NHTSA Complaint #731669 — 1995 VOLVO 854

WIPER LOOSES CONTACT WITH WINDSHIELD BETWEEN 1 AND 11 OCLOCK POSITION. THIS OCCURS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND RESULTS IN INEFFECTIVE CLEARING OF RAIN. I HAD HEARD ON A WEB SITE THAT THE ARMS WERE MIS-CAST. THE WIPER SPRINGS ARE STRONG AND GIVE GOOD TENTION BUT BOTTOM OUT PREVENTING CONTACT WITH THE WINSHIELD BECAUSE THE WIPER ARM PORTION NEAR WHERE IT BOLTS TO THE MOTOR MUST FLARE OUT TO FAR. I REMOVED THE ARM AND IT IS A SOLID CAST MATERIAL, PERHAPS ALUMINUM. IT DOESNT APPEAR THAT IT COULD BEND EASILY. IT'S CROSS WEBBED AN SEEMS ALMOST STRUCTUAL IN STRENGH. SO THE BLADE WHEN IT'S ALMOST STRAIGH UP SEEMS TO FLAP AROUND ABOUT 1/4 ABOVE THE GLASS.