Windshield wiper failure

[AdamPlaysDrums]

Okay, so a few months ago while driving in some light rain on the highway, my passenger wiper slowed down/didn't return properly and crossed with my driver wiper. I was several states away from home so I simply pulled the passenger wiper to keep that from happening again. The driver wiper has worked fine until recently, however last night driving home in some sleety snow stuff the wiper came up and got stuck on the windshield seal, and then fell down onto my mirror somehow. The hell is going on with these? I can see the HVAC panel and the metal beneath flexing when the motor is on, and it seems like the two threaded sections that the arms attach to are turning at the same rate and everything... Any help is appreciated. Gracias!

[audiquattrot]

Are the splines on the wiper stripped? That's the only thing I can think of if the motor seems to work fine

[AdamPlaysDrums]

Neither the spindles nor the arms themselves seemed very stripped, though I've got little reference. I'll try and get a picture after work.

[jlevie]

You have a problem with the spindle to wiper attachment or a failure of the wiper mechanism.

[AdamPlaysDrums]

I figured as much. My boss (now an e28 man) said there's a ball joint that can fail and result in the wipers going out of sync even if the motor still functions... is this probable?

[AdamPlaysDrums]

Also, some shots of the wiper arm (it's 11 out right now, I'll try for spindle shots tomorrow).

[jalopi]

I figured as much. My boss (now an e28 man) said there's a ball joint that can fail and result in the wipers going out of sync even if the motor still functions... is this probable?

wiper transmission / linkage / whatever you want to call it.... at least that's what it sounds like your boss is talking about.

[vpilarrt]

If it's the splines you can put a small piece of thin soft metal (copper, aluminum, etc) in the joint to tighten it up.