Windscreen wiper drive — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Remove the windshield wiper arm (see paragraph 15).

2. Open the hood.

3. Remove the heating system air duct housing as follows: (fig. 16.3, a, b):

• a) Turn the three fasteners 90° counterclockwise and remove the filter cover located at the rear of the engine compartment. Slide the filter forward and remove it.
• b) Disconnect the four fasteners and disconnect the cable from the air duct.
• c) Loosen the four screws, slide the filter housing forward, then remove it.
• d) Lift the rubber strip, turn the two fasteners counterclockwise and slide the panel located in the left corner of the engine compartment slightly forward.
• d)) Unscrew the two screws, lift the air duct up and remove it from the engine compartment.

4. Carefully remove the front panel trim, detaching it from the clips.



5. Disconnect the two fasteners, unscrew the screw and remove the front heater casing (see chapter 3).

6. Disconnect the electrical wiring from the windshield wiper motor.

7. Remove the screw securing the lever mechanism to the panel (Fig. 16.7).



8. Unscrew the large nuts from the electric drive shafts and remove the washers.

9. Remove the electric drive (Fig. 16.9). Remove the rubber bushings from the shafts, inspect them and make sure there is no damage. Replace the bushings if necessary.



10. If necessary, mark the relative position of the electric motor shaft and the crank of the lever mechanism, then disconnect the wiper rod from the electric motor joint. Unscrew the nut and remove the crank from the electric motor shaft. Unscrew the mounting bolts and disconnect the electric motor from the lever mechanism (fig. 16.10).

Electric rear wiper

11. Open the luggage compartment door and remove the luggage compartment light from the trim. Disconnect the electrical wiring connector from the lamp.

12. Remove a small piece of the facing from above (Fig. 5.47).

13. Remove the two screws located in the upper corner and carefully release the panel clips (Fig. 5.48). Remove the panel.

14. Disconnect the trim around the luggage compartment door lock strip (Fig. 16.14).



15. Remove the insert from the inner trim panel. Remember the insert fastening (fig. 16.15, a, b).





16. Remove the seven screws, release the four clips and remove the inner panel of the tailgate (fig. 16.16).





17. Disconnect the electrical wiring connectors from the windshield wiper motor.

18. Mark the position of the electric drive bracket relative to the door. Unscrew the four screws and remove the electric drive. If necessary, unscrew the two screws and disconnect the window lock from the electric drive (fig. 16.18, a, b).

Rear window wiper drive shaft and housing

19. Remove the wiper arm (see above).



20. Open the luggage compartment door, remove the two plastic plugs and unscrew the two nuts securing the plastic shaft casing (fig. 16.20). Remove the casing.



21. From the outside of the door, unscrew the shaft nut. Remove all washers (fig. 16.21).



22. Unscrew the nut from the inside and remove the housing together with the shaft (fig. 16.22). Further disassembly is not recommended.

Installation

23. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Install the windshield wiper arms (see paragraph 15).