wiper drains and leaky spindles.
I was having a good old rummage under the bonnet this lunchtime at work, when I got chatting with a mechanic friend. I mentioned that I had replaced the wiper spindles, and that it wasnt a fantastic design to have the water catching dimples beneath the spindles.
He suggested on my project truck I put small drain holes in the "dimples" and run a thin metal pipe through the bulkhead to drain any collected water away.
Does anyone think this is a good idea? or is there any technical reason why it wouldnt work?
Pretty sure that the bulkhead/firewall is very thick and strong. The amount of work required to do a tidy job would be immense? IMO this modification would encourage rust to start in areas not usually asociated with corrosion?
Pretty sure that the spindles don't corrode as a result of laying in water. They wear and allow water to leak into the vehicle via excessive clearance?
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Regards
Peter
IMO this modification would encourage rust to start in areas not usually asociated with corrosion?
Pretty sure that the spindles don't corrode as a result of laying in water. They wear and allow water to leak into the vehicle via excessive clearance?
You're right Peter. Couldn't agree more with you.
you can get a new spindle kit with seals for about 25quid, would you be arsed with all the work?
Just replaced two spindles on my 463....... Really easy, took about 1.5 hours.
The only problem I encountered was one spindle securing nut was seized and just turning the whole assembly. Had to cut it off.
Kind Regards
Peter
Just replaced two spindles on my 463....... Really easy, took about 1.5 hours.
The only problem I encountered was one spindle securing nut was seized and just turning the whole assembly. Had to cut it off.
Kind Regards
Peter
was this with the dash all ready removed?
Quote:IMO this modification would encourage rust to start in areas not usually asociated with corrosion?
Pretty sure that the spindles don't corrode as a result of laying in water. They wear and allow water to leak into the vehicle via excessive clearance?
You're right Peter. Couldn't agree more with you.
Ditto. What I suggest to do instead either if you have fitted new spindles or if yours are still in good condition is to get hold of the new plastic caps which cover the nut holding the spindle, remove the wiper arms and smear generously vaseline on and around the nut and then fit the new plastic covers and wiper arms. This will keep the water away from the spindle assembly.
Hot66,
Yup, instrument binnacle removed as was glove box interior. Dropped the fusebox aswell to aid field of view.
Regards
Peter
:roll:
If you are sure that it is the spindles are leaking, then, you are far better to replace them rather than try to attach some drainage to the system. That will be like curing the sympthom rather than address the illness.
Whilst, the wipers are operating, (ohh, the covers previously removed) check to see that the spindle does infact rotate freely in the spindle bearing. You do not want the spindle to be rotating the whole body as the case may be in seized spindles. With the whole body turning, it tends to scrap the paint work damaging a fibre type washer/seal allowing water in ingress under wet conditions.
:lol:
Pour water liberally if need to prove the point. If the leak has been going on for a period of time, it will be possible to pick up on tell-tale signs of water leakage left behind in trail of dried wash, maybe slightly brown or rusty. If the leak comes from the wiper spindles, most certainly water will collect in the centre consol surrounding the transmission tunnel.
If water collects on the footwells, then the leak could be from elsewhere i.e. windscreen corners or base seal. Possibly, blockage of drain plugs in the vent intake?
mercfan wrote:Quote:IMO this modification would encourage rust to start in areas not usually asociated with corrosion?
Pretty sure that the spindles don't corrode as a result of laying in water. They wear and allow water to leak into the vehicle via excessive clearance?
You're right Peter. Couldn't agree more with you.
Ditto. What I suggest to do instead either if you have fitted new spindles or if yours are still in good condition is to get hold of the new plastic caps which cover the nut holding the spindle, remove the wiper arms and smear generously vaseline on and around the nut and then fit the new plastic covers and wiper arms. This will keep the water away from the spindle assembly.
I decided to lead by example. I did this preventative job four years ago when I bought my G and decided today the state of the spindles. As you can see by the pictures, there was still some grease inside the plastic cap and around the spindle and the nut holding it. I cleaned the old grease and smeared with white lithium grease. Good for a few years....
If you need new plastic caps, the P/N is A0008243572 and they cost € 0.73 each
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