Wiper door pivot mechanisms
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 12
From: Schaumburg (Chicago) Illinois
Wiper door pivot mechanisms
I am contemplating rebuilding my wiper door mechanisms. Looks like it only cost $50 for bushings and rivets. BUT I would need either:
To buy the $50 rivet setting tool
Someone advise of a cheap tool
Set them myself with some sort of method or handmade tool that I can get from the forum.
Or maybe rebuilding them is overkill. Maybe most times a good lube job is all it needs. I don't see anything wrong with them. They are a little stiff but again maybe just some grease.
What do you guys think?
To buy the $50 rivet setting tool
Someone advise of a cheap tool
Set them myself with some sort of method or handmade tool that I can get from the forum.
Or maybe rebuilding them is overkill. Maybe most times a good lube job is all it needs. I don't see anything wrong with them. They are a little stiff but again maybe just some grease.
What do you guys think?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
What's wrong with the factory rivets? That door gets very little use and the rivets/arms shouldn't be worn, if the plastic bushings have been installed. My car has over 200K miles and those parts are fine.
If they aren't damaged, you will do more harm than good by 'attempting' to replace them. But, if they are damaged/worn out, make sure you understand how that system works and try to put it all back together exactly like it is.
Warning: Be very careful when removing the four shouldered bolts at the ends of the door. Those are VERY weak and WILL SHEAR OFF if you don't soak them for a couple of days with good penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench; NOT WD-40 (not designed as a penetrant/rust cutter). Even then, you need to twist gently on them to get them started. Be sure to replace those bolts and the bushings also.
If one, or more, of those bolts shear off, you can lose the integrity of that whole wiper door actuating system by trying to drill the shank out and re-tap that thread. It MUST be drilled/tapped in exactly the same alignment as the original thread or the door will bind up when in operation.
If they aren't damaged, you will do more harm than good by 'attempting' to replace them. But, if they are damaged/worn out, make sure you understand how that system works and try to put it all back together exactly like it is.
Warning: Be very careful when removing the four shouldered bolts at the ends of the door. Those are VERY weak and WILL SHEAR OFF if you don't soak them for a couple of days with good penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench; NOT WD-40 (not designed as a penetrant/rust cutter). Even then, you need to twist gently on them to get them started. Be sure to replace those bolts and the bushings also.
If one, or more, of those bolts shear off, you can lose the integrity of that whole wiper door actuating system by trying to drill the shank out and re-tap that thread. It MUST be drilled/tapped in exactly the same alignment as the original thread or the door will bind up when in operation.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi AW,
I agree with 7T1 that replacing the pivot rivets is really not necessary.
I think you could spend a good deal of time cleaning and lubing each pivot point, and still have far less time in the job than if you started replacing them.
I also agree with his point about taking ultra care with the screws that mount the mechanism to the wiper door. VERY fragile!!!!! The way the screws are shaped they're just begging to be twisted off.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I agree with 7T1 that replacing the pivot rivets is really not necessary.
I think you could spend a good deal of time cleaning and lubing each pivot point, and still have far less time in the job than if you started replacing them.
I also agree with his point about taking ultra care with the screws that mount the mechanism to the wiper door. VERY fragile!!!!! The way the screws are shaped they're just begging to be twisted off.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
