[s-cars] [NPC] Lifting Driver's Side Wiper

[Robert Rossato]

First of all, my sincerest apologies for this posting being NPC (No
Porsche Content), and in fact, being completely devoid of any BMW,
Infinity, Subie, or even Audi A4 content.  But at least it is somewhat
generalized as it also applies to the 100/A6 so hopefully you'll forgive
my transgression.

My issue is with the driver's side wiper blade.  Lately I haven't been
getting good coverage at the end of the wiper arm travel.  Only the
center portion of the blade would contact the windshield.  At first I
thought it was just the blade linkages being frozen, but that they are
free and clear.  

I started watching the blade and noticed that during the last couple
inches of sweep, the ends of the blade lift up noticeably off the glass
and the whole blade is curved with only the center contacting the glass.
So, the arm itself is lifting the blade off the windshield at the very
end of travel.  

I checked the mounting of the arm to the spline thinking it might be
loose. It is on good and tight, which means that either the arm is bent,
the springs are really weak, or somehow, the drive linkage is bent.

The arm does have an upward bend to it between the pivot point and the
hinge, which I think is normal but can't recall.  And given that it is
pot metal I would expect to see cracks in the casting if it was bent,
which I don't.

Anyone experience this before?  Before I go and buy a new wiper arm has
anyone had any luck in putting on a stronger spring?

BR