Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Windshield Wiper Arm

Common signs include peeling paint from the wiper arm, streaks on the windshield, clattering wipers, and no windshield blades touching.

The windshield wipers on your car do a great job of protecting your windshield from rain, snow, mud and debris, so you can drive your car safely if they are properly maintained. However, the wiper blades would not be able to perform this important task without the help of the wiper arm. The wiper arm is attached to the wiper motor, usually located under the engine hood and directly in front of the dashboard. When all these components work together, your ability to see clearly while driving is greatly improved.

Wiper arms are made from durable metals, from steel to aluminum, and are engineered to withstand constant use, extreme weather conditions including the sun, and high winds. Because of these facts, the washer arm will usually last the lifetime of your vehicle, but damage is possible that will require windshield wiper arms to be replaced. When this component fails, it will display the following symptoms or warning signs.

If you notice any of the warning signs listed below, contact your local ASE certified mechanic and have them inspect or replace the wiper arm.

1. Paint is peeling off the wiper arm

Most wiper arms are painted black with a protective powder coating to help them withstand the elements. This paint is very durable, but will crack, fade, or peel off the wiper arms over time. When this happens, the metal under the paint is exposed, causing rust or metal fatigue, which can make the wiper arm brittle and prone to breakage. If you notice that the paint is peeling off the wiper arm, have a certified mechanic check the problem. Peeling paint can be removed and repainted if noticed in time.

2. Stripes on the windshield

When the wiper blades are working properly, they evenly clear debris and other material from the windshield when turned on. However, a damaged wiper arm can cause the wipers to bend in or out, causing them to leave streaks on the windshield; even if they are brand new. If streaks appear on the windshield, the wiper arm may not hold enough tension on the blade that holds the blade evenly across the windshield.

3. Wipers click.

Similar to the above symptom, a problem with the blades vibrating as they pass over the windshield is also a warning sign of a problem with the wiper arm. This symptom is also common when the wiper blades are not properly lubricated with water or if the windshield is cracked. If you notice that your wiper blades tend to vibrate or slide unevenly across your windshield, especially when it rains, it's highly likely that you have a bent wiper arm that needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Another strong sign that there is a problem with the wiper arm is that the blade is not actually touching the windshield. This is usually due to the wiper arm being bent up and not providing enough pressure to keep the edge of the wiper blade on the windshield. When you activate the wiper blades, they should work evenly, and the wiper arm is primarily responsible for this action.

5. Wiper blades do not move when activated

While this symptom most likely indicates a problem with the wiper motor, there are times when the wiper arm can cause this. In this case, the attachment of the wiper arm to the engine may be torn off, loosened or broken. You will hear the motor running, but the wiper blades will not move if this problem occurs.

In an ideal world, you would never have to worry about damaging a windshield wiper arm. However, accidents, debris and simple metal fatigue can cause damage to this important component of the windshield washer system. If you notice any of the above warning signs of a bad or failing wiper arm, take the time to contact your local ASE certified mechanic so they can properly inspect, diagnose and fix the problem.