windshield wiper seizes up
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
1994 MB E320, 1988 Porsche 951
windshield wiper seizes up
Hello everyone and wishing a Happy New Year to all. The windshield wiper on my '94 E320 stops working after being on 15-20 minutes (in the rain). It stays seized up the balance of the trip. It takes overnight to cool down (?) and it works again for a few minutes before it runs slower and slower and finally stops again. Anyone with the same problem before? What would the fix be? Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 6
From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
you need to lube it or lose it. My 400E had the same problem so i took all of the plastic off that I needed to access the wiper motor and linkage, i lubed all of the moving parts as well as the hydraulic piston that is on the arm itself, and once I had it all back together it was better than new, more quiet and moved faster. Something i need to do to my 300TE now just as a maintenence issue. If you don't do this you may run the risk of burning out your wiper motor.
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Russellville, AR
1996 - C220/2001 - ML430/ 2005 RX-330
Yup just needs lubed. Search this forum or the benzworld forum. There is a complete how-to article with pics. Simple 10 minute job. Basically pull downward on the plastic rectangular cover right above the BIG oval plastic cover until it slips off (held on by molded plastic pressure groove), then slip your hands under each side of the big oval cover and gently pry outwards while lifting and it will pop off. Then take some degreaser and and rag and clean off the 2 metal slides and accompanying parts, regrease the slides and assembly with a good grade grease with moly or similar durablend (I use Valvoline Durablend wheel bearing packing grease - the black kind) in it that won't dry up. Reassemblecovers in reverse order and you're good to go. Need to do this every couple years with those monowipers.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
1994 MB E320, 1988 Porsche 951
Thanks much for info, I better work on this immediately, forecast is rain tomorrow and wednesday (L.I., NY). Sounds like not too time consuming a job. Regards.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
1994 MB E320, 1988 Porsche 951
thanks guys, the job was easier than i thought. i cleaned the piston rod, rails and rollers using "gumout" spray. then i used "crc track lubricant" spray to lube the rails, rollers, and the piston shaft. i never saw the wiper go so fast before after the cleaning job. thanks again to all!
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 75
From: USA
18 G550, 24 EQB3504M
I had to do this too and I used ATF to lubricate the shaft that goes through the bushing and it worked great again!
I read somewhere that ATF is good in it, but I don't know?
Maybe I'll take it apart again and use something else?
Like your choice of cars! a 944 and a 124. I had an 86 turbo but it got stolen...
I read somewhere that ATF is good in it, but I don't know?
Maybe I'll take it apart again and use something else?Like your choice of cars! a 944 and a 124. I had an 86 turbo but it got stolen...
Last edited by Holson; Jan 11, 2006 at 10:23 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Russellville, AR
1996 - C220/2001 - ML430/ 2005 RX-330
Glad it worked for you. Saved you a pretty penny at the dealership. They wont clean the mechanism, they just replace it with a new $700 wiper assembly. Given the setup (with some moisture getting pulled into the piston-like bushing with every use) it should be done every year or two ideally or whenever you begin to notice it not going as fast as it is now.
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
ATF and other thin lubricants are good to free it up and get it working again, but they aren't good for the long run. It'll dry out in short order. Silicone grease (Syl-glide) is best for this application.
