I own a 2005 sportage and my rear wiper doesn't touch the window neither. however, in my case all parts are perfect and not broken. The rear wiper has never been working fine in my case.

 

OOPS....the title should say 2006 Sportage not 2996...lol

It does now

The rear wiper on my 2006 Sportage EX works except the blade doesn't touch the window very well and only clears a partial path.
The black plastic cover #1 is broken where it meets #3 (see photo) although both parts are still attached to the wiper.

Is that why the wiper does a bad cleaning job? Do I need to buy a whole wiper/blade/cover or can I just buy/replace the broken cover?
Thanks

Welcome here.
Please add info to your profile.

As for the wiper. When was the last time you changed the wiper? Sometimes old blades and the metal springs do not work well, and simply wiper replacement may fix the problem.

Since the car is 2996 the spring on #1 should be strong enough to push the arm (#1) to the glass.

As for the broken parts (1 and 3) - does it hold the wiper blade arm tight enough? If so, it should not be a problem.

 

You said....As for the broken parts (1 and 3) - does it hold the wiper blade arm tight enough?

Well, it seems to lie flat against the window..but it just doesn't clean the window well. I just bought this SUV in June '09 and haven't changed any of the wiper blades. I will before the snow flies but I wanted to know if that would be enough for the rear wiper since I'm sure I'll need a clean rear window during the winter. I know the easy (and most expensive) thing to do is just take it to a dealer and have them replace the whole rear wiper arm etc but I was hoping someone could tell me if that's needed. I thought that since the plastic cover is broken, maybe that's why it doesn't clean well.

P.S. thanks for fixing the title to say 2006

It does now



Welcome here.
Please add info to your profile.

As for the wiper. When was the last time you changed the wiper? Sometimes old blades and the metal springs do not work well, and simply wiper replacement may fix the problem.

Since the car is 2996 the spring on #1 should be strong enough to push the arm (#1) to the glass.

As for the broken parts (1 and 3) - does it hold the wiper blade arm tight enough? If so, it should not be a problem.

 

Like I said. If this does not clean the window - first check the wiper blade. Next, move to the spring (it may require some oil/grease...) if this gives enough power to keep the wiper blade tight enough. And last things - but either, take a picture, or judge your own - the broken part. How badly is it broken? I can't really tell you what to do as I do not know how it is really broken. I would not replace it, unless it does not hold the arm (with wiper blade).

 

Car wash broke mine. All parts are at your dealer or online.

 

Change the wiper blade. Your vehicle is 3 years old and due for a new one anyway- besides, they are relatively cheap.

 

#1 and #3 are completely broken apart. They are in 2 seperate pieces. #1 is still holding the wiper tight. #3 can pop off and on easily over the bolt.
I'll have to look for the spring. If it's close to where #1and #3 used to connect it'll be easy to see.
But I will try changing just the blade first.


PLP said..Like I said. If this does not clean the window - first check the wiper blade. Next, move to the spring (it may require some oil/grease...) if this gives enough power to keep the wiper blade tight enough. And last things - but either, take a picture, or judge your own - the broken part. How badly is it broken? I can't really tell you what to do as I do not know how it is really broken. I would not replace it, unless it does not hold the arm (with wiper blade).

 

I just bought a replacement plastic rear wiper cover for $49.!!! at the dealer (#3 in the attached photo in my first post above). No wiper with it though. Can you believe it?

Then I stopped at several auto parts stores on the way home to buy a wiper or at least just the rubber refill.
Nobody has it.
Doesn't any store sell just the rubber refills anymore? They only sell them already mounted into metal frames (or arms or whatever they're called).
Looks like I'll have to make another trip back to the dealer for an overpriced rear wiper blade.

Lots of vehicles have rear wipers.....why haven't autoparts stores caught up? They only seem to have front wipers.

 

Blame the automaker for not using the known universal wiper sizes/mounts for the rear wipers.

I don't expect the local auto store to stock everything imaginable, with every known automaker purposely trying to do everything difference among all makes and models.

The wiper 'arms' can be found at the salvage yard for $10, and about $35 from the dealer, so your dealer parts department ripped you off. Wiper blade refills are dealer only and about $15. $50 should've gotten you the arm and blade!

 

You know I never even thought about calling a salvage yard. Dumb....
I think I'm going to later today and then maybe take my high priced piece of empty plastic back to the dealer.
(I haven't taken the plastic wrapper off of it yet.)
Thanks for the idea.

 

Yep, if you haven't opened it, return it.
parts.com gives you the typical dealer and retail price. Don't bother buying from the website since shipping costs are too high. But, my dealer price matched! Maybe yours will too next time?

 

I ended up not taking the part back since my friend was here and he was willing to put the part on the rear wiper for me.
Surprise...the wiper cleans the window much better now. :clap:
The blade stays in contact with the glass for the full sweep. The broken plastic cover must have been to blame after all. Granted, I still should replace the blade because it's probably a couple years old, but right now I'm just glad it's cleaning better than before.
Thanks to you all for taking the time to post.
Karen

 

I too have a rear wiper issue. The replacements just aren't available anywhere that I have found. The wiper arm needs a wiper pivot shaft that is uncommonly large. If you put on a wiper with the commonly available smaller shaft, the arm cannot exert enough pressure to keep the blade on the glass through the whole stroke.

For those of you who found a properly fitting replacement, can you please give make and model number? My local dealer wants almost $35.00 (with tax) for the item, and they are usually out of stock. He tells me it's a Kia OEM item. I am refusing to pay that much. There must be something somewhere that fits correctly.