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Wiper door linkage spring

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Old May 23, 2014 | 11:19 AM
  #1  
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Default Wiper door linkage spring

Hey guys.

Anyone take apart their wiper door linkage where the actuator rod attaches? There is a spring in this location and appears to have a bushing so the main rod that runs the wiper door up and down is actually in two separate pieces and the spring appears to be a type of shock absorber so its not completely hard driven.

My problem is that the bushing where the two halves come together under the spring is really bound up. I can move it with wrenches but the vacuum can would have no chance of over coming this. So effectively the arm is locked together. I have tried lubing it but its just not working.

Has anyone had this apart to lube it up? I don't know how its held together? I have already rebuilt all the rivets and bushings for the ends. I don't want to mess with this if its going to break it. I am sure it will work fine without this "shock absorber spring thing" working but I would like to fix it if possible.

I just dont see how the halves of the rod will stay together if I separate this? Anyone have it apart and maybe have pictures of whats inside this area?
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Old May 23, 2014 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by mysixtynine
Hey guys.

Anyone take apart their wiper door linkage where the actuator rod attaches? There is a spring in this location and appears to have a bushing so the main rod that runs the wiper door up and down is actually in two separate pieces and the spring appears to be a type of shock absorber so its not completely hard driven.

My problem is that the bushing where the two halves come together under the spring is really bound up. I can move it with wrenches but the vacuum can would have no chance of over coming this. So effectively the arm is locked together. I have tried lubing it but its just not working.

Has anyone had this apart to lube it up? I don't know how its held together? I have already rebuilt all the rivets and bushings for the ends. I don't want to mess with this if its going to break it. I am sure it will work fine without this "shock absorber spring thing" working but I would like to fix it if possible.

I just dont see how the halves of the rod will stay together if I separate this? Anyone have it apart and maybe have pictures of whats inside this area?
Yes, I just went through this last year. Mine was seized solid, nearly twisted the shaft getting the arm to move. In my case I had to soak with penetrating oil, keep working back and forth until I could slide the sleeve up. Once I got the sleeve to slide up a ways I was able wire brush the rusted area, coat it with anti-seize. It now works quite freely, the spring doing its job as a tensioner.

I couldn't get the penetrating oil far enough under the sleeve without drilling a few holes in the sleeve. I inserted a screwdriver between the spring coils in three places,enough to push the coils far enough apart to slip a small drill between the coils. Drilled three holes, dropped penetrating oil in the holes, worked the sleeve loose. When the screwdriver is removed the coils snap back making it impossible to see the holes I drilled.

If yours is moving, you may have a chance just soaking with penetrating oil, keep working the arm back and forth while pulling up the shaft away from the stops until you slide is far enough to gain access to the rusted area.

Hope this helps.
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Old May 23, 2014 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by BBCorv70
Yes, I just went through this last year. Mine was seized solid, nearly twisted the shaft getting the arm to move. In my case I had to soak with penetrating oil, keep working back and forth until I could slide the sleeve up. Once I got the sleeve to slide up a ways I was able wire brush the rusted area, coat it with anti-seize. It now works quite freely, the spring doing its job as a tensioner.

I couldn't get the penetrating oil far enough under the sleeve without drilling a few holes in the sleeve. I inserted a screwdriver between the spring coils in three places,enough to push the coils far enough apart to slip a small drill between the coils. Drilled three holes, dropped penetrating oil in the holes, worked the sleeve loose. When the screwdriver is removed the coils snap back making it impossible to see the holes I drilled.

If yours is moving, you may have a chance just soaking with penetrating oil, keep working the arm back and forth while pulling up the shaft away from the stops until you slide is far enough to gain access to the rusted area.

Hope this helps.
Good to hear. I just could not figure out what I was missing and it took me hours to re-rivet this thing and replace the broken ends. I didnt want to undo that by jerking around with this thing too much.

Do you know it if come completely apart without breaking something inside under the spring area?
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Old May 23, 2014 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by mysixtynine
Good to hear. I just could not figure out what I was missing and it took me hours to re-rivet this thing and replace the broken ends. I didnt want to undo that by jerking around with this thing too much.

Do you know it if come completely apart without breaking something inside under the spring area?
I didn't take it completely apart, just worked the sleeve loose enough to slide it up the shaft, away from the stop. This allowed me to clean the shaft and coat with anti sieze. I happen to have that assy on my workbench right now. I could take a look, maybe take a photo showing the sleeve when slid up the shaft if I can move it that far without tearing up the paint.

That sleeve should rotate freely for it to do its job.
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Old May 23, 2014 | 09:25 PM
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I got it thanks. I realized it's just slid over the main shaft. I clamped the main shaft in the vice and use a hammer and punch to back it down the shaft and clean it up as you did. Works great now!! Thanks for info. I'll post a pick of mine when I can upload the pictures so others know what's under there. Thanks again.
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Old May 23, 2014 | 10:18 PM
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I have a similar problem. When you get this loosened up can you twist it by hand?
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Old May 24, 2014 | 08:52 AM
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I am just finishing up an electric wiper door conversion, and I just went through this as well. I did what you did, put it in a vice and tapped it back. Cleaned up where it normally sits, then used some marine grease to keep it operating. Works great now. I believe the spring's function is to put extra pressure on the door in the closed position; you adjust the linkage throw to pull the spring slightly when the door is in the closed position.

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Old May 24, 2014 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mysixtynine
I got it thanks. I realized it's just slid over the main shaft. I clamped the main shaft in the vice and use a hammer and punch to back it down the shaft and clean it up as you did. Works great now!! Thanks for info. I'll post a pick of mine when I can upload the pictures so others know what's under there. Thanks again.
Great, glad to hear it worked out.

Originally Posted by bellaireroad
I have a similar problem. When you get this loosened up can you twist it by hand?
Yes, the spring is meant to be a tensioner.

Originally Posted by 7t2vette
I believe the spring's function is to put extra pressure on the door in the closed position; you adjust the linkage throw to pull the spring slightly when the door is in the closed position.

Yup
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