Wiper Arm - Key

[Madhatter]

I just clean out the wiper motor and electronics. When removing the wiper arms I was on the look-out for the keys which were suspose to be in the end of the arm or transmission gear. My car did not have them!?
Went to Ford Parts dept and NAPA today to purchase them. No luck. They do not even sow up on a diagram and one would have to buy the whole assembly - everything but the motor. Only suggestion was to go to a junk yard and pull from a crown Vic or grand marquie.
My Question is do I really need these keys. And any other source?

[a_d_a_m]

You don't need them.
I've lost more of those things than I can remember.

[fastblackmerc]

You do not need them. My MM didn't have them from the factory.

[Madhatter]

THANKS GUYS
Appreciate the info.
Now I can put the wipers back on since it is raining here in Greenville, SC

[justbob]

Wow I forgot all about those keys! My wipers come out of the trunk MAYBE once every three years. Fugly looking wiper arms.


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[the fat bastid]

My car never had them.

[a_d_a_m]

Wow I forgot all about those keys! My wipers come out of the trunk MAYBE once every three years. Fugly looking wiper arms. Same. I keep 'em in the trunk for long road trips, but I've never used 'em since taking them off. Rain-X handles the minimal rain this car sees.

[crownvic97]

My car either never had them, or I lost them without even noticing when I removed them.

[musclemerc]

Someone post a pic of the key. Never heard of them.

[RubberCtyRauder]

http://www.f150forum.com/attachments/f38/403692d1448723258-fyi-windshield-wiper-arm-key-falls-out-2014f1502.jpg

[musclemerc]

Ahhhhh.... Mine are intact. Never knew they could come out.

[tbone]

If you use them the wipers are halfway up the windshield. Just a factory assembly part. Like the screw in some rotors.

[Marauderjack]

If you use them the wipers are halfway up the windshield. Just a factory assembly part. Like the screw in some rotors.

^^^EXACTLY!!^^^

[1Marauder]

I amsoconfused.

[tbone]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

The gears are splined which is plenty strong enough to hold them in position for the life of the car. The key is used in the assembly process just to get it close, but many times it makes the arm stick up too far on the windshield and looks like crap. Many people just live with it thinking they need the key installed. But you do not.

[1Marauder]

So.... You an take off the little arm part on bottom and it will sit lower and that little part is the key?

[1Marauder]

I ask because I've seen the end of the key and always wondered what it is/was... But my cars haven't seen rain in well over eight years, if ever, so the arms haven't been off.

[justbob]

So.... You an take off the little arm part on bottom and it will sit lower and that little part is the key?



Removing the key will let you clock the wiper arms at a lower level in the cowl for slightly better looks.


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[Joe Walsh]

RAIN-X and drive fast....problem solved!