Rear wiper removal mod??
05-29-2008, 10:19 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-04-2008
Location: Long Beach, Ca
Posts: 2,366
Jack, here's a play by play
Step by step:
Remove cap from wiper arm.
Remove bolt holding on wiper arm.
Remove wiper arm by pulling firmly and rocking lightly.
Remove rubber motor grommet from wiper motor
Remove two plastic rivets at bottom on door panel by pushing center
of rivet in 1/16th" and then remove entire rivet.
Pulling downward on the rear hatch handle along the top edge of it
will release the top of the handle from the hatch and you can remove it too.
Remove the third brake light cover by pulling it straight off. If you start at one side and pull up the end as it lays on the lower hatch panel and pull straight out. Then work your way across being careful not to twist it.
Remove the lower hatch panel starting at the top edge and working your way down. You are pulling plastic fasteners that can be strong. Just pull downward until they let go working your way around the panel. It is helpful to have an extra set of hands at this point to avoid dropping your interior panel.
If any of the fasteners remain in the hatch after removing the cover they must be carefully removed from the hatch and placed back in their slots on the hatch panel before re-installing the cover.
Remove the electrical connector from the wiper motor. Black tape the connector and wrap it toether on the existing harness so it won't rattle.
Remove the 3 - 10mm bolts holding the wiper motor in place then carefully pull it down and off of the rear hatch.
Install the plug of choice in wiper hole.
Carefully reinstall lower hatch panel being careful to line up guide pins and plastic fasteners with the correct holes. Have someone hold the hatch slightly closed so you don't hurt the hinges and pop the panel on by upward blows from hands until it seated flush with the hatch.
Reinstall the third brake light cover,
Pull center of the rivets out so when you place them back in their hole you just push in the center to lock them in place.
Reinstall the hatch handle...
Remove cap from wiper arm.
Remove bolt holding on wiper arm.
Remove wiper arm by pulling firmly and rocking lightly.
Remove rubber motor grommet from wiper motor
Remove two plastic rivets at bottom on door panel by pushing center
of rivet in 1/16th" and then remove entire rivet.
Pulling downward on the rear hatch handle along the top edge of it
will release the top of the handle from the hatch and you can remove it too.
Remove the third brake light cover by pulling it straight off. If you start at one side and pull up the end as it lays on the lower hatch panel and pull straight out. Then work your way across being careful not to twist it.
Remove the lower hatch panel starting at the top edge and working your way down. You are pulling plastic fasteners that can be strong. Just pull downward until they let go working your way around the panel. It is helpful to have an extra set of hands at this point to avoid dropping your interior panel.
If any of the fasteners remain in the hatch after removing the cover they must be carefully removed from the hatch and placed back in their slots on the hatch panel before re-installing the cover.
Remove the electrical connector from the wiper motor. Black tape the connector and wrap it toether on the existing harness so it won't rattle.
Remove the 3 - 10mm bolts holding the wiper motor in place then carefully pull it down and off of the rear hatch.
Install the plug of choice in wiper hole.
Carefully reinstall lower hatch panel being careful to line up guide pins and plastic fasteners with the correct holes. Have someone hold the hatch slightly closed so you don't hurt the hinges and pop the panel on by upward blows from hands until it seated flush with the hatch.
Reinstall the third brake light cover,
Pull center of the rivets out so when you place them back in their hole you just push in the center to lock them in place.
Reinstall the hatch handle...
05-29-2008, 10:48 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-27-2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,115
Just a couple of points to add (possibly obvious). When removing the 3 bolts that hold the wiper motor, make sure you keep a good grip on it so as not to drop it on the bumper.
Don't forget to zip-tie the electrical connector so it doesn't rattle.
When re-installing the plastic, take extra care to ensure all retainers are lined up with their respective mounting holes, it is very easy to damage the panel if they are not lined up precisely when you pound it back in place.
I got a clean look by using a plastic body panel retainer (and the stock grommet) pushed into a fender washer on the inside to plug the hole. Doesn't hurt to add silicone grease to ensure a water tight seal.
Don't forget to zip-tie the electrical connector so it doesn't rattle.
When re-installing the plastic, take extra care to ensure all retainers are lined up with their respective mounting holes, it is very easy to damage the panel if they are not lined up precisely when you pound it back in place.
I got a clean look by using a plastic body panel retainer (and the stock grommet) pushed into a fender washer on the inside to plug the hole. Doesn't hurt to add silicone grease to ensure a water tight seal.
05-29-2008, 10:56 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-14-2007
Location: SoCAL & Louisville, KY
Posts: 3,365
If you go down to I think #47, you can see a pic Kim's SOM without the wiper.
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...t=15323&page=2
And other pix of my my blackie, & don's white HHR
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...t=15323&page=2
And other pix of my my blackie, & don's white HHR
05-30-2008, 10:56 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-14-2007
Location: SoCAL & Louisville, KY
Posts: 3,365
I just spit out my coffee all over my desk!
Needed a good laugh this morning!
