1969 wiper door
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Joined: Sep 2018
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1969 wiper door
Hi guys my wiper door has been stuck up for over 20 yrs I figured it was time to fix. I figured out the linkage is frozen I’ve been spraying with lube for over a week I can’t free it up. I’ve disconnected everything to remove from car except the vacuum canister rod as the nuts are hidden inside the firewall due to the door being in the open position. I really don’t want to drill out the rivet on the linkage (bubba) how can I remove the rod? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Instructor
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From: Maple Valley WA
Hi guys my wiper door has been stuck up for over 20 yrs I figured it was time to fix. I figured out the linkage is frozen I’ve been spraying with lube for over a week I can’t free it up. I’ve disconnected everything to remove from car except the vacuum canister rod as the nuts are hidden inside the firewall due to the door being in the open position. I really don’t want to drill out the rivet on the linkage (bubba) how can I remove the rod? Any ideas would be appreciated.
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From: Charlotte NC
Chances are that the vacuum canister is bad due to the early design canisters are crap and fail. You can easily test it to make sure it is good or bad by seeing that when you apply vacuum on either one of the two ports on the canister. IF you have vacuum on the other open port. IF it is bad ...then cut the rod due to you can not rebuild those canisters.
Even with the door up...there should still be enough room to hold onto the long nut and loosen the small jamb nut and unthread the canister.
DUB
Even with the door up...there should still be enough room to hold onto the long nut and loosen the small jamb nut and unthread the canister.
DUB
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Well I just bought a vacuum tester. Going to check the canister later. There is definitely no room to get to either nut holding the rod together they are both deep in the firewall. Doesn’t make sense to not be able to reach them it’s almost like someone put it together wrong. But what do I know if I knew I would have had it apart already.
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Well my vacuum tester claims both sides of my actuator don’t hold vacuum. Now that I have taken the bolts off the mounting bracket I have better access to the nut going to try and remove it. Hopefully goes well and I can get this frozen linkage out. Also I’m going to vacuum test all other parts might as well order everything needed in one shot.
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Thread Starter
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I have a stupid question. Am I supposed to cover the other port with my thumb when I check the vacuum? If I do this both sides hold vacuum on the actuator. Also I got it off finally and I got the linkage out a victory on the night. Now I just have to free it all up.
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From: Charlotte NC
Glad to read your got the pod off.
With the pod off. COVER ONE PORT ( preferably the port on the side of the shaft) with your finger and try to move the shaft of the pod itself,. IF the shaft can move in and out .EASILY without great resistance.....THEN the pod is bad due to the inner seal in the pod is not sealing.
DUB
With the pod off. COVER ONE PORT ( preferably the port on the side of the shaft) with your finger and try to move the shaft of the pod itself,. IF the shaft can move in and out .EASILY without great resistance.....THEN the pod is bad due to the inner seal in the pod is not sealing.
DUB
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From: Charlotte NC
Keep in mind that even if you put a new pod on or change it over to the later design pod.... which can be done. There are more than likely other problems in the vacuum system to not make it work once you get the wiper door assembly freed up.
Hopefully you are removing the wiper door assembly from the car to get it to free up which I think that is what your plan is....which is a WISE MOVE.
IF you go to remove the four bolts that hold the wiper door to the frame. JUST BE CAREFUL due to they can snap off very easily.
DUB
Hopefully you are removing the wiper door assembly from the car to get it to free up which I think that is what your plan is....which is a WISE MOVE.
IF you go to remove the four bolts that hold the wiper door to the frame. JUST BE CAREFUL due to they can snap off very easily.
DUB
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Ok I know it’s been a while but I got the linkage out and freed up. I did break one bolt when I was removing the wiper door so I took it to a local Vette shop and the heli coiled it. They also checked my vacuum canister and actuator that bolts onto the inner fender and they checked out ok. I replaced the safety switch at the wiper arm as it was broken. The limit switch seems to be ok on the firewall as it lets the wipers work when I push it with my finger. I put it all back together today and the wiper door doesn’t work. The wipers work if I have the door in the open position. What is my next step.
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manually apply engine vacuum directly to the cannistor, if it works you have vacuum control problem. probable Wiper solenoid problem.
If it does not open with engine vacuum, you have mechanical issues in the mechanical hinge parts.
Note a hand pump will not provide enough capacity, to make the door Assembly function correctly.
If it does not open with engine vacuum, you have mechanical issues in the mechanical hinge parts.
Note a hand pump will not provide enough capacity, to make the door Assembly function correctly.
Last edited by 69Vett; Dec 13, 2018 at 03:45 PM.
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I manually applied vacuum and the door works one way only so I suspect the canister is bad. When I put the proper hoses back on the switch will not open the door only direct vacuum. The door will close with direct vacuum when I very gently help it by hand but not on its own.
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Take a good look at your actuator. Attached is a pic of mine .... the thread has my story too in case you want to read it.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593489391
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593489391
I manually applied vacuum and the door works one way only so I suspect the canister is bad. When I put the proper hoses back on the switch will not open the door only direct vacuum. The door will close with direct vacuum when I very gently help it by hand but not on its own.
Last edited by carriljc; Dec 12, 2018 at 09:50 AM.