Finding and replacing rear liftgate window grommets (wiper arm and washer fluid hose), on 2nd Generation Chrysler Minivans
There
are two rubber grommets in the rear window on the liftgate of 2nd
generation (1991-1995) Chrysler minivans. These may be the same
as 1st generation vans, but I don't know for sure. With age,
these shrink, crack, and potentially let water in. I recently
went through the trouble of replacing mine...here's the details on how
to procure and install them.
As of late 2015, the wiper arm
grommet is still available from Chrysler as part number 05152332AA.
I believe this is the same item that is used on other Chrysler
vehicles such as the PT Cruiser, so hopefully it will be around a while
yet. I bought mine from an ebay seller, but there are other
sources online, as well as your local Dodge dealer. Here's what
it looks like:
The
grommet that the washer fluid hose goes through is not so easy, as it
is no longer available from Chysler. I was also unable to find a
"proper" aftermarket replacement. I did luck into a solution that
seems to work well. A local auto parts store suggested some
regular grommets and I bough a "variety pack" of them, "HandyPack" part
number HP3710:
One of the grommets enclosed had a thicker "center" than the others and fit nicely into the window opening:
I removed the old grommet, which was in terrible condition:
And removed the center section from the center of the deteriorated grommet:
The
tube section had a hard rubber surround (maybe only hard due to age)
that then fit snugly into the middle of the grommet after it had been
installed:
In order to install these, I had to remove the wiper arm, which of course would not budge. I used these directions - http://www.allpar.com/model/m/rear-wiper-arm/
It wasn't fun, but I did eventually prevail and the arm came off.
I was using a 3-arm puller from Harbor Freight instead of the
suggested 2-arm variety, and I also tried using a piece of a large
nail, instead of the suggested drill bit piece. The nail was
soft, and the 3-arm puller with a pointy wiggly end didn't help
anything. A small piece of wood between the pointy end of the
puller and the nail head ultimately helped finish the job. I
installed a new aftermarket replacement arm, so drilling the hole
wasn't an issue. Be very careful when you put the arm back on
that you get it in the right position, perhaps just put it on very
lightly at first. Mine ended up stopped a little further down
that I really want it, and I can't pry it back off by hand...and I
didn't push all that hard when I put it on! I may try some more
later, but I can't convince it to come back off, nor do I want to take
a drill to the new wipar arm per the above web site...
Once
that
is off, you will need to remove the inside cover of the liftgate and
remove the wiper motor. In my 92, there are four screws across
the top of the door, two to the sides of the window, two in the center
under plastic plugs, one inside under each of the speaker grill covers,
and one in each bottom corner behind plugs. You may also need to
remove the hatch to access the 3rd brake light in the center - I
believe the 91-93 attaches to the door, the 94-95 attach to the rest of
the plastic and you may be able to leave them (my van is a 92 but got a
replacement liftgate from a 94/95)...probably best to remove it to be
sure. Then remove the wiper motor
assembly - it is the silver plate at the top center, held
on by 5 screws with hex heads. Take that off, and you will have
access to the grommets from the back. Depending on how bad they
are, you may be able to just push them back to the inside easier than
pushing from the inside out. When you re-install the wiper motor
through the larger grommet, you will likely need to have someone on the
outside holding the grommet in as you push the motor spindle out
through the middle of it. It is a tight fit, and the first try
resulted in the grommet being dislodged. With someone holding it
in as I pushed it out, it worked its way through ok.
I hope this helps
someone. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas about
this project, or things I might should consider adding or changing on this web page, please
contact me at webmaster@megley.com.
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