How can I stop my windscreen wipers from making so much noise on my Fiat Punto? They seem to be too tight, so I want to loosen them off a bit, but don't know how. They get louder the faster I go and don't clean the windscreen very well either.

Pete, November 2004

This tip is as old as the hills. Cut a raw potato in half. Make a slit in it and rub it into the wiper.

Jack, September 2010

try looking at the wiper motor, which is hid under the plastic trim at the bottom of the windscreen. take the 4 screws out of the motor and wipe any excess grease off the interior wiper contacts. this has worked on mine and it stopperd the wipers judering

james lawson, February 2005

Sounds more like either your wiper arm spring is getting old (that happened to mine and then the spring snapped) or you have one of the motors with a design flaw (which I've read about).

If it's the arm spring that's getting weak, a new arm is about GBP20 from a main dealer. It's simple to fit with a really small screwdriver, some penetrating oil and a 13mm socket. Use the small screwdriver to ease the insert off of the base, then use the 13mm socket to remove the nut. Take off the washer and the arm should come away. If it doesn't, use the oil spray on it, wait and try again. If you're really stuck, use a large screwdriver under the arm, but be careful not to crack anything.

MJR, November 2004