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Wiper linkage rebuild

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  • Wiper linkage rebuild

    Decided to rebuild my wiper linkage as the wipers have always been a bit slow and after I fixed the temperamental stalk switch I wanted the wipers running like new.

    First off remove the wipers. Pop the black cap off the bottom of the arm with a small screwdriver.




    Hold the wiper arm steady and undo the 13mm nut holding the arm on.




    Remove the wipers by taking the spring tension off the arm and pulling them up. These can be stubborn, DO NOT twist them or you will strip the splines. Try some GT85 or similar, or you can try using a small puller. Mine came off easy.

    Now remove the rain tray. Release the clips with a quarter turn and peel back the bulkhead seal.




    To make access easier remove the fuse box cover by opening it and then sliding it to the right to unclip the hinge lugs. On the 7A I had to remove the injector resistor, obviously not an issue on the S2.




    Remove the loom plug. it just pulls out there are no clips etc holding it in.

    To get the linkage out you need to release the drive from the motor to move the arms out of the way. Take note of the angle that the drive arm sits at, we need to get that on the same spline next time. Undo the 13mm nut and pop the drive arm off the motor shaft. You can use a small pry bar to help if needed. Once that is off you can move the arms into a suitable position to get it out.




    Remove the mounting bolts (10mm spanner)
    Now you can wriggle the linkage out and get it on the bench to get started.
    After a quick clean mine looked in really great condition considering its now 23 years old!




    Remove the circlips from the spindles, and put to one side, along with the spacer washer underneath.




    Tap the spindle out and recover the spring washer and shim from the bottom of the spindle.





    Back to the housing there is an o-ring on the top of the bore in the linkage, pick that out and put it to one side with the other bits.





    Now give everything a real good clean, I used thinners and carb cleaner which is awesome. I noticed a bit of the plating coming off one of my spindles, but it was working ok so should be fine for a few more years.





    Onto the motor itself. Undo the mounting bolts (10mm spanner) and remove it from the linkage.





    Prise off the retaining clip on the gear shaft. Use a small pick or screwdriver. Try to avoid bending the tabs up any more than necessary. Stabbing yourself in the finger three times like I did is also inadvisable.





    Remove the plastic backplate from the motor and bend it out of the way.
    Inside you will probably find some pretty gnarly grease, all waxy and very sticky. This is the gunk that makes the motor run slow. Clean it all out, strong solvents and an old toothbrush work well.









    Once its all clean its time to regrease and put it back together. I used some MIL spec waterproof marine grease I "found" at work, but any good grease will do. Pop the drive gear back in.






    On the contact plate I used some electrical contact grease. Pop the top back on the housing.




    Refit the spring clip that retains the gear shaft on the motor. Flatten it out slightly to remove any bending from earlier. Use some washers and a nut to pull the shaft tight and press the clip home - only needs to be finger tight you will hear it click into place,




    Re-bolt the motor to the linkage.

    Grease up the spindles and refit the spring washers and shims. Slide the spindles into their bores and refit the o-ring and washer. Secure it all with the circlips.






    Re-grease the ball joints on the linkage arms and its ready to refit!
    Refit the linkage back into position on the car. Plug the loom into the motor and flick the wiper switch to cycle the motor to its stop position. Now taking note of the alignment to the motor shaft when removed, refit the drive arm to the shaft.

    In Haynes style, refit everything and have a brew or a beer and admire your new speedy wipers.
    Last edited by Error404; 4 November 2018, 10:11.
    Panthero Coupé quattro 20vt
    Indigo ABY coupé
    Imola B6 S4 Avant

  • #2
    I have a feeling they may be even better soon
    sigpic

    1992 3b S2 Coupe

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    • #3
      Wiper linkage rebuild

      Nice one Alex - This is a job that needs doing on my old passat
      Audi S2 Coupe 1995
      VW Passat GL5 (hatch) 1986
      VW Passat GL 1.8 (saloon) 1986
      Carrera Subway 8

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by s2driveruk View Post
        I have a feeling they may be even better soon

        hehe yes I'm looking forward to that package
        Panthero Coupé quattro 20vt
        Indigo ABY coupé
        Imola B6 S4 Avant

        Comment


        • #5
          you'll be pleased you have got the motor optimised...
          sigpic

          1992 3b S2 Coupe

          Comment


          • #6
            Nice write up
            Current-2004 Impreza PPP wagon

            Sold-92 3B coupe-RS2+, 996s, konis, rear torsen, forged rods........
            Sold ABY-stock

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            • #7
              wheres your shiney strut brace from ?
              NOT a car dealer! just an S2/RS2 enthusiast

              Comment


              • #8
                custom - got it off another member
                Panthero Coupé quattro 20vt
                Indigo ABY coupé
                Imola B6 S4 Avant

                Comment


                • #9
                  Good work!

                  S2 Coupe 3B Project


                  Ur quattro restoration

                  S2 Avant

                  Boost is the new rock and roll!
                  sigpic

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Just reading this post, however, the issue I have is the drivers wiper sometime catches on the windscreen surround - I have tightened down the arm, but I think I will need to replace the spindles and possibly the arms as well. I'm not sure if a good clean will fix it as both the arm and spindles look quite worn. Is it possible to buy new spindles without having to get the whole wiper linkage ? If so, where can I get them from ?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      sounds like you put the wiper arm back on the wrong spline. You can remove the arm and try putting it on one spline further round if that makes sense?
                      Panthero Coupé quattro 20vt
                      Indigo ABY coupé
                      Imola B6 S4 Avant

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I tried moving it round a spline at a time but it still seems to catch the windscreen edge. The spindle is not loose, so the only thing I can think of is worn spindle/wiper arm. I will try and clean up the spindle spline and the wiper arm splines first, but I think I will need to replace them.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Jaydee View Post
                          I tried moving it round a spline at a time but it still seems to catch the windscreen edge. The spindle is not loose, so the only thing I can think of is worn spindle/wiper arm. I will try and clean up the spindle spline and the wiper arm splines first, but I think I will need to replace them.
                          Are the wiper blades the correct size? The blades on mine were too long when I bought it
                          Audi S2 Coupe 1995
                          VW Passat GL5 (hatch) 1986
                          VW Passat GL 1.8 (saloon) 1986
                          Carrera Subway 8

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Nice Sticky. Thanks for sharing.

                            In the first post, you may decide to edit it to include the point that only the appropriately sized coin should be used to quarter turn the tabs that hold the black plastic shroud in place, as a screwdriver will make a nasty lasting mess of the four tabs.

                            Did the wiper spindles on my Mk 1 Golf about fifteen years ago, and the wiper speed was like a brand new car.

                            Have a spare B4 wiper linkage and motor in the garage to allow me to fit a pre-done one, but that was three years ago, now still resting in the garage somewhere.

                            B4s are no longer in any breakers over here, if one appears it's now a big deal.




                            Last edited by macspring; 5 May 2013, 17:09.

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                            • #15
                              Cheers for this!

                              After doing my rear wiper I realised how slow my front ones were, so have now rebuilt the front, lots better
                              Last edited by Bowie69; 20 March 2014, 10:11.

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