how do you remove the drivers side wiper arm?
 

I have a wiper arm puller tool but I cant get it over the drivers side because the hood is in the way. Do you really have to take the hood off to get the drivers side wiper arm off?

You will be fine if you disconnect the hood struts, and have someone hold the hood for you.

That might give a touch more room but it's the hood that's right over the nut. 2003 model.

how do you remove the drivers side wiper arm?
 

Although I don't remember the exact method, I took off both wipers with removing the hood or struts when I had to get access to the heater core to clean out old foam and repair the hot/cold air mixer flap. I didn't have a puller tool, either. Sorry, not much help to you, but it can be done.


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Give it a try.
I have done it long time ago, so I'm not sure that my memory serves me right.
But you might be able to lift the hood to the point that it clears the nut.

I replaced my black plastic cowl trim and had no problem removing either wiper arm.

I imagine I opened the hood and maybe even moved it a bit from full open, but didn't disconnect the shocks.

1/4 drive socket equipment is smaller ...

I can get the nut off the stud. I can't get the arm off the stud, it seems it's press fit on. I used a puller to pull the passenger side off and it popped off with some force. I tried to manhandle the drivers side to no avail. Don't want to break the stud or the window.

the wiper arm hole is tapered, so when you press it in it sticks real good.
try to spray some penetrating oil and let it sit for a day.
that might make it more cooperative, so you could pull it by hand.

I bumped the arm a few times until it freed itself. YMMV. But that's my usual method to release a wiper arm from the shaft and it works for me.

The tension in the spring in the arm tends to jam the arm on the shaft. Try to fold the arm away from the glass just a little and simultaneously try to pull the arm off the shaft. It obviously has to come straight off.

+1, I always lock them in the "windshield cleaning" position.

Remove the nut then gently press the arm up and down and it should free itself from the shaft. You shouldn't need to use a wiper arm puller.

Leave the wiper blade on the arm while you are doing all this. If you don't and the wiper arm slips from your grip it can (and likely will) crack your windshield. (Fortunately, I needed a new windshield anyway and insurance covered it)

Thank you all.

Ended up being at the dealer for something else and happened to mention it to a service tech. He told me to take it around back. He had a very small wiper arm puller (Porsche specific? I should have asked) and popped the arm off. He said often times people tighten it too much. Since it was raining he put it back on lightly. Today I open the hood, put the drivers wiper in the service poisition and with a little back and forth popped it off.

New cowling and seal installed.

I just removed both of my wiper arms with a $7.00 puller. Right side came of in a minute but the left side had the hood close. Unscrewed handle and put a smaller screw (1.25") with small washer and nut, with threads up through the hole and screw head down towards the stud. Had wife hold U shape puller over stud as I held screw with needle-nose and small wrench worked nut UP and screw head pushed down on wiper arm stud.