I got a little bored today and felt like doing something to the car.

I popped off the rear inner cover for the hatch using a little finesse and brute strength. Be CAREFUL to not break or lose the clips. If they get stuck in the hatch, find something with 2 prongs and a slot in the center to pry them out. I luckily have a clip puller here.

Following that, I removed the cover over the wiper bolt, used a 10mm socket to remove the bolt underneath, and pulled the rear wiper off. Since my car is only a few months old, there was no chance for corrosion. If yours is stuck, a little WD-40 or PB Blaster might help. Just don't get anything on the paint.

Next, I removed the 3 10mm bolts holding the wiper motor assembly in place, and also disconnected the plug that powers the motor. The motor assembly is now free! Pull it out! Once everything is removed, zip-tie the dangling plug to the wire thar uns across the hatch. I also removed one of the wire clips from the motor assembly and inserted it into an open hole in the back of the hatch to keep things in place and prevent rattles.

I used a 1 3/16" nylon plug for the hole [bought from Home Depot], hit it with 100 grit, then 320, then 600 to smooth it out, primered it, and then shot it with Duplicolor Super White, and topped it off with 3 coats of Duplicolor clear.

Shoved it in using the palm of my hand and a microfiber as to not make any indents on the paint on the plug, and sealed the backside off with some black RTV gasket maker.











Note: The wiper hole on the xA is 1 3/16" while the hole on the xB is 1 1/16". This is an xA-specific thread regarding the size of the plug used.

 

The small XA logo...and the rear wiper. good job!

 

Bingo. You get the prize!

 

looks good.. probably the same size for the xB huh?

 

I would say no. The xB hole seems to be a bit smaller than the hole for the wiper on the xA, especially considering that I read of some guys using a 1" plug for their wiper hole on the box.

A 1" plug would slip right through the xA hatch.


Here's a xB for comparison.


And here's proof...

 

Looks nice and clean.

 

Gracias. I suppose I'll see how it holds up in the rain tomorrow, not that I have any doubts or anything though.

I never used the rear wiper, and it always got in the way when washing the car, so kthxbye it went.

 

Looks good. Great job Zillion.
I was going to put a rear view camera back there, then I decided that I am going to shave the rear wiper off when it is time to shave every other thing off, and make it look clean.

 

This is alot cheaper than shaving... that's for sure.

I paid about 12 dollars. $10 for paint, $0.60 for the plug, plus tax.

 

Very nicely done.



Tomas

 

Thanks for the photos and details.

I wish I could take off the giant logo. Too bad there's that oval indent. The xB's look so nice and clean.

 

No problem... actually, let me rearrange this post into something more of a Tech format.

I want to get rid of the emblem in the rear as well, but yeah, that indent is there. There's always the option of shaving it, but I want to stay away from paintwork.

 

Looks like you've got one of the rare base models that didn't even come with a rear wiper.
Seriously, nice work.

 

Why yes, indeed I do...

I noticed you're rather local too, you should venture up one of these weeks and check out the local meets we have in Hatfield and Quakertown.

 

Looks good! Very clean!!!