The windscreen wiper system on the Volkswagen Thing has been kept as simple and compact as possible so as not to be a hindrance when the windscreen is tilted forward. Don't expect miracles from it, it can keep the windscreen water-free, but that's about it.
Play on the wiper drive causes the system to momentarily fail at the start and end of each wiper movement, only to continue again with a jolt, leaving part of your windscreen unwiped.
The rod mentioned here connects the two wiper arms to each other, there is a good chance that this is where the play is.
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