Wiper linkage 'clicking'

Help needed.....

Vehicle: 2007 Defender 2.4
Leaving work today it was raining so turned on my wipers, first off they seized/stopped mid stroke. Not having moved yet i got out and manually moved them to get them moving on their own again (this is not the first time this has happened).
After that they moved but mid stroke there is a large 'click' from the linkage behind the dash on the drivers side. This continued for the 28 mile drive home so i only used them intermittently as it doesn't sound healthy....

Questions:
1. is this a bad sign, ie is something on its way out? Or will it be remedied with the right type of wet or dry lubricant - i have either
2. How do i easily access the linkage behind the dash? (i am mechanically incompetent and the local LR garage couldn't work out how to access it when i raised the issue previously

Thanks.....

Also have diesel leaking from my tank/breather tubes (had problem before, but this is a garage job!

nothing worse than stopping mid stroke

thought it was mine! said:

nothing worse than stopping mid stroke

Click to expand...

Yes indeed pnaaar..... i realised that as i typed it but couldnt be bothered to change it

Anyway, ideas about the issue in hand?

Sounds like the wiper spindles are failing.

Mine done this recently - ended up replacing both spindles and the cable from the wiper motor.

Mines a td5, meant pulling most of the top part of the dash out to access them - not sure on a Tdci but give yourself plenty of time to do the job

Tried to fix today. Before i started it was clear the problem is worse than it was last night. The wipers pretty much have stopped working now.

Sounds about right - It is either the spindle or the link to the spindle on the drivers side. You can grab the unmoving driver wiper and yank it, and it clicks and starts moving again. Then stops again.

I am guessing the parts involved arent going to cost the earth, but the problem is going to be removing everything to access the affected part/parts.
I tried in vain to get to them removing bits of dash, console etc. but it seems futile as i can't seem to get near them.
If anyone has link to guidance/instructions dash removal i would be very grateful, cheers.......

I stopped mine by hitting the top metal bit that positions the cable over the cog hard enough to bend it slightly nearer the cog therefore forcing the cable tighter on the cog. It was a do or die idea as if it broke it I would have to change the spindles and if I didn't try I would have to change them. It fixed it temporarily but they clicked a few times today. Think they need another hit.