Started cleaning up my wiper compartment this evening. Found both the driver and pass. sides covered in a tar like substance. This stuff is hard and comes off in chunks. I assume this area is prone to leakage so somebody tried to cure. The metal underneath is fine.
I would like to get the arms off that go from the wiper motor to the post (?) that the wiper arm attaches to. Can I get just this rod off or do I have to take the entire base off? The base appears to be held on by 3 nuts on studs and 4 sheet metal screws. I am concerned that I may not be able to get these off without breaking. My plan was to get the rod off and clean up the area and coat. Has anyone tried POR in this area? What coatings should I use?
On the passenger side there is a wire that runs through the compartment, goes under the screen and into the side of the body. Anybody know what this its?
Looks like there is one bracket for the wiper arms to rest on - is that correct?
I can find only two clips one each at the far sides of the windshield holding it up - is that all there is?
I know this is a lot of questions. I will be ordering the AIM shortly although I am not sure it would aswer the first part of this thread.
Thanks in advance for the help.
scott

 

The tar is the factory sealer. I'd use rubberized undercoating spread with a brush.
The wiper arms come off the splined shaft by, I think lifting or else pushing down, the clips under the arm at the spine shaft.
The transmission rods unbolt at the wiper motor ball connection and are part of the arm when removed. The 3 bolts and mount plate to the birdcage should be removed as well so you can make sure there's no rust. Once it's back together undercoat everything to seal it up. I spray undercoating directly on the brush to control where it goes in the tight areas to avoid lots of overspray.
Hope this helps.
Glenn

 

Very helpful, thanks. What are the other 4 sheet metal screw looking heads on the transmission arm mounting plate? What is the repair if I break one of the 3 studs? I do not plan to get overzealous but with the amount of tar I am wary of trying to remove the nuts from the studs.
scott

 

Scrape it all away from the nuts & threads. I had to do this to replace the left arm when I bought my 70. The nuts came right off. If you're worried about the studs breaking then put some PB blaster or liquid wrench on first to soak in for a while. Since these were coated pretty good from the factory, this should not be a problem.
Not sure what 4 sheet metal screws you're refering to.

 

On the same base plate there is 4 what appear to be sheet metal screw heads. They appear to be the same size as the nuts.
scott