Wiper linkage bushings (1 Viewer)

[freepowder]

My redneck wiper bushing fix has failed in a mere 2-3 years.
(Diagram below)

It needs a more durable material for the bushing. So. . .

Pulled it all out which I didn't last time, lots easier to work on out of the car.
The rubber (?) boots on the wiper stems failed, will likely replace them with spark plug boots.
The plastic covers of the wiper stem mounts evaporated. Probably won't replace them.

Several things happen now:
I'm going to rig the stock linkage to work.
I'm going to take measurements and see if Ican build the linkage from scratch.
I might buy one out of the junkyard upon which to perform my evil experiments.
I'm going to attempt to replace the wiper arms with some that have shepherd hooks.

Things that might be involved:
Skateboard bearings.
Spherical rod ends/heim joints.
Rod stock.
PFM*

Watch this space.

The Redneck Fix:

*PFM = Pure F**king Magic.

 

[freepowder]

Update!!

After chasing around for a while I ended up at BC Fabrication in Bayfield, Colorado (320 Mountain View Dr, Bayfield, CO 81122
970-884-4400)where they are mashing and cutting and stuff to attach a spherical rod end (AKA heim joint, ball joint) on the motor end of the linkage. The other joints were intact. I'll be measuring and whatnot and coming up with a prototype full replacement using all heim joints. Maybe. Should be done by Tuesday at the latest. I'll take pics.

No joy on the wiper arms but I didn't look all that hard.

 

[Godwin]

It's been posted that later 4Runner wiper arms are a direct fit. I don't recall what year(s) 4Runner arms were used.

 

[freepowder]

I've heard that. I have a list for CruiserDan to which those are added. They'll join the door window felts which he also has.
I was gonna run by the junkyard and get some but then realized I already have used wiper arms and I really want new.

 

[freepowder]

Update!!

Got it back from BC Fabrication and it looks like this, haven't mounted it yet 'cause it's raining.
I also got materials to build new rods with heim joints all around. The bad news is it looks like the only way to mount them will be to drill out the ball stud rivets in the plates that attach to the pivots. That unless I can find pivots independent of the whole linkage. Still not that big a deal for lifetime wiper linkage. . . or is it?

 

[freepowder]

Update. Dammit.

Got it all installed and the wiper sweep wasn't enough so I went in to adjust the heim. Did so, went too far, pulled the motor again to readjust and the whole passenger side came out--the middle bushing had cratered.

So, before I'd mounted the modified stocker I made some new rods with heims and rod stock, bent to match the stocker. I'll drill out the ball studs on the pivot arms tomorrow and try again.

If it works, I may offer the whole thing as a kit. Or not.

 

[freepowder]

Sorted. Built the whole thing from scratch.

Photo by Freepowder

 

[freepowder]

Photobucket sucks. $400 a year to share? I don't think so.

 

[Rube]

@freepowder ,do you have any photos of what you eventually came up with?

 

[freepowder]

Two tricks to it:
1. bend the rod to match the stock tubes. Make sure lengths are the same.
2. The head on the bolt on the crank will drag on the the motor housing. Grind it down to about 1/8" or so, check as you grind.
Ok, three tricks:
3. Mark the position of the crank on the housing and make sure it's in the same place when you put it back on.

You'll have to drill out the wiper mount thingies and the crank.


Photo by Freepowder
Photo by Freepowder
Photo by Freepowder

 

[freepowder]

I'm hoping to make a jig and build a few of these.
But then, they call me. . . the great. . . procastinator. . .

 

[Spook50]

Keep us updated. My linkage has already gotten repaired once. Still works but there is still some slop. I had been intending to order a whole new linkage from Toyota and use 4Runner wiper arms, but if you end up selling this, I'd go this route just to have something that'll stay tight and run smoothly.

 

[freepowder]

No worries. I've some other irons in the fire just now and my wipers are working great <bwahahahahahah!> so it may be a while.
If you have the originals it's not that hard to build some new, I think the instructions are in this thread somewhere.