I was playing around with our "new" S40 today and cleaning it up, one thing that was bugging me is that the wiper arms are a good 15-20 degrees up onto the windshield when off. I moves the passenger side arm down to the correct position no problem. But when I moved the driver's side arm down, I could not close the hood without scraping it on the wiper arm. I moved the wiper arm until I could just close the hood (which was back where it started) and then tested the wipers, now the DS wiper goes off the windshield over the side of the car and scrapes the trim on that side. I can't win! I took the arm off and inspected it, it does not appear damaged or warped (other than paint scraped from the hood) so what is wrong?

Thanks in advance...

PS other than this wiper arm thing, I am so pleased with this car. It is so fun and zippy, and looks very nice. Once it is waxed I will post some pics.

I wonder if someone bent the arm? It is not supposed to get close to the hood when opening and closing. Good thing it doesn't rain that much. Here is a 360 pic where you can see the arm a little:

http://www.volvocars.com/us/models/s40/gallery/360/Pages/default.aspx

Klaus
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Common sense trumps a PhD

Yes I think someone bent it, or the spring inside caused enough tension to bend it over time. It doesn't rain much here this time of year but I do need the washer due to dust on the windshield, and come winter there will be plenty of rain!

Check for a double bend in the arm. Someone may have lifted it up too far, bending the arm next to the pivot point and then bent the arm again to get it on the windshield. The arm should be flat, kind of.

Klaus

--
Common sense trumps a PhD

Just got a replacement from the Volvo scarp yard - much better! I tried bending the original back but I couldn't get it into the right shape. ALso replaced the DS sun visor that would not fold up flush - much better now!

I could not find the Atmosklear stuff you recommended but they had Zero Odor, I tried it. It smelled like bleach when I used it which worried me, but the smell went away and the smoke odor is lessened now. I will shampoo the carpets and see if I can get rid of it altogether.

Yes, I figured that some gorilla pulled up the wiper and bent the arm back at the pivot, then bent the arm itself back to meet the windshield. Good for you on the parts.

As far as I know, only ACE hardware carries AtmosKlear. It has no bleach, just enzimes that eat odors. Shampoo the carpet and wipe all the vinyl with a watered down cleaner, 409/handy andy/mr clean, etc.

Then clean the inside of the windows and have fun!

Klaus

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Common sense trumps a PhD

I asked at my local Ace about AtmosKlear and they had no idea what I was talking about - they suggested Febreeze. The other stuff I got didn't work. I changed the cabin air filter, washed all hard surfaces with simple green, washed the leather with Lexol and the car still smells - So I ordered one of these:

http://www.gonesmoke.com/GoneSmoke-Auto.html

I will let you know if it works!