04 Tahoe wiper arm skipping

[mattt]

With all the rain we've been having in Socal recently, I've noticed that the driver's side wiper isn't doing a good job. At low speeds on the street, both wipers wipe clean, however, at highway speeds, the driver's side wiper is almost 'skipping'(for lack of a better word) across the windshield. I've been meaning to swap the wiper arms side to side to see if the problem moves with the arm, but I haven't figured out how to remove the washer nozzles attached to the arms.

I'm wondering if this points to a weak spring in the wiper arm, or something else? I've never thought about the wiper arm spring previously, but now think this might be it's function and purpose??? If so, is there a way to add tension to that spring to stop this skipping? Any other suggestions to get this wiper wiping clear and clean? Thanks.

 

[OR VietVet]

Can't adjust the spring tension and is not worth the hassle to try it. Wiper arms are not expensive. That is what I thought of first. Second, how old are the blades? Third, I highly recommend doing something I have done for years. Grit and grime build up on the glass. Glass is more porous than you think. Get the w/s wet, sprinkle Bon Ami on the w/s and use a clean rag to clean the glass. It is not abrasive and will not harm the glass, like something like Comet or Ajax would do. Rinse thoroughly and then I always use fresh paper towels to dry the glass. You can also get some stuff @Rocket Man recommended to me called Aqua Pel and follow instructions. That stuff works real good.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'd look at the wiper mechanism under the cowl to see if there are any worn pasts that are 'catching' during the wiper cycle.

 

[mattt]

Thanks, I will check both of those out as possible causes. Blades are relatively new and wipe clean at slower speeds. This is just a problem at highway speeds, which makes me think it is arm related. How are the washer nozzles attached to the arm, clipped on?

 

[OR VietVet]

Tell me what you are driving?

Never mind. I see the year in the post title. I missed that, sorry.

 

[OR VietVet]

More Information for GM GENUINE 15829648

You don't remove the washer clips or hose from the arm. It is all part of it. The hose comes out near where it is bolted on and has a little plug in plastic *** that plugs in at the cowl. Look and you will see. What can be tricky is removing the arm at the pivot. Use a battery cable end removal tool to make it easier.

 

[houstontaylor]

The arms lose spring tension over time and new arms will fix that for a time.