2005 Mazda MPV - Windshield Wiper Arm

Bad Wiper Arm Symptoms

Your vehicle's wiper arm connects the wiper motor and wiper transmission to the wiper blade, allowing you to clear your windshield of dirt, contaminants, and debris to see better in inclement weather. The wiper arm is spring-loaded to create pressure against the wiper blade and keep it in complete contact with the windshield to help remove moisture and debris from your windshield. Wiper arms are often made of steel or aluminum, so they are able to withstand constant use and extreme weather, including high wind, rain, and UV exposure. Wiper arms usually last the lifespan of the vehicle, however, they can suffer damage due to improper installation or use, the spring may stretch if the arms are frequently raised or left in an upright position, or in extreme circumstances, they can become bent and fail to keep the wiper properly engaged. Some symptoms of wiper arm failure include paint flaking from the wiper arm that leads to corrosion, streaking on the windshield, windshield wiper chatter, wiper blades that do not move when activated or move unevenly, and wiper blades that fail to contact the windshield. If you've recently installed new wiper blades on your vehicle and are still not satisfied with their performance, check the condition of the wiper arms and replace them if needed. Wiper arms may simply bolt on, or they could be pressed into place and require specialty tools or a puller to remove safely. If you need new wiper arms, wiper blades, or any other wiper system part, shop O'Reilly Auto Parts for the replacement parts you need to make a confident repair and continue driving safely.