Official SoCal HHR Rear Wiper Removal Clinic
Senior Member
Joined: 04-21-2007
Posts: 3,157
From: Anaheim Ca
It *does* look cool, doesn't it?! 
Thanks for doing that (and my other goodies). I'll have to take them all for a spin around Irvine to hear the 'purr' and pop open the hood for a peek! Although I'm sure this will give the Irvine PD a reason to pull me over--heh!
Well Don pointed out our cars are the opposite of each other in color and mods--my black to his white, etc...although I'm not sure of the "ToddUma" front grill yet--but am eager to see the pink-bow-tie!
Thanks again for suggesting the little park, Tim. It was a great place to do this and I'm still full from that machaca burrito! Yumm!
Oh yeah--THANKS ELLE for the horn!!! Much appreciated!
Thanks for doing that (and my other goodies). I'll have to take them all for a spin around Irvine to hear the 'purr' and pop open the hood for a peek! Although I'm sure this will give the Irvine PD a reason to pull me over--heh!Well Don pointed out our cars are the opposite of each other in color and mods--my black to his white, etc...although I'm not sure of the "ToddUma" front grill yet--but am eager to see the pink-bow-tie!
Thanks again for suggesting the little park, Tim. It was a great place to do this and I'm still full from that machaca burrito! Yumm!
Oh yeah--THANKS ELLE for the horn!!! Much appreciated!
Senior Member
Joined: 09-14-2007
Posts: 3,365
From: SoCAL & Louisville, KY
Senior Member
Joined: 08-23-2006
Posts: 1,720
From: So Cal
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 platic fastners 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...
and thats all there is to it
Nuff Said!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 01-04-2008
Posts: 2,366
From: Long Beach, Ca
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.
I can only add that DO NOT FREAK OUT when you pull this piece off. It will make a LOUD popping sound as the fasteners break loose.
It is an easy mod to do if you want to remove the rear wiper assm. Also handy if you will be installing a 3rd brake light cut out.
Angie, those pink bowties HAVE to go on.
I can only add that DO NOT FREAK OUT when you pull this piece off. It will make a LOUD popping sound as the fasteners break loose.
It is an easy mod to do if you want to remove the rear wiper assm. Also handy if you will be installing a 3rd brake light cut out.
Angie, those pink bowties HAVE to go on.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-21-2007
Posts: 3,157
From: Anaheim Ca
I have to say that today was awesome. I had a great time. It was great to see Elle again, it has been too long. And special thanks to Tim, for doing all this..and I have to say, that I think that it was done in record time! Todd (Uma)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 01-04-2008
Posts: 2,366
From: Long Beach, Ca
LATE UPDATE!
-Fullerton, Ca.
A group of people calling themselves the SoCal HHR's got into some trouble this Memorial Day. It seems that they gathered in a small city park to "do some mods" to their cars which included the removal of the rear window wiper.
According to our sources, the group did not stop with their own cars and proceeded to remove the rear wipers from the vehicles that were parked nearby.
A witness told this reporter that he had come to the park to feed ducks and upon arriving back at his 2002 Toyota Sienna mini-van noticed that his wiper was gone and the toyota emblem had been painted to match the car's color. Several other park visitors reported similar problems.
No arrests were made and the police are on the look out for these "Modders"
That's the story so far.....
-Fullerton, Ca.
A group of people calling themselves the SoCal HHR's got into some trouble this Memorial Day. It seems that they gathered in a small city park to "do some mods" to their cars which included the removal of the rear window wiper.
According to our sources, the group did not stop with their own cars and proceeded to remove the rear wipers from the vehicles that were parked nearby.
A witness told this reporter that he had come to the park to feed ducks and upon arriving back at his 2002 Toyota Sienna mini-van noticed that his wiper was gone and the toyota emblem had been painted to match the car's color. Several other park visitors reported similar problems.
No arrests were made and the police are on the look out for these "Modders"
That's the story so far.....
Senior Member
Joined: 08-27-2006
Posts: 2,566
From: Anaheim, CA
How funny Don! You are so cute!! Well, I was there in spirit and slurped up the photos with pleasure - you looked like you were having a good time and the cars look wonderful without the rear wipers. Just like they were meant to look!! I need to see Todd's grill again - point me, someone.
The rest of you, just lay low for a while - I won't sing to the coppers if they ask me anything...
The rest of you, just lay low for a while - I won't sing to the coppers if they ask me anything...