windshield wipers not aligned right

[rchurch5945]

I just got my Tahoe out of the paint shop and they installed a new windshield. Now the wipers are not aligned correctly. The drivers side swings way past where it should stop and in the off position it sits way too high. I took it off to make sure it is installled right and it is in the groove on the wiper arm. The driver's and passenger's arms seem the same size and there is no problem with the passenger side. Is there another way to adjust them? Thanks

 

[bill1013]

I believe that the arm needs to be taken off and moved down a few notches to where it's supposed to be then re-secured to the pivot point. it looks like in your case it needs to go down two or threes notches until it is level with the bottom of the windshield. Pretty simple fix. There should be a nut where it attaches to the pivot point. Loosen it, removed the arm and reposition it to where the wiper is level with the bottom of the windsheild then resecured it t the pivot point. Viola!

 

[Fless]

Park them, and move them as @bill1013 indicated. Many windshields will have marks embedded to show where the parked position is. I can't see them on yours with all the droplets, if they're even there.

I don't know about yours, but when I bought my new OE wiper arms the hold wasn't splined, it was smooth inside. When I asked the parts guy about it he said that the first time you install them the stud will cut the splines into the arm. Pull yours off and move them down a few notches; it might take a time or two to get them right if you don't have the marks in the glass. They can be kind of tough to pull off, so gently rock them off after the cover and nut are off.

 

[YukonGTmaster]

There is a small black tab at the top of the wiper arm where is attaches to the drive splines. Fold the wiper up off the windshield and pull the tab outwards. You will then be able to remove the arm by rocking it fore and aft gently while pulling up. Rotate the arm a few teeth counterclockwise and reinstall. It may take some fine adjustment to find the perfect spot. Whenever I have my arms off, I coat the splines in nickel anti sieze.

 

[rchurch5945]

As it shows in the video there is a slot on the arm and a tab on the mount. The only way the arm will fit is to align the slot with the tab. There is no adjusting it a few notches. That is what I was hoping for when I first took it off. It will only fit with the slot fitting the tab.

 

[rchurch5945]

Sorry, I meant a notch and slot, not a tab. The tab is to remove the arm. You have to install the arm with the notch and slot aligned, so there is no adjustment.

 

[Fless]

Park them, and move them as @bill1013 indicated. Many windshields will have marks embedded to show where the parked position is. I can't see them on yours with all the droplets, if they're even there.

I don't know about yours, but when I bought my new OE wiper arms the hold wasn't splined, it was smooth inside. When I asked the parts guy about it he said that the first time you install them the stud will cut the splines into the arm. Pull yours off and move them down a few notches; it might take a time or two to get them right if you don't have the marks in the glass. They can be kind of tough to pull off, so gently rock them off after the cover and nut are off.

View attachment 357298

Apparently my suggestion doesn't relate to the newer models.

 

[rchurch5945]

I guess I should mention it is a 96 model. They weren't fitting like this before they were removed to replace the windshield so there has to be some adjustment somewhere!

I just had it repainted and if they stay like this it will wear the paint off the A pillar.

 

[Doubeleive]

I guess I should mention it is a 96 model. They weren't fitting like this before they were removed to replace the windshield so there has to be some adjustment somewhere!

I just had it repainted and if they stay like this it will wear the paint off the A pillar.

sounds like you might have to take the cowling off and move the motors, they could be bolted in wrong, like a notch off or something, I would take a look and see what the issue is exactly

 

[YukonGTmaster]

My bad, I forgot they were keyed splines, and you can’t rotate the arm. You will have to dig in to the wiper motor arm adjustment.

 

[Eman85]

Was it OK before the windshield was put in? If so the windshield installer tweaked your wiper transmission which is the linkage that is shown in the video. Most people can't finesse the wiper arms off and end up bending something. As you know and in the video the arms are keyed and only go onto the transmission one way. You could try swapping arms left to right, I believe they are the same so maybe just the arm is bent.

 

[drakon543]

if i recall there is some adjustment. however as the work was just recently completed instead of fighting with it yourself just take it back to the shop and request they fix it. the wipers are typically removed for the work they did so they put it back together wrong.

 

[drakon543]

decided to watch that video as i haven't had my tahoe in a while. just like i remember in the video prior to him completely removing the wiper drive arms you can see slots on the bolt holes. thats so you can adjust the arms separately not together as he was doing. it may take some penetrant and some elbow grease to get them to move. but regardless those slide to adjust the position of the arms in relation to each other.

 

[rchurch5945]

Here's a followup - I brought the Tahoe back to the paint shop. Apparently although the wiper arms are the same size and appear identical, the notch on the driver's side and passenger side are in a slightly different location. They were put on the wrong side which caused the alighnment problem. They switched them and end of problem!