Rear wiper not seated right

So my 02 Yukon XL rear wiper works BUT it doesn’t touch the glass. It won’t sit down in the holder (whatever that’s called) and when I turn it on it goes and barely hits the bottom part of the glass and then it comes away and goes back to the same spot. It’s far enough up off the holder that I have to push it down to open the back glass.
The thing on the bottom of the arm that slides into the holder is also too far forward.



any ideas?
Order a new one?
Anybody had this happen before?

Pictures would help.

Sounds like a bent arm or a problem with the park on it. The bent arm could be the reason not all the blade hits the glass. If the arm is able to be pulled off and reinstalled at a different spline to allow for a full park, do that. May have been impacted with something at some time that bent the arm and damaged the park mode. May need to get a rear wiper transmission.

Here is the arm but no listing for rear transmission at RA: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1027956&cc=1380372&jsn=900

Turns out the rear transmission is part of the rear wiper motor: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=338717&cc=1381047&jsn=866

Welcome to the forum and post some pics of your rig, inside and out.


We recommend that you put all your rig(s) info in your signature so we all don’t have to guess at year, make, model, engine size, trans, rear axle locker…….etc. While you may have posted pertinent info in your first post, you may forget to do it again and the info is needed by us anyway. Makes it way easier on all members that attempt to help, to have that info right up front. It is also recommended that you take a pic of your RPO codes, on the inside cover of the glove box, and post that image in your signature. All this info will greatly help those that will try to help with a problem.


If there is any other info, like upgrades, mods or recent mechanical/maintenance work done, that would be helpful in any post as well. Too many times a question is asked by the poster and after about 10 responses we find out that the poster has done recent work to attempt to fix the problem or work that was done that SEEMS not related to the problem.

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics, please.

As already advised above, pick up a new wiper arm and a new wiper blade from Rock Auto. This will give you a properly moving wiper arm with a fresh, strong spring to keep the blade on the window. This was one of the first items I replaced, when I purchased my new-to-me 07 Yukon.

Some folks, including me, had difficulty getting the old wiper arm off of the wiper motor spline. I had to use PB Blaster penetrating oil, plus a small pulley puller to get my old wiper arm off the spline.

I have no idea what your last sentence means, that’s part of the reason for a picture or two. This one:”The thing on the bottom of the arm that slides into the holder is also too far forward. “

My best guess was the tab on the bottom of the arm that settles into the small holder when the wiper arm parks. You can see it out and in the holder and is the white looking tab. Should be black but that is on my list of things to update.

This is the holder that the rear arm tab settles in: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3885897&cc=1431156&jsn=901

Sounds like the elbow joint / joint that’s spring loaded, is sticking. Put a dab of penetrating oil on it and exercise the joint until it goes back to where it’s supposed to.
Or just replacing the arm gets you a new joint, I’ve been thinking about pricing an arm myself, cause the paints half gone anyway

ks03 said:

Sounds like the elbow joint / joint that’s spring loaded, is sticking. Put a dab of penetrating oil on it and exercise the joint until it goes back to where it’s supposed to.
Or just replacing the arm gets you a new joint, I’ve been thinking about pricing an arm myself, cause the paints half gone anyway

Click to expand...

A Dorman arm at RA is #42551 for $33.79

A GM arm at RA is #15711688 for $83.79

A GM arm at Amazon is #15711688 for $77.10

A GM arm at GM Parts Giant is #15711688 for $68.76

A GM arm at GM Parts Warehouse is #15711688 for $66.62

The Dorman one comes with the washer hose attached. The others don't say, one way or another.

PNW VietVet said:

A Dorman arm at RA is #42551 for $33.79

Click to expand...

searched that dorman number and found it on amazon for 33.04 shipped

Yea, I saw that too but forgot to post that info from Amazon. The $30 to $40 difference may be the reason to go with a Dorman one because of how often the rear wiper is not even used. The park pad attached at the tailgate is also available at either RA or Amazon.