Wiper Linkage Overhaul (1 Viewer)

[Heimdall 60]

@CuCruiser thanks a bunch for the photos, they help a ton

 

[fjgdk]

Doug's writeup is pretty comprehensive but here are some pictures if you want to get an idea of what's involved. Hope it helps!

Also, there are now a couple options out there from Wit's End and Trail-Tailor that make the full monty fix less attractive. I'd do it again myself though, because I like future-proof and also there's something wrong with me. Wasn't too difficult but there was some test fitting, fiddling and grinding needed to make it work perfectly.

The problem- bushings gone or loose:
View attachment 1841244
Mod is replacing the rod ends with heim joints:
View attachment 1841331
View attachment 1841345
Pivots are drilled/pressed out and replaced with shoulder bolts (welded in, heads cut off for passenger wiper pivots, as backs must be flush):
View attachment 1841348
as Doug also noted, you can't have this much sticking out above joint on motor pivot:
View attachment 1841350
It's somewhat forgiving of mistakes. Mine were wiping the hood on the first test run, for instance.

Thanks alot for the pics and drawing. Is it possible to get a drawing of the pivot points ?

 

[CuCruiser]

I'll see what I can do...

 

[CuCruiser]

OK folks, hope this is helpful! (Edit: Drill just far enough on first step to remove deformed part of pin.)

 

[fjgdk]

OK folks, hope this is helpful!
View attachment 1849302

What is meant by “swaged end” ?

 

[CuCruiser]

Edited drawing.
The pivot is pressed into its hole on the arm and then swaged (deformed) so it doesn't come out, sort of like a pop rivet but it stays fairly flush with the arm.

 

[Heimdall 60]

@CuCruiser thanks a ton. This is great, working on mine now.

 

[CuCruiser]

Awesome let us know how it comes out!

 

[SAFJ60]

Just finished up the Heim joint replacement.. Did 3 of the 4. I left the drivers side OEM joint in place. I used 5/16" heim joints from McMaster Carr. Hardest part was the position and lengths of the old joints. I thought I took good enough notes, but struggled getting it adjusted. Its near impossible to make any adjustments once installed.

 

[code 621]

Struggled! Understatement of the week.

 

[Spook50]

This setup just screams for a TIG welder for doing some cleaner, finer welding. I'm going to get a new Toyota linkage for now in case mine is boned, and if it's NOT bad, just save the new until it's needed. Once it is, I'll do the Heim mod on the old linkage and see how well I can dial it in. I have a case of Schaeffer's bearing grease which is low tack (ie: not high pressure) that's waterproof and should last a good long time in the pivots and will use silicon plumbing grease on the ball joints.

If only the plastic liners were able to be readily duplicated in delrin that'd solve the problem damn near permanently. IIRC it's Wit's End @NLXTACY who has a delrin liner for the pivot ball on the wiper motor arm, but due to the complexity of the parts wasn't able to duplicate the plastic liners for the other pivot points.

 

[Richfj60]

Can anyone tell me how to take the ball out of the linkage arm? I'd like to separate the arms but don't want to break anything. Are they just press out? I haven't wanted to destroy the boots that cover the joints. Thanks

 

[jpsfj60]

Doug's writeup is pretty comprehensive but here are some pictures if you want to get an idea of what's involved. Hope it helps!

Also, there are now a couple options out there from Wit's End and Trail-Tailor that make the full monty fix less attractive. I'd do it again myself though, because I like future-proof and also there's something wrong with me. Wasn't too difficult but there was some test fitting, fiddling and grinding needed to make it work perfectly.

The problem- bushings gone or loose:
View attachment 1841244
Mod is replacing the rod ends with heim joints:
View attachment 1841331
View attachment 1841345
Pivots are drilled/pressed out and replaced with shoulder bolts (welded in, heads cut off for passenger wiper pivots, as backs must be flush):
View attachment 1841348
as Doug also noted, you can't have this much sticking out above joint on motor pivot:
View attachment 1841350
It's somewhat forgiving of mistakes. Mine were wiping the hood on the first test run, for instance.

This setup just screams for a TIG welder for doing some cleaner, finer welding. I'm going to get a new Toyota linkage for now in case mine is boned, and if it's NOT bad, just save the new until it's needed. Once it is, I'll do the Heim mod on the old linkage and see how well I can dial it in. I have a case of Schaeffer's bearing grease which is low tack (ie: not high pressure) that's waterproof and should last a good long time in the pivots and will use silicon plumbing grease on the ball joints.

If only the plastic liners were able to be readily duplicated in delrin that'd solve the problem damn near permanently. IIRC it's Wit's End @NLXTACY who has a delrin liner for the pivot ball on the wiper motor arm, but due to the complexity of the parts wasn't able to duplicate the plastic liners for the other pivot points.

Was wondering if you can still get new Toyota wiper linkage and where is it available at?

 

[Richfj60]

Was wondering if you can still get new Toyota wiper linkage and where is it available at?

It didn’t look like it was still available. I checked a couple sites.

 

[jpsfj60]

It didn’t look like it was still available. I checked a couple sites.

Did you ever get yours upgrade and working right?

 

[Richfj60]

Did you ever get yours upgrade and working right?

I just started. I need some advice separating the ball joints.

 

[jpsfj60]

Agree with Spike, with the wire snap ring and top washer fitting snugly around the shaft, it would be difficult to much lube around the shaft. What's more, the old nasty lube is what is binding up the rotation.

I added a note to my original post about possibly using a regular snap ring instead of the wire type. If this can be used, maintenance would be easy - Pull the wiper arm, remove rubber cover, remove snap ring, remove firewall inspection plates, push the shaft into the cowl, clean, lube reassemble. Would be a 10 minute project.

I'm going to try to find a regular snap ring before I finish my wiper job.

Doug
Can I pull my wiper linkage off and send it to you for you to upgrade?
Let me know. Of course I will make it worth your wild!

 

[jpsfj60]

I just started. I need some advice separating the ball joints.

I believe you have to Drill them to separate.

 

[Richfj60]

I believe you have to Drill them to separate.

I want to pull them apart first.

 

[Beehanger]

I made a simple video showing how to repalce the bushing (slop)

This is how to use a CHEAP napa part for middle part of the linkage (higher level of difficulty) https://youtu.be/VAi9tAgjaf4