Hello,

The wipers don't clean my window well of water, even with new bosch wiper blades. I wonder if the spring that presses the wiper arm against the glass is getting weak. Has anyone had the same problem and did replacing the wiper arm and spring, or the spring alone do the trick? Any part number for the spring? the spring/arm assembly is about $40-50 each.

My windshield is not in great condition either, and that could be part of the problem. It doesn't have any cracks or big chips, but is scratched from the blades and somewhat pitted. Can this be buffed out in some way, or is a new windshield the only good solution? I'd rather not run the risk of water leaks due to improper installation of a new windshield, let alone the cost and the pain of having to get new inspection/registration stickers.

Thanks
Steve

Make sure the hinge for the wiper arm is not binding.
Oil it and put some grease, white lithium or motorcycle chain lube is nice and stays in place, to make sure the arm is pressed against the window with as much pressure as possible.

HTH
mila

thanks! I'll give that a try.

Dear SLong,

Hope you're well. Volvo VADIS - the now-superseded Dealer Parts/Repair Database - does not show the windshield wiper arm's spring as a separately-available part: the spring comes with the arm.

The arms on the '92 940 have two formats: one has a "step" - two bends that form an approximately 45-degree angle, just before the attaching point for the wiper blade. This item superseded a unit with a straight arm, i.e., one without the bends. The current item (with the bends in the arm) is Part #3538316. If your car has the arm without the bends - surely the factory-installed, first version - that may explain why the wipers do not work as well as they should.

Before taking the risks that you identify, attending a windshield replacement, I'd replace the wiper arms. I'd first try to get a pair from a salvage yard. Those from any later 940 ('93-'95) should fit. Note though, that in '94, the plastic cover over the windshield arm nut was made larger: ask the yard to include those covers. Note further: windshield wiper arms from a 960 or similar car will not interchange with those of a 940.

An auto glass supplier should be able to tell you if there are ways to "buff out" minor imperfections. I'd guess this is true to light scratches, but that pits are "there to stay".

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Dear Spook,

Thanks for the information! Much appreciated!