how to remove hood piece to access wiper arms

[Fords4Us]

This seems like such a simple thing, but I cannot find the answer either in Chilton's or in the Tech Library. I have an 83 Ranger whose wiper arms keep sliding off the wiper motor's eccentric post. There's a stupid little clip, which I have, which keeps those wiper arms mounted on that post. I have successfully removed both the driver/passenger side wipers from their posts, but I need to remove the narrow metal grille piece that lays between the hood, and the windshield. I had hoped that removing the plastic nuts from the wiper posts would be sufficient and it would just lift off. Nope. there's something else keeping that grille solidly attached, and I sure can't find it. How does that stupid thing come off? The maddening part is that I can almost reach the clip without removing the grille. But "almost" isn't good enough. Suggestions? I have until Sunday to get this fixed, because that's when the rains return. And I sure as heck don't want to take this to the shop and tell them that I need them to pull that stupid grill for me. Thanks all!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Unfortunately the "grill" portion is welded in place. All I can suggest is to break your arm so there is another joint to bend....jk. Hopefully someone with more experience can help. Other than that all I can suggest is you will have to get creative with the tools you have on hand.
good luck,

Richard

 

[Fords4Us]

Are you sure it's welded in place? The shop has already replaced this little clip for me once. It's prone to sliding out of its alignment which is why I have to do it again. They either would have needed to remove the grille, or take off the dashboard and go through from that direction. The eccentric for the wiper blades is essentially right in front of the instrument cluster. My main contact at the shop never said anything about having to remove the dashboard to reach that eccentric. Maybe on other year body styles the grille was welded, but on the '83 it was fastened in some other way? Maybe I'll swing by the shop and ask them how they did it last time. They're fairly supportive of my working on my own truck, thankfully. But now I wonder how they got in there.

 

[SenorNoob]

On my 88 there is an access plate under the hood. Will at least help a little.
It's a simple metal plate with 4 screws/bolts (I don't remember) in it. It sits about midway I think.

As for getting creative, I used some tools made from metal coat hangers to reconnect one of the rods one time.

 

[Mark_88]

Yes, the access panel is in the middle of the fire wall...and it is a tight fit requiring a bit of contortionist skills but it is doable...helps to have custom made tools though...last time I took mine off the fasteners were actually big screws...and there is a foam backing in there to help seal it IIRC...