Still getting my daughter's 02 Accord sorted. The water leak was due to a drain line that was disconnected. All's good there. The wipers are next on my list. There is a TON of play in them at rest - 5-6 inches. Best I can figure is it is the linkage under the cowl.

Has anyone here played around under there before - tips? I'll look around online how DIY, unless someone here can throw a bone to me.

Prices ranged from $132 at Bernaldi and $55 for knock-off.

What say you all?

 

The ends of the linkages are ball joint sockets (pretty damn tight even when they break, besides the not holding the ball part), also wipers will move freely to a degree when at the beginning of their travel. Are you sure the wiper transmission has play in it? Possibly the bushings have worn but I wouldn't expect anything else to wear in that system.
Remove the wipers and then your cowl, re-install the wipers and check for freeplay in the transmission and it's moutning bushings.

 

I'll give that a look, but the amount of play in that system far exceeds all my other cars. Literally, I can lift the wiper blade and move them 6 inches back and forth. There's too much play in there somewhere.

 

It was item #9 that needed to be replaced. The socket towards the center of the car was broken - the lip that held it to the rod on the back was broken off. I suspect that someone had been in there before me.



The rod DOES have a left and right side! You shouldn't have to ask me how I know that.... It works great now. $17 part ordered from Bernardi Honda. I also broke all three of the plastic rivets that hold the cowl piece on.

 

D'OH



Good to know you got it up right.