it needs a fair bit of brute force- to the point where you feel like you're gonna break it.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

You should also be able to just turn on the wiper and then shut it off. The wiper should fall back into place.

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1994 E320 Cab (mine)
2001 Chevy Suburban (wife's)
1995 BMW M3 (son's)
1989 Volvo 740 GL (extra car--for sale)

I'd agree that brute force is required, be sure to protect the windshield though, use an old blanket or towels.
Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

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Hey guys I now have that problem with my wiper not going down after lifting it up for the snow, on my 1996 E320 did that person finally use the increased amount of force suggested and what was the result, any damage to anything?
Thanks guys.

The mechanism that holds up the wiper arm needs to be lubricated. It is a small rod that rides on a channel that is notched at one end. Look under the wiper arm and you'll see it. A couple drops of engine oil at the notch and on the rod and the wiper will be like new.
Dan

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2012 E350 Bluetech

Not a bad time to lift the cover, position the wiper arm for full extension and lubricate the shaft with a few drops of ATF or silicone lube.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

I sprayed some Gunk Super Lube (like WD40 silicone) on the springs and down it came - no force necessary!!

Funny you mention that. When I was apprenticing at Mercedes, the Krauts ( affectionate term) always told me " Peter, sometimes one drop of oil can take the place of three mechanics". Also when I was trying to determine how tight to tighten a fastener, they always told me that tight is tight. It wasn't intil I had some experience under my belt and had become a professional mechanic before I understood the meaning.

By the way I graduated from Santa Rosa High. We enjoyed beating Analy. I think we beat Analy.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

I have exact same problem on my E230. Spent 40min just couldn't figure out how to bring down the wider arm. After reviewing this post. I decided to put few drops of machine lube before resolving to brute force. It just snap back ! Thanks to the forum contributors. Rgds