front wiper linkage shot

[perelaar]

The linkage of the front wipers on my 97 2.7TDI is shot, one of the link arms actually fell off the ball joint yesterday evening.

Any tips on repair, or replacement? I have to say, I tried to get the linkage to pop back on the balljoint, but it didn't work.
The axles the wiper stalks are bolted on are on the way out as well, so it might be better to just replace the entire thing?

 

[Blocky10]

My guess is Rick will be able to supply everything you need to replace. Postage would be the only issue though.

 

[perelaar]

It is not the first time I get parts from Rick

 

[elty001]

I fixed mine a good few years back when it did the same.
I warmed the plastic up where the ball joint for the linkage fits and re shaped it with some pliers.
Let it cool down and popped the ball joint back in and covered it with grease.
After a while it does start to judder but a good dose of 3 in 1 oil sorts it back out again :thumb2

 

[perelaar]

Hmppf - just put the cover back on , I tied the two links together with a loose zip tie.

So you heated the cup in which the ball pivots? Well worth a try in case my zip tie gives up.

 

[elty001]

Yeah was just a temp fix about 3 years ago :lol

 

[solarman216]

It is not the first time I get parts from Rick

If you can give me pics of the bits you need I will sort them out when I get back, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

Id like to see the plastic cups too. When I worked at Nissan dealers the plastic cups on some of the models could be replaced. We used to keep a selection in stock for winter time just as it snowed and people were too lazy to clear their windscreens and paid the price of turning the wipers on to clear the snow:nenau

Good luck

 

[perelaar]

For now, it holds together. We'll have a rainy week though, so if it fails again I'll be able to take pics when the plastic cover is off again.

 

[Banshee]

The linkage of the front wipers on my 97 2.7TDI is shot, one of the link arms actually fell off the ball joint yesterday evening.

Any tips on repair, or replacement? I have to say, I tried to get the linkage to pop back on the balljoint, but it didn't work.
The axles the wiper stalks are bolted on are on the way out as well, so it might be better to just replace the entire thing?

Perelaar my man!!!! I too have this job to complete soon as my drivers one is very loose and looks like it's going to come off very soon.

Can you take some pictures when you remove the scuttle panel below the windscreen :thumb2

 

[perelaar]

Just put it back on yesterday, sorry

But there's nothing to it, really. Take off wiper arms (taking care not to scrape the bonnet), remove center screw, pop out the studs on either side, and swear a bit to make the plastic scuttle come out.
Note:
- the scuttle and rubber strip are attached with studs to the metal below, make sure not to break any
- in addition to the studs on either side and the central screw the scuttle is held by two hidden studs from behind

You can get to the linkage by removing the two access panels under the scuttle. 4 screws for each, two of these were rusted on my T2. Managed to get them out with pliers, they were not very tight at all.
I managed to get everything out without damage, gave it a good clean and repainted the scuttle.
Repaired the linkage with a zip tie, let's see how long it holds...