipers, only casually mentioning that it was squeaking. Had I said "please fix the squeak" and they failed by simply replacing the wipers, I might have a case for asking them to fix it again. But no, I asked them to do something and they did it. Further, they dutifully packaged the old wipers in a bag (along with the old brake pads) and gave them to me. I paid them for services rendered.
Out of frustration, I bought a set of Michelin blades from Costco and swapped them in [and found out replacing wipers is really easy]. The squeaking persisted [argh!] which led me to bear down and figure out the real solution I posted above.
Let me tell you, it's really embarassing to have a passenger in what most people would consider a luxury vehicle, a late/current model one at that, and in the rain have it go squeak-squeak-squeak during the entire trip!
#5
Yes, I was unhappy about that. It was in the shop for brakes and I asked them to change the wipers since it was there. I had a feeling I would regret the cost, but if they had cured the squeak (which was driving me crazy), it would have been worth it.
I was taken aback at the cost but the the double-whammy was that the squeak was not cured. Unfortunately, it was I who had asked them to change the wipers, only casually mentioning that it was squeaking. Had I said "please fix the squeak" and they failed by simply replacing the wipers, I might have a case for asking them to fix it again. But no, I asked them to do something and they did it. Further, they dutifully packaged the old wipers in a bag (along with the old brake pads) and gave them to me. I paid them for services rendered.
Out of frustration, I bought a set of Michelin blades from Costco and swapped them in [and found out replacing wipers is really easy]. The squeaking persisted [argh!] which led me to bear down and figure out the real solution I posted above.
Let me tell you, it's really embarassing to have a passenger in what most people would consider a luxury vehicle, a late/current model one at that, and in the rain have it go squeak-squeak-squeak during the entire trip!
I was taken aback at the cost but the the double-whammy was that the squeak was not cured. Unfortunately, it was I who had asked them to change the wipers, only casually mentioning that it was squeaking. Had I said "please fix the squeak" and they failed by simply replacing the wipers, I might have a case for asking them to fix it again. But no, I asked them to do something and they did it. Further, they dutifully packaged the old wipers in a bag (along with the old brake pads) and gave them to me. I paid them for services rendered.
Out of frustration, I bought a set of Michelin blades from Costco and swapped them in [and found out replacing wipers is really easy]. The squeaking persisted [argh!] which led me to bear down and figure out the real solution I posted above.
Let me tell you, it's really embarassing to have a passenger in what most people would consider a luxury vehicle, a late/current model one at that, and in the rain have it go squeak-squeak-squeak during the entire trip!
I know what you mean about embarrassing car noises; my friends car squeaks at low speed because it had a bad belt. Now thats embarrassing! And my old Lexus used to have a bad starter so it sometimes would not start and just turn over over and making a loud grinding noise.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
You mean bracket-less wiper blades, they are great in the winter, no more frozen wiper brackets,
#7
Driver School Candidate
Resurrecting an old thread, I wanted to post some pictures of what needs to be removed to oil the part mentioned. Here it is:
1. Front of car view
<a href="http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bigworm0002/media/lexus20wiper202_zpsu156gaku.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u650/bigworm0002/lexus20wiper202_zpsu156gaku.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo lexus20wiper202_zpsu156gaku.jpg"/></a>
2. Underhood view
<a href="http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bigworm0002/media/lexus20wiper201_zpsaa50t3zp.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u650/bigworm0002/lexus20wiper201_zpsaa50t3zp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo lexus20wiper201_zpsaa50t3zp.jpg"/></a>
I had a lot of trouble just pulling the plastic cover off. So, I unscrewed the two nuts indicated on the second picture, took it to my work bench and used a screwdriver to pry the black plastic off. Then, the two pivot/bearings that need to be oiled are obvious and under there (they are for the two metal/black arms that attach to the two nuts that you unscrew). I used oil included with my Wahl hair trimmer/cutter! But whatever works is fine.
Mine went from VERY squeeky to silent after several back/forth swivels working in the oil.
I fought with my wipers for a few years always thinking it was them making the noise. Lo and behold, they were innocent.
Thanks to the OP for coming up with this. Great thread and very easy DIY.
1. Front of car view
<a href="http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bigworm0002/media/lexus20wiper202_zpsu156gaku.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u650/bigworm0002/lexus20wiper202_zpsu156gaku.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo lexus20wiper202_zpsu156gaku.jpg"/></a>
2. Underhood view
<a href="http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/bigworm0002/media/lexus20wiper201_zpsaa50t3zp.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u650/bigworm0002/lexus20wiper201_zpsaa50t3zp.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo lexus20wiper201_zpsaa50t3zp.jpg"/></a>
I had a lot of trouble just pulling the plastic cover off. So, I unscrewed the two nuts indicated on the second picture, took it to my work bench and used a screwdriver to pry the black plastic off. Then, the two pivot/bearings that need to be oiled are obvious and under there (they are for the two metal/black arms that attach to the two nuts that you unscrew). I used oil included with my Wahl hair trimmer/cutter! But whatever works is fine.
Mine went from VERY squeeky to silent after several back/forth swivels working in the oil.
I fought with my wipers for a few years always thinking it was them making the noise. Lo and behold, they were innocent.
Thanks to the OP for coming up with this. Great thread and very easy DIY.
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#8
Via a Google search yesterday, I found a guy on a Subaru forum who had my exact problem. He said he fixed it by scrubbing the windshield with Castrol Super Clean followed by cleaning with Invisible Glass. I did that yesterday. Guess I'll find out if it worked the next time it rains.
#9
Underside of plastic cover - photo
Below is a picture of the underside of the plastic cover that goes over the passenger side wiper hinge mechanism, that is pictured above. It was difficult to remove, as not only are there are 6 plastic clips that grap on to the wiper arm, but its also glued to the two circular hinge/bearing-points (its these bearings that start squeaking and need some oil or WD40 - see the circular, bright metal areas in the pics). Looking at my picture, and the one above, I started prying and pulling on the smaller section, on the left side, and was able to pull up the plastic cover enough to slip in a screwdriver, and pry and push farther in. I worked it very firmly, pulled the top and bottom side out and up, and thought it was going to break off, only to have the adhesive break loose, and have the cover come free. You do not need to unscrew and remove the wiper as one person above did - IMO (its an option, but not necessary, and you should mark your wiper blade spot on the windshield, as its very easy to mess up the alignment of the passenger wiper arm by removing it - hence my reluctance to suggest doing so).
Good luck. After a couple shots of WD-40, and letting it pool up and work its way into the bearings, the wipers are SILENT.
Serenity Now.
Good luck. After a couple shots of WD-40, and letting it pool up and work its way into the bearings, the wipers are SILENT.
Serenity Now.
Last edited by cleshock; 04-03-16 at 08:25 PM.
#10
Below is a picture of the underside of the plastic cover that goes over the passenger side wiper hinge mechanism, that is pictured above. It was difficult to remove, as not only are there are 6 plastic clips that grap on to the wiper arm, but its also glued to the two circular hinge/bearing-points (its these bearings that start squeaking and need some oil or WD40 - see the circular, bright metal areas in the pics). Looking at my picture, and the one above, I started prying and pulling on the smaller section, on the left side, and was able to pull up the plastic cover enough to slip in a screwdriver, and pry and push farther in. I worked it very firmly, pulled the top and bottom side out and up, and thought it was going to break off, only to have the adhesive break loose, and have the cover come free. You do not need to unscrew and remove the wiper as one person above did - IMO (its an option, but not necessary, and you should mark your wiper blade spot on the windshield, as its very easy to mess up the alignment of the passenger wiper arm by removing it - hence my reluctance to suggest doing so).
Good luck. After a couple shots of WD-40, and letting it pool up and work its way into the bearings, the wipers are SILENT.
Serenity Now.
Good luck. After a couple shots of WD-40, and letting it pool up and work its way into the bearings, the wipers are SILENT.
Serenity Now.
#11
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#14
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Squeaking windshield wiper
I recently got a 2006 RX400h and there is an annoying squeaking noise coming from the passenger wiper. The noise was there before I replaced the wiper blades, and is still there after replacement. I oiled the spring and anywhere I could see where it could make noise, but nothing helped. Strangely, the noise DOES NOT occur when the wiper is in the up position away from the windshield. I thought it could be oil on the windshield but I just washed that really thoroughly and it didn't help. Any ideas?
#15
Common issue. You have to carefully pry off the cover at the base of the wiper, and oil the two pins there. Mine broke when I removed it, though the temps were a little on the cold side. Might be easier in warmer weather.