Can't Remove - w123 Cowl/Valence/Wiper Cover
 

I cannot remove the portion of the hood, in the center of the windshield that covers the wiper-motor (which I think I need to replace).

• I have removed the plastic grills (cowls?)
• I have removed the wipers, rubber booties and a single nut on wiper (passenger side).
• I have removed the circular, rubber grommets that are on the face of the cover, under the hood.

The cover will lift up (i'm being careful not to bend it). It will slide side-to-side, but it will not release from the point where the passenger-side wiper goes through the cover. It seems to have some sort of rubber grommet or washer between the shaft and the cover. Do i just need to tear/pull that off? It seems like it is close to deteriorating. It doesn't seem to want to pull off.

Thanks!

The pic below shows the location I'm talking about.

https://i.imgur.com/hLSDrbp.png

Assuming that you removed any retaining nut from the wiper stem, then either the weep hole edge is caught on the underside or else it is the sticky old insulation gasket. It has been a while since I replaced mine with one from a donor car but if your dealer new plate has no insulation on the underside then use a plastic thin trowel to try to pry it up and preserve the insulation. You might need to improvise by adding sealant caulk and letting it dry to form gasket sections.

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Thanks, you were correct. Sticky old insulation gasket or something. For anyone else, I took a knife and carefully cut around it. I was being extra careful at first because I didn't want to bend the metal but it did just take a little more brute force than I thought. I had another person on the other end of the plate and we kept wiggling it back and forth. Finally came off.

Hey good follow up !

I am surprised that you were able to find a brand new cover plate.
Versus using a junk yard pull.

Are you going to prime and paint the new one?

I would recommend priming it a couple of times under the weep holes or completely on the underside.
Just to keep the 'weather' from doing it in over time.

Have a good one !:)

Sorry the pic was confusing. I was just using it to explain what I was talking about on mine. The pic was from Ebay. Mine is fine.