How to fix windshield wipers?

[iliopsoas]

I have an old beat up 91 Honda Accord and my windshield wipers are erratic. Sometimes, the blades will wipe all the way to the edge of the windshield on the driver's side, which is too damn far. Sometimes, it goes 6 inches from the edge, which is not far enough.

How do I fix this? It scares the crap out of me when I'm driving in rainy weather and I think the blades might fall off.

 

[isekii]

why not just replace the wiper blade motor ?

 

[Evadman]

Look at the linkage. it is probably bent.

 

[iliopsoas]

how do i find the linkage?

 

[Wingznut]

If the linkage were bent, it would still be a consistant stroke. I'm guessing the bushings in the linkage are shot... Or maybe the splines on the actual wiper arms themselves.

Can you move the blades back and forth (by hand) with them turned off?

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
If the linkage were bent, it would still be a consistant stroke. I'm guessing the bushings in the linkage are shot... Or maybe the splines on the actual wiper arms themselves.

Can you move the blades back and forth (by hand) with them turned off?

Yeah, there are splines that connect the wiper arm via a bolt and nut. If the splines are worn, the motor will turn, but the blade won't. Perhaps the bolt is loose.

 

[DrPizza]

Agreed, most likely cause is a loose bolt holding the wiper arms on (and if the problems gone long enough, the spline may be a bit worn)

 

[Saulbadguy]

Loose bolt. Tighten it.