Windscreen Wiper/ Dashboard - Help Reqd!

[chimleic]

My driver's side windscreen wiper has given up the ghost. Whilst the motor is driving the passenger side wiper just fine, the driver's side doesn't move. Am I justified in suspecting that the mechanism has broken or become detached?

I've spoken with local TVR garage and they reckon it'd be a 'dash off' job to fix it...costing in excess of £600 to replace a component that costs less than £27. Naturally I am interested in doing the job myself, rather than having to cancel my holiday this year!!!

Firstly, has anyone had this problem? If so, can they provide any pointers to rectifying it.

Secondly, any tips on removing the dash and gaining access to the wiper gearing in a '98 Chim would be very greatfully recieved.

Thanks as always,

Andy

[gf350]

Don't know about the chim but when the wiper has done that on other cars (quite a few), I've managed to fix it by taking off the cover on the wiper where it attaches to the spindle and doing the nut up.
Hope it is only this.
GF

[zippee]

Exactly the same thing has happened to mine but on the passenger side. It's the spindle that is broken and needs replacing which is a dash off and VERY fiddly job. On many models a hole also has to be cut through into the bulkhead to gain access. Hence the reason I'm leacing mine as a dealer fix. The spindles come as a pair and I believe are around £180, plus about 3 hours labour.
However, Offords have managed to source some cheaper than this and I'm looking at a total bill of around £250. Still expensive but a damned site cheaper than the £600 you've been quoted.

[shpub]

Yep get that saw out as it will need an access hole to be cut. Details in the bible.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[mick_coupe]

It sounds like you are talking about the wheel boxes...look here www.s-v-c.co.uk new wheel boxes are £20 each! Have a look under wipers

Mick

[jonnyb]

The wipers work in the same way as the minis used to. The motor drives a metal rod back and forth and then individual wheel boxes drive the wiper arms. It sound like the wheel box has gone. About £20 to buy, and a pain to fix. On later cars an access panel was put in behind the dash, it may be worth taking the dash off to see if its there. If not an access hole will have to be cut. And its easyer to come in from the engine bay. If you remove the bonet catch and cut the grp away from behind, the wheel box can be acessed. Then cut a bit of stainless steel and fix it over the hole with some self tappers, not forgetting to seal it with sikaflex, then replace the bonet catch and you wouldnt know it was there. Sounds easy!

[chimleic]

name said:

Sounds easy!

Not to me!!! As a complete grp newbie...what would I use to cut away the necessary access hole? How big should I make the hole?

Also, I don't have capacity/tool/rescources to fashion a stainless steel replacement patch...any alternatives?

Also, also...if I need to re-order components, what is the component type/name/number for a 98 Chim?

Many thanks again!

Andy

[chimleic]

Further to that....I had noticed that the spindle did have a slight 'wobble' when I had the wiper arms changed some months ago. It's looking like a definate culprit now!

Having described it as a 'fiddly' job, could you give me some guidance on what is required. I really need to try and attempt this myself as I've just shelled out for insurance, with a 12k service and new tyres due next month...have blown my TIV budget for the spring! LOL

[parrot of doom]

Just about any industrial park will likely contain a business that for peanuts can cut you a small sheet of steel. All you need is a big sheet to start off with, and some tinsnips.

Or just find your local ironmonger.

[Ribol]

I may have missed where someone else may have already suggested this but are you sure the rack in not the problem? Yes, wheelboxes wear, but so do racks.

Might be worth pulling the rack out and looking before you nuke the car - just a thought.

[chimleic]

I'm guessing that the rod can be disconnected from the wsaher motor and pulled out through the bonnet area?

[jonnyb]

Yep! Disconect the wiper motor, and remove the motor from the car. to do this you need to unplug the wiring and also unscrew the nut that holds the metal outer tube on to the motor body. Then the rod can be pulled out allong with the motor.

As for labour rates from another thread, Auto-Tune in Hinkley are about £45 an hour, and Joospeed is £50 an hour. Give them a call if you dont feel up to this job. Its one of those that should take "half an hour at the most!" (and you could still be at it a week later)