semar

Now that I am driving a car that is so quiet I begin to hear a noise that I was not aware of before. Of course nothing dramatic but when it comes to rattles I get annoyed.
When the wipers are operating I have a clacking noise coming when the wipers are engaging from right to left. I checked the arms when they are at rest but can detect nothing. Only when they are active.
To me it sounds like something "loose" in the linkage.
A condition for buying the car was to replace the cracked windshield. I am almost sure the wiperarms were removed to facilitate the windshield installation and they were not re-installed correctly so that both arms are working in a synchronized fashion.
I searched for a diagram to see how they are installed but other than some generic locations I could not find anything.
Any suggestion where I can look? Any likewise experiences?

It may also be related to the rattle I hear when driving over a bump. That sound is like a small rod hitting something in the upper dash/off the right side of the steering column

peteyx

My left side wiper arm had loosened and was going too far. It was hitting the A-pillar and making a noise. I readjusted and tightened down the nut securing the arm and that eliminated the noise. Maybe?

semar

thanks for the suggestion
but the arm is not hitting anything. The noise comes from what I perceive the linkage. Like as if one arm is starting and then the second is kicking in.
I guess I will start by taking the wipers off, then see if everything is ok from the motor up.
At least I found some info telling me about torque specs and distances to observe from the bottom of the windshield to the arm in resting position. They are not the same; each arm is different
The windshield was replaced by the PO and I have a hunch they just slapped the wipers on without paying attention to the correct installation procedures.
I will report back when the problem is solved.