A wiper linkage assembly transfers power from the wiper motor to the wiper arms, typically made up of two or three sections with loose rivets and nylon bushings. It is designed to outlast the average car and is often hidden under a cover. A screeching sound is a sign of a problem.
A wiper linkage assembly is a mechanical device that transfers power from the wiper motor to the wiper arms. Commonly fabricated from stamped steel components, the wiper link assembly is typically made up of two or three sections, with some assemblies using four link sections to complete the system. The wiper linkage assembly is designed in such a way that the linkage drives the wipers through a complete wiping motion across the windshield when in use.
While the wipers on many vehicles move back and forth across the windshield, the typical wiper motor does not run back and forth, but runs by rotating continuously like a fan motor. A small tab or link arm connects to the wiper motor drive hub on one end and the wiper link assembly on the other. Fore and aft movement of the wiper arms comes from the wiper linkage assembly which moves in one direction when the flange is at the top of the unit hub, and in the opposite direction when the flange is at the bottom. bottom of the drive hub. This is similar to seeing the second hand on a watch appear to move to the right when it is at the 12 o’clock position and to the left when it is at the six o’clock position.
The ability to rotate and pivot the different sections of the wiper linkage assembly is made possible by loose rivets and nylon bushings. Rivets hold the linkage sections together, while nylon bushings provide a quiet, cushioned component to the linkage arms. The typical wiper linkage assembly is designed to outlast the average car. On some applications, the link is permanently attached to the wiper pivot towers. This necessitates replacement of both wiper towers when there is a deficiency in the wiper linkage.
Most commonly, the link is under the cover of the vehicle. This protects the mechanism from exposure to the elements and provides quiet operation when in use. The fact that the link is not visible on most vehicles is why a screeching or screeching sound is the easiest type of sign to detect that there may be a problem with the link assembly. Most vehicles will have a removable panel or screened area that will allow access to the wiper motor and linkage. On some larger and wider vehicles, the link assembly may include a bracket in the middle of the deck area that supports the link by sagging or twisting when in use.
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