Bosch ICON install on 550 without wiper arm mod (HOW TO)

The following is a how to install Bosch ICON wipers on a 1999 550 without modifying the bizarre reverse J hook on the passenger side wiper. For those that need background the arm on the driver side windshield wiper has a hook that curves into the window, allowing a stock Bosch ICON 21A wiper to be installed as normal. However the passenger side wiper arm has a hook that curves away from the window, preventing a normal wiper from being installed. Past solutions that have solved the problem include sourcing a 360/430 arm or cutting the stock arm at the hook and rewelding it facing the normal inward direction. Having jumped the gun, I purchased a Bosch ICON 24A without reading any of that and was stuck with no way to install it. Here is my solution with lots of pics:

TOOLS NEEDED:
Small screwdriver
Bench grinder or hand grinder or Dremel
Medium / large sized pliers
Punch
Small hammer

Test Subject:
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Pull plastic cover off of the wiper blade exposing the metal carrier.
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Use grinder of choice to remove the raised head of the center pivot pin. ONE SIDE ONLY.
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Use punch on the side you just ground to knock the pin into the center. It should not come all the way out. I missed a pic of the punch but you can see it was hit into the arm and came out the other side.
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Use small screwdriver to pry plastic mount out from between metal arms.
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The plastic cover will need to have some material removed as the arm will exit just above the wiper body. Normally the arm exits at the top but because we are reversed use a knife or Dremel to cut a relief into the bottom of the plastic opposite end of the side that opens. I tried to just use a heavy scissor and it cracked right off.
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On the passenger wiper arm install the removed plastic mount as shown in the pic. Do not slide it all the way into the J hook just yet.
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Install the wiper over the mount. The pin will hang out which ever side you pressed it out. It does not matter what side the pin is as long as the wiper is installed in the correct orientation. The Bosch name should be right side up when the wiper is in the sleeping position. Check your driver side and make it looks the same.
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Using the pliers press the pin back into position. Friction should hold it tight. The cover will also keep the pin from working its way out as well.
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Pin installed. Again wiper is not fully inserted into J hook yet.
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The cover (door still open) can now be snapped over the top. See the need for the relief cut now. The cover will not snap down if the mount is slid too far back or forward into the J hook.
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With the door open and the cover on, slide the entire wiper into the J hook. Guide the top of the J hook OVER the back plastic of the cover.
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Close the door.
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Not as pretty as if the J hook was flipped but its quick and easy. If you need better contact on the window you can put a slight bend into the arm but mine was fine.
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Hope someone finds this useful. Quick background, my first post on the forum. This is my dad's car, he picked it up a couple weeks ago on BaT. Have its almost completely sorted, it needed love but nothing too bad. He also has a 1984 308. I run a 2011 458. My local FCA-CT Chapter president Chris is a big DIY guy and reminded me how important it is to do these writeups. I'm glad he did.

Adam

 

Glad to help!