I think that the wiper motor is trash, but whenever I try to turn it on, it sounds like the end of days is coming from the back of my truck. Incredibly loud thunking noise. If it is the motor, how easy is replacing it? Just pop off the panel on the inside of the gate?

 

Its an Easy enough job. Yes pop panel and unbolt wiper motor and nut on outside on shaft of wiper.

 

Thunking sounds like the motor is running, but the rotary to wipy mechanism is apart and hitting stuff.

 

I replaced mine last summer after the gears inside the motor trashed and it sounded like a machine gun rattling off when I hit the switch. Take the inside panel off and there is one bolt that is a bit of a bear to get a wrench on but other than that it comes right out.

 

I'm trying to replace my motor, but once I remove the interior (plastic) panel, there is a metal cover over the door latch and rear wiper motor. It doesn't look like it can be removed without doing something with the door latch assembly. Do you know anything about this?