Wiper linkage refurbishment

[jgerock]

No searches done yet... I'm attempting to explain how easy it is to replace the wiper linkage parts. This is easier if your heater box is removed first (as in my case). My old assembly worked OK, but the pivots were rusty and the rod bushings were sloppy. Almost all of the parts can be purchased new except for the (2) serrated washers on the pivots.

I purchased most of my parts from www.parts.com - here is my list:

# 61618444100 Center crank (connects the two drive rods to the motor) $ 43.47

# 61618444105 Left pivot (wiper support) $ 36.19

# 61618444109 Right pivot (wiper support) $ 40.37

# 61618444119 Long drive rod $ 62.63

# 61618444115 Short drive rod $ 60.89

# 61611353754 (2) Damper rings that fit in the holes for the pivots below the windshield @ $ 0.96 each

I'm waiting on some additional hardware purchased from Maximillian, so I'll update this posting later.

[worzella]

Jim,

Very timely... I was thinking about this as a nice "indoor" project. One question... it looks like the long and short drive rods you listed come with the

rubber rod bushings. I don't see them listed as a distinct part on Max, so I just wanted to double check.

# 61618444119 Long drive rod $ 62.63

# 61618444115 Short drive rod $ 60.89

Thanks !

[jgerock]

You are correct Sir. The bushings come pre-installed on the rods and are not listed as separate parts.

[worzella]

Well, I could not resist and pulled my wiper linkage off the shelf tonight and tore it down to all its pieces. My bushings seem in pretty good shape, as do the other pieces, so I think I am going to just clean them all up, POR/paint the works and re-assemble.

Toughest part about the breakdown was figuring how to pull the "balls" out of their "sockets"... the pivots, etc., out of the plastic bushes. After poking and staring for a while (another cold beer), I ended up doing the following, which worked pretty well:

> Push pivot all the way one direction

> Place a solid metal object (e.g. - screwdriver shaft) between drive arm and pivot base

> Then push pivot back in the opposite direction

The screwdriver shaft wedged between the pivot base and drive arm prevented any movement, and this forced the ball socket out of the plastic bush.

Maybe this description would be helpful in your writeup... assuming it made any sense at all.

I anxiously await your writeup so I can assemble my unit correctly with proper lube, etc..

Thanks !

[worzella]

Well, I could not resist and pulled my wiper linkage off the shelf tonight and tore it down to all its pieces. My bushings seem in pretty good shape, as do the other pieces, so I think I am going to just clean them all up, POR/paint the works and re-assemble.

Toughest part about the breakdown was figuring how to pull the "balls" out of their "sockets"... the pivots, etc., out of the plastic bushes. After poking and staring for a while (another cold beer), I ended up doing the following, which worked pretty well:

> Push pivot all the way one direction

> Place a solid metal object (e.g. - screwdriver shaft) between drive arm and pivot base

> Then push pivot back in the opposite direction

The screwdriver shaft wedged between the pivot base and drive arm prevented any movement, and this forced the ball socket out of the plastic bush.

Maybe this description would be helpful in your writeup... assuming it made any sense at all.

I anxiously await your writeup so I can assemble my unit correctly with proper lube, etc..

Thanks !

[jgerock]

I'll work on the wipers this weekend (along with my heater box). The daily drivers need my scrubbing due to all the nasty salt and snow.

I pried off my linkage rods from the pivots using the same "rotate and pry" method. You have to be very careful installing the new arms on the pivots. I used the wheel bearing grease on the pivots and popped the arms on the pivots with a rubber mallet and socket placed below for support.

[ozgeorge]

just out of curiosity. how did you find parts on parts.com??

i select classic vehicles but it doesn't seem to work. is this a mac thing?

[jgerock]

You have to physically type in the BMW part numbers for the website to "search" for the applications. The site is strange, but worth it to save money. I also purchased a new antenna for my car by typing in the part number from Max's site.

[shipm_8]

Thank you for the write up, Jim. Wiper linkage is one of my projects, after I am done wrestling with the doors.

Thank you also for the parts.com lead. Here is another option, as you do comparison-shopping: bmwautopartsdealer.com. Just bumped into them a few weeks ago as I was pricing some parts.

William

[jmr_1602]

While researching parts to fix a problem with my right pivot I found this old thread. In 2009, jgerock paid $40.37 (61618444109 Right pivot) today that same part costs $222.09! 

 

 

[jgerock]

2 hours ago, jmr_1602 said:

While researching parts to fix a problem with my right pivot I found this old thread. In 2009, jgerock paid $40.37 (61618444109 Right pivot) today that same part costs $222.09! 

 

 

Where did you look?  I redid all the arms and pivots on my 69 using parts from Walloth Nesch. Prices were higher than in 2009 but not that bad. As Frank Fritz says "do a bundle" to save money (on freight). 

[ray_]

On sale here!

 

http://www.bmwpartswarehouse.com/BMW-OEM-Part-Number-61618444109-p/61618444109.htm

 

Jason, does that pull right off? I may be able to get one from a parts car here...

 

Cheers,

[jmr_1602]

That's a killer sales price Ray! [emoji38]

That part does pull right off.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jgerock]

But if it pulls off easily, the wiper arm may do so as well.

[ray_]

I know, right?

 

Noted, Jim....

 

Ok, I'll try and snag a couple if I manage to get around to it this week.

 

Cheers,