4 replies to this topic

[4dabush]

Hi Folks,

I know they come out easy enough, but I was struggling to find how to get the windscreen wiper arms back in without scratching the frock out of everything.  I searched on here and on google only to find comments on the forum that it was a mongrel job and that some of you wished bad things in the after-life for GM designers/engineers.  I wasn't happy with the engine bay so while i was stuffing around, rubbing it back, stuck inside the while it was still pouring outside, I played with these.

 

So, here are some photos to hopefully help those of you, like me, who had forgotten how easily they come out, pulled them out years ago, or for people who have bought dissembled cars.     These photos are standing in the engine bay.  If the engine is still in - probably get the bonnet out the way and climb in the engine bay. I am a short-arse so you don't need to be built like a basketballer or have a third elbow.

 

If your heater box is still in, you need to remove that first...that one extra elbow joint will come in handy for the heater box removal!

 

First, MASK UP YOUR WIPER HOLES!!!  Should go without saying (yes, I have  photo without it masked because I forgot to take the starting shots till after!). 

 

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Next, a little bit of masking tape to hold the unit together will make life MUCH easier. Leave a tag so its easy to pull off once installed.   Make sure the 2 holes on each pivot are pointing to the  PASSENGER side.

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Next, slide the whole unit towards the driver side

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Lift up the centre wiper pivot into the plenum hole.

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Locate the pivot through the plenum and start to lift it and spin the wiper pivot to get the 2 holes to the rear firewall.

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Hold this one in place with any old bolt that will easily go through, or the wiper bolt a couple of turns only  - this was about a 30mm long allen head. Its just there as a pin to stop the pivot falling back out. Its handy to have lots of play for the next step.

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Now for the trickier one, drivers side, gently lift the whole assembly to get the pivot to come through the plenum with your right arm, catching the top of the pivot with your left hand. I rested my arm in the belly of the plenum and just used my wrist to lift the unit gently.

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You should still be able to feel the 2 holes on the pivot with your right hand, swing them around towards the firewall, hanging on to the pivot with the left and using it to help turn and locate it. 

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Line up the hole at the front, either start the right bolt or stick another small one in to hold it all in place. I popped the engine bay ones in loosely before getting inside the car.       It was surprisingly easy once I had everything lined up the right way.  Its all back out again for painting...

 

I hope this helps some others out there and avoid frayed tempers and scratches ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bazza]

Hi

 

I don't know what other people do, but I have always installed the pivots first, and then the rods. Never been a problem.

 

Bazza

[sibhs]

Great info Adam and write-up. 

Like Bazza I have installed pivots first then persisted with getting the clips on the arms. Also the pivots should have a bit of sealer where they are bolted down to prevent water getting into the cab.

 

Marty

[RallyRed]

Nice work mate...but to be honest, I just hope I never need to do it!

[4dabush]

Great info Adam and write-up. 

Like Bazza I have installed pivots first then persisted with getting the clips on the arms. Also the pivots should have a bit of sealer where they are bolted down to prevent water getting into the cab.

 

Marty

I didn’t mention sealing the bolts because I figured that people would do that as a matter of course because Half the car is full of sealant…and half the leaks are from all the places the factory forgot to seal . My drivers floor was rusted because there was no sealant on one of the joints between the A pillar and the plenum. Leaked from the day it left the factory.  Windscreen never leaked on the drivers side and car had been in dry storage since about 1988 so all the damage was done prior.