Wiper Linkage Rebuild

Wiper Linkage Rebuild

By Dan Heil


With summer here, 510 maintenance tasks shift to things performance. Sticky summer tires go on, the longer, dry days give you time to swap in that new motor, thoughts of new paint cross your mind. Summer, however, is also the perfect opportunity to revitalize your windshield wiper assembly. This is not something to put off until the winter months when you need wipers!

The wiper assembly is often neglected, simply because it looks to be impossible to properly service. How do you clean and lubricate the inner linkages? Bluebirds list member, and DQ subscriber, Dan Heil has done it, and provided us with his notes.

Parts List

* WD-40 or other penetrating lubricant (Kroil, PB Blaster, etc.)
* 2 stainless c-clips used to secure the Connecting Rods to the Pivots. Take a clean shaft with you to ensure you buy the proper size c-clips.
* 6 stainless metric nuts, M5x0.8
* 6 stainless lock washers
* 6 stainless flat washers
* 4 stainless screws to replace the screws securing the cowl grill. #6 screws should work.
* 2 new wiper boots (Ebay or local store).

Removing the Wiper Assembly:

After 31+ years, most 510 wiper assemblies probably have multiple sticking problems. Curing these ills is much easier with the assembly out of the car on a flat working surface.

To remove the wiper arms, lift each Wiper Arm, then remove the arm fixing nuts. Lift off the wiper arms, then remove the link fixing nuts located beneath.

Use WD-40 and spray down the four screws holding the cowl grill, located on the forward edge of the cowl grill. Use an appropriately-sized Phillips screwdriver to avoid stripping the screws. You may need to use a lot of pressure if these screws have not been turned in a few years. Remove the screws and cowl grill.

Spray the six pivot screws that secure pivot 1 and 2 with WD-40. An 8mm socket or wrench is necessary to loosen and remove the pivot screws. Use caution when attempting to remove frozen screws – snapping one off will be a headache. Penetrating spray lubricant is your friend.

Remove the stop ring c-clip that fastens connecting rod 1 to the wiper motor. A small flat-blade screwdriver works well.

Remove the wiper assembly from the cowl. We have included a drawing of the assembly, however we recommend you make a quick sketch of the linkage and pivots yourself.

Disassembling the Linkage

Remove the c-clips where the connecting rods mount to the pivots. It is suggested that you replace these upon reassembly, so damage upon removal is okay.

The pivots have a small ring clip that holds the shafts in the pivot bodies. Carefully use a pair of small screwdrivers or something pointy and pry the ring off. The ring clips might bend, but try not to damage it as you slide it up and off the shaft.

Disassemble and clean everything thoroughly. There is a washer at the base of each shaft that might look like its part of the shaft, but they come off with help from a small knife blade.

Lubrication of the Linkage

NOTE: With the assembly out of the car, you may want to take this opportunity to paint the connecting rods and other exposed metal parts of the wiper assembly.

Grease the brass spherical pivots on the ends of the connecting rods. Pack grease into the hemispherical pivot area with the ball turned sideways.

Grease the pivot shafts thoroughly.

Reassembling the Wiper Linkage

Reassemble the pivots by placing the wavy spring washer on the pivot shaft then insert it into the pivot body. Slide the ring clip down the shaft until it snaps into place. You can pre-bend the ring clip slightly into a tighter circle, so it stays in place.

Reattach the connecting rods using the new c-clips. Fit the wiper linkage back in the cowl and remount the pivots using the new stainless washers and nuts. Thread on and tighten the link fixing nuts. Slide on the new wiper boots.

Reattach connecting rod 1 to the wiper motor drive arm. Install the cowl grill and reattach the wiper arms. You are done!