Wiper Wheelbox: is it possible to.....?

[Klaus Schlueter]

Hello,

is it possible to remove the old and install new wiper wheel boxes without disassembling the dashboard?

Klaus

[SGN]

Hi Klaus

I don't think you can, but if your'e problem is wear in the wiper box you can remove the worm drive then turn the wheel box gear 1/2 a turn.

Cheers
Steve

[Staggard]

Hello,

is it possible to remove the old and install new wiper wheel boxes without disassembling the dashboard?

Klaus

Yep I did my passenger side I would think the drivers side is possible as well.

[SGN]

Yep I did my passenger side I would think the drivers side is possible as well.

I stand corrected

[thebadleys]

Hello,

is it possible to remove the old and install new wiper wheel boxes without disassembling the dashboard?

Klaus

Hi,

Yes it is, I did it on mine earlier this year, glovebox out, instrument panel out (disconnect the battery ) do one side at once otherwise the tubing disappears.
Cant remember how long it took but not that long.

Nigel

[Klaus Schlueter]

Many thanks for all your replies.

We have discussed the worm drive trick here sometime ago and I have it on my winter list. But I have no infos wether the wiper box should be renewed at the same time due to wear on the gears. Has anyone opened a 40+ year old box and checked the wear?

Klaus

[dasadrew]

Klaus, when I started my resto I bought two new wheelboxes and fitted them. I couldn't detect any wear wahtsoever on the 40 year old ones (although the first 20 years were spent in the Provence and not Manchester!).

I'm just ditching old removed stuff which I'd kept for the duration of the resto and had the old wheelboxes in my hands a few minutes ago. Again, no evidence of wear.

Cheers

Drew

[thebadleys]

Many thanks for all your replies.

We have discussed the worm drive trick here sometime ago and I have it on my winter list. But I have no infos wether the wiper box should be renewed at the same time due to wear on the gears. Has anyone opened a 40+ year old box and checked the wear?

Klaus

Hi Klaus,

I acquired a couple of NOS boxes and used them because the splines on wiper arm end on mine were worn, however when I looked at the gears they didn't seem that worn and when I rebuilt it with the old rack there was still a fair amount of play.

So I would consider changing the rack first to see if that takes the play out of the action, I am going to replace over winter. On some models you could turn the rack 180 degrees so the side that had not been in contact was used but on the stag there is a lever that operates the parking switch.

Nigel

[dasadrew]

Hi Nigel,

I too found the worst bit of the wheelbox was the wiper arm splines!

I did buy a new (Rimmers) rack but the angle welded on for the stop switch was such a shoddy piece of work that I put it away in its bag and re-used the original.

Klaus, if you really have a problem with play, then just withdraw the rack, turn the wheelbox spindles 180° and feed the rack back in to see if it makes a difference.

Drew

[thebadleys]

Hi Nigel,

I too found the worst bit of the wheelbox was the wiper arm splines!

Yes, that was my problem, I think the rack, being made of 2 pieces, one round the other is the main cause of "flapping" wiper arms.

I am glad I didn't buy a new rack after what you described.

Nigel

[StagJonno]

Hi Klaus,

I acquired a couple of NOS boxes and used them because the splines on wiper arm end on mine were worn, however when I looked at the gears they didn't seem that worn and when I rebuilt it with the old rack there was still a fair amount of play.

So I would consider changing the rack first to see if that takes the play out of the action, I am going to replace over winter. On some models you could turn the rack 180 degrees so the side that had not been in contact was used but on the stag there is a lever that operates the parking switch.

Nigel

Yes, definitely don't try turning the rack. Mine was like that when I got it. Apart from the parking switch issue, it presented at an angle to the wiper motor crank so that it sprung the circlip and then lifted the big toothed gear, causing stripping of the plastic teeth by the worm gear. These 130deg plastic gears are very hard to come by

Jonno

[Klaus Schlueter]

Many thanks to all. Some more questions if you don't mind:
1) Is there a way to find out wether turning the rack is possible or not? Just try it (despite Jonno's warning)? Or is there a special type of wiper drive for this rescue method?

2) For a new rack: any recommendations/experience for good quality?

3) Wear in the splines has been mentioned several times: did you mean the splines on the wheelbox shaft or in the wiper arm or both?

Klaus

[SGN]

Many thanks to all. Some more questions if you don't mind:
1) Is there a way to find out wether turning the rack is possible or not? Just try it (despite Jonno's warning)? Or is there a special type of wiper drive for this rescue method?

2) For a new rack: any recommendations/experience for good quality?

3) Wear in the splines has been mentioned several times: did you mean the splines on the wheelbox shaft or in the wiper arm or both?

Klaus

I referred to the gear wheel in the wheelbox that is turned by the worm drive.

Cheers
Steve

[dasadrew]

Klaus, do you atcually have a problem with the wipers or is this a desperate attempt to find some preventive maintenance you can do?

Drew

[thebadleys]

Many thanks to all. Some more questions if you don't mind:
1) Is there a way to find out wether turning the rack is possible or not? Just try it (despite Jonno's warning)? Or is there a special type of wiper drive for this rescue method?

2) For a new rack: any recommendations/experience for good quality?

3) Wear in the splines has been mentioned several times: did you mean the splines on the wheelbox shaft or in the wiper arm or both?

Klaus

Klaus,

1) I looked at turning the rack, in my opinion it can't be done

2) I didn't buy a new one as I was unsure of the quality

3) I was referring to the splines on the wiper arm end of the wheel box, not the gear inside the car, this is my interpretation.

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