I"ve been working on getting my windshield wipers restored, and so far, have had excellent luck/success. My only "failure" of sorts was that I didn't get the wiper knob bezel very tight on the knob actuator. The shop manual tells us to use Special Tool 5449, Spanner Nut Wrench. It looks like a plumbing socket with a couple tangs hanging off of it.
I knew if I had a welder, I could make one, but I don't have one to use. I crammed a screwdriver in the one slot and tried to keep it cool with the torque and not slip. In the end, it just wasn't great. It was snug, but not torqued.
Today, I got THE tool that works wonderfully. I got a Rain Bird "Spray Head Pull Up Tool", part #PTC-1. It is like a spring-loaded pliers with a couple of screwdriver-like tips. You can set the opening width with a socket head cap screw. Remove the wiper knob from the actuator hex, place the Spray Head Pull Up Tool into the two spanner gaps and torque the baby up as tight as you feel comfortable. Replace the wiper knob and you're good to go.
You can get it at Lowes or Home Depot, in the sprinkler section. Mine cost $8 bucks plus tax.
Bill
