Wiper rod linkage....Grrrrrrrr.

The linkage between my motor and the left wiper popped off, and it's becoming a royal headache. I can get the right side (where it connects to the left wiper) on, but the one attaching to the motor arm is becoming a royal PITA. Everything seems to be in ok shape, and looking at the hole in the linkage, I can't see any issues.

Also, I'm not positive I'm putting it on right, but it's oh-so-slightly curved, and I'm thinking that the way I have it must be right, because the other way lets that curve nearly prevent the linkage from staying on. The rod itself is basically a "C" shape in cross-section, and I have it now with the C open to towards me (to the rear) like the one between the two wipers is.



Any tips for getting these on? I'm about to lose it with the hammer, and I'm worried one of the linkages is going to snap.

Pic of the left side that's giving me trouble:



And the side I managed to get on, yet not all the way on...



I'm struggling to get this guy out on the road, and not being able to drive in the rain isn't helping.

Err...don't know why the pics are rotated. Pretend they're all shifted 90 degrees clockwise.

 

As a side note...I think the wiper motor may have burned out now; I think I accidentally flipped the switch, and it was arm was binding against the loose linkage. >_< There goes $75.

 

The rub marks look like the linkage may have been rubbing on the inside of the ws frame. I think the link may be on backwards causing it to be spaced wrong.

 

Well, to be fair, I've really been jamming down on both pieces pretty hard with a pair of long-nose pliers and a flat head screwdriver; a lot of the marks are due to that. The bottom pic appears to have a crack in it, and I'm worried I can only push on it for so long before it snaps.

I still have the original linkages, my only problem is getting them to go together. I wish I had some sort of tool I could use to squeeze them together...something that had action like a pipe wrench, only MUCH smaller (with the ability to squeeze the calipers together other than just rotating the adjustment cam on the wrench).

I know that's far-fetched, but I've put a LOT of force on that one hole, and I just can't get it to go in. I thought about trying to drill it out a little to make it fit better, but I'm worried it won't stay, even with the retaining clip. Think that's a bad idea?

 

I'd take all the linkage out and see how it fits on the bench. The linkage parts should slide right together. If you have to force them something isn't right. If they have to be forced they are binding and will never work right.