Rear windshied wiper makes grinding noise

If upon turning the switch, you hear either a buzzing or a noise coming from the wiper area but no movement of the windshield wipers, then it becomes likely that there is a mechanical problem. In front wiper systems, there are two moving parts, the wiper motor and the wiper transmission. In rear wiper systems with a single wiper, there’s a single moving part, the wiper motor.

If you hear a buzz, it could be a motor straining to move a jammed wiper transmission or a locked motor gear. If you hear a grind coming from the wiper area, it could be a stripped gear in either the motor, the transmission or where the wiper arm splines to the wiper motor in the rear. Don’t let the term transmission fill you with dread; it’s simply a term for a multi-lever set of arms and hinges that turn the circular motion of the wiper motor into the side to side motion of the wiper arms. It is also possible that the spline on the post of the front wiper arms is stripped.

Generally speaking, you can reach the motor and transmission by removing the wiper arms, all the screws that hold the cowl beneath the wiper arms and the weather stripping. Once exposed, you should be able to remove the motor from the transmission and check to see if the transmission is binding or if the motor is the culprit. Simply, replace the culprit, and reassemble.

If the problem is with the rear wiper system, getting to the wiper motor can be more difficult with far more trim to remove than with a front system. You may elect to consult your mechanic for help.

It is either time to replace the wiper motor or the arm has disengaged from the transmission. does the motor make any sounds when the wiper switch is activated? Also, does one work and not the other? If neither wiper moves or makes the usual noises i would suspect the switch inside the car. hope this helps and good luck.

check your half-shafts going from the transaxle to the wheel hubs. I suspect that one of them has broken off.

Did you check the fluid level in the rear end?

remove the windshiel wiper and see if it is moveing freely the wiper may be striped try a new wiper

most common cause is rear pads sticking (rust) and when you move, it has to break the rust from the rotor,hence the grinding noise.as long as it only does it when you start moving or turn first thing do not worry.....

There is a motor above the firewall in the engine compartment.(Not easy to get at). To that motor there is a gear that attaches the motor to the wiper arms. Tighten that connection. You may want to try to turn the wipers on then off. Thiss will put the blades in what it thinks is the rest position. Other wise they may be out of wack. So with the wipers off loosen the drive gear force the wipers down all the way and then tighten.

Good luck.

ash

wiper motor boards go bad in those motor assemblies. You can replace just the board in most applications.

Probably stripped the little splines where wiper arm attaches to pivot. Flip the cover up where arm attaches to pivot, and tighten nuts on there, but be careful not to go too far, its not hard to snap the pivot stud if you tighten too much. make sure wipers are off, in park position, and move arms to where they should be, then tighten. See if you still get loud noise after. If you do, somethings wrong under cowl, in the linkages or motor. You may be able to see something with flashlight or troublelight.