- #2481 of 3125
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Rear Window Wiper Broke !!
by csprick
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Apr 27, 2007 (4:20 pm)
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 Got a special $4 basic carwash the other day and when I walked around my '07 Tahoe, I saw that the rear wiper was moved downward, below the stop. Sure enough, the bracket had snapped. A stop by the Chevy dealer resulted in a $43 replacement, which is the entire assembly arm and cover (but not the blade portion) that attaches to the drive motor with one nut.
Yep, it was one of those "soft touch" car washes with the flappy foam strips, and No, the blade was not taped down, like some places do. I should have known better!  I had a Ford Explore in CA and ran it through one of these places every week without any problems, but they generally taped all wipers down.
Anyone else use this type of carwash? Experience?
The parts guy said they sell a lot of rooftop antennas caused by the same problem.
Chuck
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- #2482 of 3125
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Re: Rear Window Wiper Broke !! [csprick]
by rhame13
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Apr 27, 2007 (7:33 pm)
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Replying to: csprick (Apr 27, 2007 4:20 pm)
When I first got my Denali, I ran it through the $20 car wash and the attendants didn't put enough tape on it and the same thing happened. However the arm was dangling off of the back. Snapped it clean off. The car wash manager was very apologetic and told me to get it fixed and they would pay for it. When I took it to the dealership, my service guy before I could even go into the story about what happened told me that he had seen it many times and he ordered me another part under warranty. So I was happy. Since then my car wash guys have been putting a plastic sleeve over the rear washer arm and taping it down before it runs through the car wash. I haven't really had any problems except for the small black plastic cap that pops over the nut where the arm is attached to the decklid. That doesn't want to stay on. In fact my dealership has a new one there waiting for me to pick up. If I remember correctly I think the service guy mentioning something about a design problem with that arm and they are seeing a lot of that. Who knows? I am just glad they are picking up the tab. 
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- #2483 of 3125
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Re: Rear Window Wiper Broke !! [rhame13]
by csprick
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Apr 27, 2007 (9:52 pm)
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Replying to: rhame13 (Apr 27, 2007 7:33 pm)
Interesting that your dealer covered it under warranty. I didn't even consider trying that route, simply went to the parts department and bought the arm, figuring it was my screw-up. You must have a really great dealer.
I'm due to take my Tahoe in for service on Monday so will ask the service rep about reimbursement. I'm sure that the carwash people would tell me to pound sand, since they have all kinds of disclaimer signs up.
What's the considered opinion, Forum Members - warranty item or my loss 
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- #2485 of 3125
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Re: Rear Window Wiper Broke !! [csprick]
by gfraigun
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Apr 28, 2007 (11:16 am)
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Replying to: csprick (Apr 27, 2007 9:52 pm)
I would expect it to be a warranty item. You didn't do anything with your truck that wouldn't be expected of anyone with a new car. You went to get it washed. It should hold up..
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- #2486 of 3125
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GOOD NEWS
by 73shark
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Apr 28, 2007 (1:26 pm)
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Just rec'd a notice from GM that they were rebating $100 of my GMPP (ext warranty) due to the new 5 yr/100K warranty. The funny part is that when I bought it, which was after the new warranty came out, I got the salesman to knock $300 off due to the new warranty. I won't spend it 'til it's in the bank tho. 
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- #2487 of 3125
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Re: Rear Window Wiper Broke !! [csprick]
by rockman59
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Apr 28, 2007 (5:00 pm)
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Replying to: csprick (Apr 27, 2007 9:52 pm)
What's the considered opinion, Forum Members - warranty item or my loss
____________________________________________________________
I would go back to the car wash. They can hang all the "disclaimer signs" they want but that doesn't excuse their liability for factory installed parts. There are thousands of Suburbans and Tahoes on the road and their equipment and staff should be able to handle anthing that GM puts on the vehicle. Owner installed after-market items are another thing entirely. Factory parts should be covered by the car wash. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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- #2488 of 3125
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Re: Rear Window Wiper Broke !! [rockman59]
by jerrywimer
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Apr 30, 2007 (3:52 am)
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Replying to: rockman59 (Apr 28, 2007 5:00 pm)
I'd go with warranty item too. Just like I'd attempt to get an antenna replaced. If the Owner's Manual doesn't have a warning in it not to take the vehicle through non-touchless car washes because it might damage the wiper arm, it should be assumed to be safe. I have a strong feeling that if this were a common problem there would be *exactly* such a clause in there covering it, and making it a non-warranty item.
Besides, the worst that can happen is you ask for it to be replaced under warranty because you understand the situation to be as I stated, and they tell you 'No', then you pay for it yourself anyway. 
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- #2489 of 3125
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Re: Rear Window Wiper Broke !! [jerrywimer]
by gfraigun
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Apr 30, 2007 (7:49 am)
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Replying to: jerrywimer (Apr 30, 2007 3:52 am)
GM's are supposed to be good trucks. It should stand up against a simple car wash. I would be pissed if the dealership said it wasn't covered.
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- #2490 of 3125
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Re: Yukon/Tahoe vs Denali, regular vs XL ??? [ahightower]
by ahightower
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Apr 30, 2007 (12:23 pm)
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Replying to: ahightower (Apr 23, 2007 11:16 am)
Well, here I was extolling the virtues of the Yukon XL/Suburban vs. regular length Yukon or Tahoe and fitting everything inside. But I wanted even more space, so I bought a cargo carrier on Friday, to put on my Yukon XL. It's a "Hitch Haul" brand, size 20"x60", and fits into the 2" trailer hitch. That came in really handy for a camping trip this past weekend. Got it at Cabela's for only $65, and I'd seen other brands online for well over $100. I could have squeezed everything inside, but for only $65, it sure is convenient to have even more space. We were required to bring in our own firewood at this park (Dinosaur Valley in Glen Rose, TX), and that would have been a mess inside the car. I put our big rubbermaid tub of camping gear and all our folding chairs and a bunch of wood on the hitch haul. Like I said, I could have crammed it all inside, but it would have stacked high and blocked my view out the back, and required more work. Abundance of space is always a good thing. It's really easy to put on and take off, and only takes a few inches of floor space in the garage, stood up against the wall. The truck rode very smoothly and the rear didn't sag at all from the added weight. It was level, which felt odd at first since it's usually a bit higher in the back vs. the front. As far as I can tell there was no significant decrease in fuel economy. I'd probably overinflate the rear tires a couple pounds next time. I highly recommend this over the rooftop carrier, it's just easier to load, and I imagine more aerodynamic.
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