Now that we have gotten a bit of rain I have been using my wipers more on my new (to me) r50 mini. Front wipers needed some new blades; now they work beautifully. Rear wiper could use one too, but my bigger issue is the noise! It has always made this noise, though when I first got it I thought it was just noise from the fluid pump as I squirted cleaner on it. Turns out it is the motor on the thing. The sound is a bit like the sound of a transformer transforming (from the new movies). It's loud enough and annoying enough that I don't keep the rear wiper running constantly. I thought about opening the cover and squiring some white lithium grease in there, but figured I should check here first since I have almost no idea what I am doing.

 

If you need a motor I have one I can give you a deal on.

 

That is what I am trying to diagnose.

 

About 50% of the folks here have done a rear wiper delete...usually involves removing the arm, and putting a plug in the hole...motor is usually abandoned in place....

 

This is just a cosmetic thing though, right? I don't mind the way it looks and I actually quite like the functionality. Dirty, snowy winters make a rear wiper a huge convenience.

 

Yup....still use mine...
but does give you an idea of the value of a used motor when 50% of units ever made are sitting in the back of folks cars unused....

 

I experianced this in my "new to me" '06 R53 on a recent trip with hours of non-stop rain. The noise is intermittent, starting after a half hour or so of driving. It's loud enough to be heard over music playing on the stereo. But goes away. Have not had a chance to investigate, thought it might be a bad blade that's dragging a bit? Curious to hear what others say about it...

 

I don't think it's a bad blade... at least it doesn't sound like any bad blade that I have ever heard. I guess I could lift the blade from the glass and turn it on... that would answer that question pretty quickly.

 

Anyone else have anything to say?

 

Have you tried the grease? I would do that and if it dosn't help maybe look at getting a different motor.

 

Hadn't tried. Paranoid about hurting something, but I guess just grease won't do that huh? Sort of staling too since I haven't found instructions/videos on how to take the panel apart. I am good at following directions, but not so much at winging it when it comes to mechanical things!

 

I think it's just like 6 screws and it comes right off.

 

Never got around to this, but it snowed a couple days and using my wipers they were quiet.

Maybe the wiper hadn't been used much for a while or something? Or maybe the sound will come back. Who knows. Not going to mess with it unless it comes back.

 

My rear wiper has started making a buzzy sound. Also loud enough to be annoying. I too am thinking about lubrication. Likely need a new motor. It is helpful in Missouri.

 

Seems like people ran into issues with removing the spindle nut. Here is a thread for reference. Might suggest we do a DIY write up of this for people. I'll keep you posted if we do and you end up needing to remove the motor.

-Luccia

 

Check the rear wiper motor and make sure the wiper motor spindle is attached to the wiper arm all the way and is not grinding on the spindle.

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