Problem with debris getting into ventilation system
 

I have a problem with debris getting into ventilation system on a 2011 Ranger. It gets in through the large hole around the windshield wiper arms where they connect to the drive shaft. Has anyone figured out a way to prevent debris from going down the holes?

Ford didn't design some things very well. You can't take off the cowl grill to remove anything under it which would seem to make it difficult to service the windshield wiper drive linkage.

Thanks

Where are you seeing the debris? I've been trying to track down the source of some leaves and other dry debris making its way to the floor on the passenger side. Also behind the fuse box door and the plastic paneling. When I turn on the cabin air or heater, they get blown down on to the floor. Is that similar to what you are seeing?

Exactly. The debris is getting inside the heating/cooling system, thanks to Ford's very poor design!

On my 04, there is a panel in the top center of the firewall that allows access to the cowl area and wiper linkage. You can try some foam weatherstripping to fill the gap around the wiper shaft.

lol its much better than my s10's - anything that lands on the s10 windshield slides down and goes directly into the blower box - no cabin filter or anything and constantly have leaves scraping the squirrel cage blower. Eventually they break up or just turn it on full high for a bit and then you can hear things comes rampaging thru the vents at you. Pine needles come out like missiles , maple helicopters getting stuck to the back of the dash vents, and crunched up leaves everywhere. A few times wet leaves get stuck to the squirrel cage and throw it out of balance and shakes the whole dashboard - least the blower is easy to remove.

So I removed a small cover that is in front of the driver's side, which gave access to the compartment that contains the wiper linkage. There was a decent amount of junk right there behind it. Just to the right of the compartment (driver's left) there is a small hole that is loosely covered by a rubber flap that lets the water out. Does anyone know if it is mirrored on the passenger side? Is there another drain hole? There isn't another access panel, so I think the might have to be removed.
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