Stripping down V8V wiper arms (removal of bearings)

[LPH]

Wan tot get my wiper arms powder coated to deal with a bit of corrosion. Got them of earlier and noticed the passenger side has 4 bearings in them mechanism. The heat used in powder coating won't be kind to these so I need to remove them.

Tried to press one out using 2 sockets and a vice. Seems you would press out from this side:




And it will come out from this side:



But it wasn't for shifting and I didn't want to damage it. I guess I might need a press - am I approaching this correctly?

Also I need to remove the smaller arms from the actual wiper arm. To do this I need to unscrew these so I can get the arms off and the bearings at this end out too:



These are not for moving wither and as the slots are wide and shallow I'm struggling to get something in there that doesn't slip and damage it.

Any tips for getting this into bits?

Cheers

[PatCub]

Looking at the pictures I would say the two little dimples are there to hold the bearing in place by slightly gripping and flaring over the housing. May need to remove the flare first or use a bit more force.

[LPH]

I did wonder about those. If this is the case then the 'flare' is very small as it's not really obvious to the naked eye. A normal press fit approach would have been much more sensible! Will have to take to my local place that have a press and see what can be done.

How have those who've had them powder coated dealt with this? I see references to powder coating the arms but no reference to removing bearings at all.

[bullet7]

When I had mine powder coated, I only had the arms themselves done and not the parts with the bearings in as they were in fine condition. Your option might be just to spray them yourself separately in satin black.

[LPH]

How did you get the smaller linkages off the arms? I can;t seem to shift the 'screws' that look like they are holding them on.

[bullet7]

They were certainly tight but the screws did come undone with careful grip in a vice!

[TR-Spider]

LPH said:

I would try to press the bearing out against the flat surface seen above, so the bearing should move towards the viewer.
Mainly because the opposite side's surface is conical and thus will squeeze to the inside when you put force to it.
Before pressing I would apply WD40 generously (as rust is visible on the bearing and may block movement) and gently warm the part (in case glue was involved in the first mounting).
Be aware that the tolerance of a press fit may not accept colour/powder coat on its surface for the re-fit.

[David W.]

Its often possible to press such items out with a couple of appropriate size sockets in a vice it it opens wide enough. You’ll need a second pair of hands to line everything up. Once bearing moves a little it may tap out.

[johnnyBv8]

If I were you I'd avoid messing round with the bearings - just flat them down with some wet & dry and then respray them with smooth satin paint - did this on my first Vantage and they lasted another 5 years with no signs of corrosion coming back.

[LPH]

Tried the socket trick the other night but no joy.

I'm pretty sure you'd have to press out the bearing away from this viewpoint. There is a big inner lip on this side



Anyone know how to remove the 2 link arms?

Cheers

[bullet7]

LPH said:

Anyone know how to remove the 2 link arms?

LPH, if you are simply talking about getting the two bits of the arm that have the two bearings in them, then it's simply a matter of undoing the two large headed screws you have shown in the picture. The do come out but require a little force. Hope I have understood your question properly.

[LPH]

Yep that's what I meant, cheers. However mine do not want to shift! They are starting to get chewed up as they are so stuck.

[LPH]

Yep that's what I meant, cheers. However mine do not want to shift! They are starting to get chewed up as they are so stuck.

[bullet7]

Difficult one. Could try the old freezer trick, although not always successful. Heat is possibly not good for the bearings. Doesn't look as though you can get the screws separately, unless available second hand. I can't remember whether penetrating oil/Plusgas is likely to reach down to the thread, but could be worth a try.

[LPH]

I have some Plusgas so might give that a go. I actually put them back on today as I need to use the car but will get them off soon and give it a go.

Cheers for the advice.

[8Tech]

Do you really need to remove them? Just mask them up or use a nut, bolt and a couple of washers the appropriate size to mask the bearing.

[LPH]

They might not really need removing but I 'need' to remove them as I'm awkward like that. If I do something I do it 'properly' even if that entails no end of pain

If I was painting them then I agree, I'd mask them but I really want to powder coat which means temps of up to 200 degrees and the bearings won't like that.

[8Tech]

My powder coater does an air dry polyurethane, maybe that could be the answer.

Hopefully the alloy on the wiper arm will not be like the alloy on the suspension arms where fracture of the alloy is common when replacing the supposedly unreplaceable bearings.