As I recall it is a friction lock that holds the wiper arm in position.

Pop the little cap off the shaft where the wiper arm attaches.Loosen the
anchor nut, then pull the arm up to where you want it. Tighten the nut,
re-install the cap.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Jeff Lincoln wrote:

>I'm really glad you asked this question because I was about to ask the same
>thing. I made the mistake of going through a gas station car wash. Well, the
>damn spinning wheel thingy ripped my driverside wiper blade up so it stood
>verticaly when not in use. I gently pulled it back to position but now it
>only makes it about half way up when I used it and then just drops lose down
>below the windshield line. I can move it to where it is tight but then it is
>to high. THan't the last time I make that mistake!
>
>Thank you,
>
>Jeff Lincoln
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
>Of Miller, Ryan
>Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 10:29 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: winshield wiper woes
>
>
>Vanagonites,
>        I recently had the opportunity to drive through a real rainstorm
>down here in Arizona and quickly realized my driver side windshield wiper
>wasn't functioning up to par. It would stall out as if it didn't seem to
>have the necessary strength to complete the full wipe. Is there a bolt that
>just needs tightening or is this more serious?
>
>Ryan A. Miller
>'82 Westie "Camper Van Beethoven"
>  ============      ,,,,,,
> /__||__||__|:|   ,'putt,'
>o|   MLR      | ,' putt,
> '-O--------O-'''''''''
>
>
>