Water deflector panel removal? - wipers not working??

[deejaya4]

I sprayed WD40 on mine and then left them to soak - then rocked it from side to side while pulling hard. Not easy but eventually came away. Also do it with the wipers in the retracted position (sticking up).
The grated plastic (water deflector panel) is a pain as well and basically all you do is remove any clips that you see and pull it hard away from the windscreen. It is normal to have to replace this panel as the plastic is brittle and breaks easy. Dont worry as they are quite inexpensive from Audi and make the car look better after replacement. c£12
Also be careful not to damage the windscreen by prising anything to get the deflector panel off!
Hope this helps if you have not alrady done it......

[glaudi2003a4]

Thanks for your help.. I gave up and took it to a service place. They changed the battery without removing the wiper arms or plastic grate which is apparently the proper method.

[MDUBS]

When I first bought my A4 the wipers didnt work so the dealer had to replace the motor and cracked the windshield trying to get this piece off. Then they tried telling me it was already like that. Needless to say a call to the owner took care of the windshield. So to sum it up dont stick a screw driver between the windshield and the deflector and try to pry it off!

[john37]

If you want to save money you can clean and polish the assembly. There are two ball joints, left and right as you face the windscreen. My left had one seized.
Take the whole assembly out and disconnect the arms from the motor.
Move each arm to see which one is seized.
Remove the circlip and O ring, and put in to a vice. It will take some doing, but it you keep twisting it to and throw, and it will slide out.
You will then be able to see all the corrosion which has caused it to seize.
Remove, clean, polish and then refit.
I put some copper grease on the pin, and a Special grease for the rubber o ring.

[Delmeister]

Originally Posted by MDUBS

When I first bought my A4 the wipers didnt work so the dealer had to replace the motor and cracked the windshield trying to get this piece off. Then they tried telling me it was already like that. Needless to say a call to the owner took care of the windshield. So to sum it up dont stick a screw driver between the windshield and the deflector and try to pry it off!

I broke my windshield when removing the wipers. Be careful!

[MonroeS4]

This is a common problem with Audi. The "FIX" is to remove the motor asm, remove the clip retaining the wiper shafts in their pivot spindles. Then carefully using penetrating fluid work the shafts out. Now clean the inside of the pivots asm and the wiper shafts with mild abrasive/Scotchbrite and light oil. Don't remove too much material, just the corrosion. Then lubricate them with a grease that repels water. I use wheel bearing grease. Reassemble and you good to go for many years. I had found an article with pictures that explain the whole process. Took about 20 min out, 15 to clean/lub and another 20 to reinstall. Sure beats $100 plus dollars for a new part. Search on Audi wipers slow or binding.
AudiWorld Tech Articles or
How To Re & Re the wiper linkage - TDIClub Forums This is the best one with images too