In most cases, they are not hard to separate for in the plastic bushings have already shattered or cracked. If not, a large flat screwdriver will take them apart and Channellocks/plyers will pop them back together.
To change the wiper bushings, I recommend to:
- Use some temporary tape, like masking tape, to mark the position of wiper arms. In your case with the wiper motor removed, it will not help much.
- remove both wiper arms. There is a Left and a Right side. Tilt the arm up and use a slot screwdriver to pull a tab outward. This will keep the arm in the “tilted up” position. Generally light rocking will allow the arms to come up and off.
- Remove the large nuts holding the wiper pivots in place. I think they are 15/16” 12-point – but don’t quote me on that. There might be an odd-shaped washer under Left side nut.
- After both nuts are removed, push down on pivots (if they didn’t already fall).
- Remove the wiper transmission out as an assembly through the hole in cowl.
- Mark the arm positions. I prefer to take a sharpie and mark top on both left sides. The rear arm might not matter which direction it goes back in, but the front arm does (know from experience).
- On the bench, take a large flat blade screwdriver and pry the bushings away from pivots. It shouldn’t take much to do.
- Channellocks or plyers are decent to remove bushings from the two arms. This can be easy or not so easy (if bushings didn’t crumble at this point).
- Use Channellocks or plyers to pop the new bushings into the arms. Here Channellocks do work better and sometimes a socket to cover the other end. This is one area where the Chrysler bushings fit so much better than the aftermarket ones do.
I prefer to put a small bit of grease into the bushing hole before popping them back onto the pivots. It won’t hold much and too much will make a mess. The type of grease shouldn’t matter (wheel bearing, white spray, etc.). The bushings were designed to operate dry, but they also squeak when dry. Note: when spraying lube, as mentioned above), you are aiming the grease for these bushings.
- Assemble the arm that attaches to wiper motor (with your new kit) to existing transmission assembly.
- Install the wiper transmission back into place, in reverse order. I like to stick one pivot up enough to get a couple threads on one nut, then do the next. When in position, then tighten nuts.
- In your case (and lastly), attach wiper motor to car leaving the wiper motor arm for last.
- If all nuts are tight, try the wipers before putting the cowl screen in place.
BudW
Edit:
In your case, sense the wiper motor was removed, I suggest attaching the wiper arms after wiper motor is attached, operated and then parked. That way you can get the arms under the hood line (which doesn’t apply to F or M-bodies).