Highlander windshield wiper mechanism problem

Anyone had this problem:

2002 Highlander driver's wiper failed, passenger side OK.
Toyota dealer wants over $300 (Canadian) to replace mechanism
that links wiper motor to arm. Won't do this under extended
warranty. Not easy to see what's going on from outside, so had to
ask dealer to fix. Seems exorbitant for a modest mechanical part
that should be durable.

If you want instructions on how to take the cowl off, I'll post them for
you. It's pretty simple.

yes, please, that would help for next time..... problem was we were
stranded
in pouring rain late at night, which wasn't the best moment to explore
how to
get at the mechanism.

First you remove the wipers with a 14mm socket and a whack of the palm.
Then take off the weatherstrip by detaching it from several clips held
from underneath. Then, there are two round plastic pop rivets, one on each
side of the cowl, and those are disengaged by pressing in the center with a
small screwdriver. Now the cowl will remove in two halves, exposing the
wiper linkage and motor.
Thats it, and the process is pretty much the same for all late model
toyotas.