Rear Wiper Motor: removal and lube?

[VTchemist]

The rear wiper motor on my 2003 VUE does not work well. I have read prior threads that discuss dirt/debris in the motor (armature?) as well as the improvement a good lubrication can offer.

I have had the rear hatch panel off to inspect the wiring. I had not yet tried to remove the motor.

Other than removing the bolts for the motor, is there any other info I need to know about taking the motor out? How is the wiper mechanism connected to the motor? Does it just slip off?

Also, what type of lubricant has been sucessful in reviving the motor?

I'd appreciate any input. I certainly don't want to break my rear windshield in the process (as some posts have discussed).

Thanks in advance!

[fdryer]

For what it's worth, I once removed a rear window wiper motor from a Mercury Sable wagon when it failed. Surprisingly, when taking it apart I found the internals absolutely clean and none the worse for wear. After checking it over thoroughly I made a temporary connection to observe if the wiper motor would cycle and was pleasantly surprised that it did. After reassembling everything and placing it back onto the rear window it continued to work. It failed around 80k miles and faithfully worked through 140k miles. I think it was out of range when the last wiper cycle didn't allow for it to return to the HOME position. It probably required manual intervention to turn the motor a little (from disassembling the unit) to return the mechanism back to HOME position. By the way, its a Bosch motor and very well made for the brief use it undergoes when needed. Unfortunately most units that stall most likely could use a little TLC to coax it back to functional operation. I decided right after the fix that I would treat it to a brand new wiper blade for the good service it provided me. Never doubted its reliability since, even after I layed my inept hands on it.:yes:

[ujm4ever]

The rear wiper motor on my 2003 VUE does not work well. I have read prior threads that discuss dirt/debris in the motor (armature?) as well as the improvement a good lubrication can offer.

I have had the rear hatch panel off to inspect the wiring. I had not yet tried to remove the motor.

Other than removing the bolts for the motor, is there any other info I need to know about taking the motor out? How is the wiper mechanism connected to the motor? Does it just slip off?

Also, what type of lubricant has been sucessful in reviving the motor?

I'd appreciate any input. I certainly don't want to break my rear windshield in the process (as some posts have discussed).

Thanks in advance!
Here is the thread I posted my experience on with a bit of advise:
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53147&page=2
It all comes apart very easy with not special tools. I used a high temp wheel bearing grease that I had on the shelf. Again, note that my problem was that excess grease in the motor that had to be cleaned out. It's still working like a champ.

[VTchemist]

Here is the thread I posted my experience on with a bit of advise:
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53147&page=2
It all comes apart very easy with not special tools. I used a high temp wheel bearing grease that I had on the shelf. Again, note that my problem was that excess grease in the motor that had to be cleaned out. It's still working like a champ.


Thanks for the link to the thread. I'll be working on the wiper motor assembly this weekend (when it is a bit drier and warmer). I will also snap a photo of anything interesting.

I appreciate your help!

[runerx]

Photos would be great!!! I have found that using mine more has helped versus not using it to "save" the motor. I guess the gunk/grease gets built up and causes problems.

Dave :hothead:

[VTchemist]

I followed the info from a previoius thread:
**********
Take the 2 phillips screws out of the handle area on the rear panel. Then proceed to gently pry it off. Once you get it about 3/4 off, you will have to undo the wires to the lights, and once those are done, you will have to gently push it forward.... (held up top by hooks, not clips) you will see what I am talking about. Once the panel is off, the wiper motor is held in by 3 10mm bolts and 1 wire connector. Remember to take the wiper arm off first, just pull the cover up, move it out of the way, and take a 13mm socket to get it off, then remove the wiper arm. With the arm off, the motor will just pretty much come right out...... Hope it helps.
*****************

The repair went well and took about one hour. I think the culprit was the great amount of factory grease that gunked up the actuator contacts on the drive gear. I did not find any road debris in the assembly. Just a lot of old grease.

After cleaning it out (with a degreaser) I used a bike hub grease to repack the gear assembly. I used a liberal amount, but much less than was in the assembly from the factory.

I posted photos of the repair and a movie to show you how it now works. It is no longer sluggish!

http://web.mac.com/garylong/iWeb/Saturn/rear%20wiper%20repair.html

[mellissam]

I followed the info from a previoius thread:
**********
Take the 2 phillips screws out of the handle area on the rear panel. Then proceed to gently pry it off. Once you get it about 3/4 off, you will have to undo the wires to the lights, and once those are done, you will have to gently push it forward.... (held up top by hooks, not clips) you will see what I am talking about. Once the panel is off, the wiper motor is held in by 3 10mm bolts and 1 wire connector. Remember to take the wiper arm off first, just pull the cover up, move it out of the way, and take a 13mm socket to get it off, then remove the wiper arm. With the arm off, the motor will just pretty much come right out...... Hope it helps.
*****************

The repair went well and took about one hour. I think the culprit was the great amount of factory grease that gunked up the actuator contacts on the drive gear. I did not find any road debris in the assembly. Just a lot of old grease.

After cleaning it out (with a degreaser) I used a bike hub grease to repack the gear assembly. I used a liberal amount, but much less than was in the assembly from the factory.

I posted photos of the repair and a movie to show you how it now works. It is no longer sluggish!

http://web.mac.com/garylong/iWeb/Saturn/rear%20wiper%20repair.html

Holy cra& batman! That is the best how-to I've seen yet.....really like the selection of border trim for the web page!!! LOL
Of course, the pictures are worth a thousand words...wonderful! Thanks a million...will have this page bookmarked (don't change your link address!). The movie is a bit anti-climatic, but I give you a 9.5/10 for the great job.....:cool:

[ujm4ever]

....
I posted photos of the repair and a movie to show you how it now works. It is no longer sluggish!
Nice job, great documentation. I'm not sure why they put so much grease in there, it's a sealed unit.

[1saxman]

Excellent tutorial!:D

[Dove350]

Which two screws please?

LA

[VTchemist]

Remove the two Phillips screws (two the left and right of the metal center assembly in the plastic area). You should see this if you open the tailgate and look at the bottom of the tailgate. This is on a 2003 VUE. I have not looked a later models.