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1978 Mercedes 300D Wiper Issue

MBony

MBony

Platinum Member
I've got a Mercedes 300D and for some reason one of the wipers (the driver's side, yay! :thumbsdown🙂 has quit working. It feels really loose in the joint attached to the car. Could it have fallen out of a joint that I cannot see or is it broken?
 
There's probably a bolt or retaining clip that got loose that connects the wiper to the wiper motor or some kind of assembly that attaches the end to the motor in indirect fashion (like a rod that slides left and right, perhaps). Designs vary widely, but if you want some better info/advice, take a few pics and post them, can probably get direct info on how to go about fixing it.
 
Thanks Arkaign, I will try to get photos up. I will also note that I am able to manually move the wipers in the manner they would normally run with my hand with little to no resistance. If I can find someone at work to hook me up with a digicam I'll take some pix and maybe even video.
 
Originally posted by: MBony
Thanks Arkaign, I will try to get photos up. I will also note that I am able to manually move the wipers in the manner they would normally run with my hand with little to no resistance. If I can find someone at work to hook me up with a digicam I'll take some pix and maybe even video.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
On our old 92 Stanza or maybe it was our 87 Accord the motor was no longer connected to teh wiper and you could hear it clicking as it tried to move the wiper.

was only able to move it about an inch or so before it dropped again
 
Nice car! It looks like you'll have to take apart the wiper mounting assembly to get a look at the problem. My first best guess is some piece of retaining/connecting hardware is loose.
 
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Nice car! It looks like you'll have to take apart the wiper mounting assembly to get a look at the problem. My first best guess is some piece of retaining/connecting hardware is loose.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Have you ever disassembled on of them before? If so, how hard do you think it'll be? I'm wondering if I'll need to go by a hardware store for any tools.
 
Originally posted by: MBony
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Nice car! It looks like you'll have to take apart the wiper mounting assembly to get a look at the problem. My first best guess is some piece of retaining/connecting hardware is loose.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Have you ever disassembled on of them before? If so, how hard do you think it'll be? I'm wondering if I'll need to go by a hardware store for any tools.
Click to expand...

You might want to ask a 'handy' friend for help. No offense, but with a vehicle like that if you break something taking it apart you'll have a hard time fixing it. It might just be a linkage with a clip that came off but if you break a housing trying to get it off the original problem will be the least of your worries.

 
Originally posted by: Deviant Grasshopper
Originally posted by: MBony
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Nice car! It looks like you'll have to take apart the wiper mounting assembly to get a look at the problem. My first best guess is some piece of retaining/connecting hardware is loose.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Have you ever disassembled on of them before? If so, how hard do you think it'll be? I'm wondering if I'll need to go by a hardware store for any tools.
Click to expand...

You might want to ask a 'handy' friend for help. No offense, but with a vehicle like that if you break something taking it apart you'll have a hard time fixing it. It might just be a linkage with a clip that came off but if you break a housing trying to get it off the original problem will be the least of your worries.
Click to expand...

What area do you live in? It might be worth dropping by an import repair specialist, in my area (Dallas), there are a few shops that specialize in older classic autos from BMW/Mercedes/Volvo, etc, that are familiar with some of these designs, and often will offer friendly advice. Giving good customer service like this makes it more likely that you will use them for any significant future work requiring a specialist (rebuild motor/tranny, wiring harness, rust on frame, etc).
 
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Originally posted by: Deviant Grasshopper
Originally posted by: MBony
Originally posted by: Arkaign
Nice car! It looks like you'll have to take apart the wiper mounting assembly to get a look at the problem. My first best guess is some piece of retaining/connecting hardware is loose.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Have you ever disassembled on of them before? If so, how hard do you think it'll be? I'm wondering if I'll need to go by a hardware store for any tools.
Click to expand...

You might want to ask a 'handy' friend for help. No offense, but with a vehicle like that if you break something taking it apart you'll have a hard time fixing it. It might just be a linkage with a clip that came off but if you break a housing trying to get it off the original problem will be the least of your worries.
Click to expand...

What area do you live in? It might be worth dropping by an import repair specialist, in my area (Dallas), there are a few shops that specialize in older classic autos from BMW/Mercedes/Volvo, etc, that are familiar with some of these designs, and often will offer friendly advice. Giving good customer service like this makes it more likely that you will use them for any significant future work requiring a specialist (rebuild motor/tranny, wiring harness, rust on frame, etc).
Click to expand...

I'm in Portland OR. I've heard about a place called Harts that deals with this era car from a couple of people. I'll give them a call and see if they know off the top of their heads if this is common and if so, if there is a quick fix.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
One of two things leap out: Either the post is stripped (the wiper arm attaches to a splined shaft, if the either the wiper arm or the splines strip, the arm will come loose), or the linkage is broken. The latter is more likely because it is difficult to strip a splined shaft to the point that the wiper would move that freely.

Shouldn't be a terribly expensive repair, but won't be a $50 repair either.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
One of two things leap out: Either the post is stripped (the wiper arm attaches to a splined shaft, if the either the wiper arm or the splines strip, the arm will come loose), or the linkage is broken. The latter is more likely because it is difficult to strip a splined shaft to the point that the wiper would move that freely.

Shouldn't be a terribly expensive repair, but won't be a $50 repair either.

ZV
Click to expand...

Depends on what part of the linkage is broken. Dealt with the same problem on my van last year and it was a $5 nylon bushing sold in the !Help section of Advanced auto.
 
Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
One of two things leap out: Either the post is stripped (the wiper arm attaches to a splined shaft, if the either the wiper arm or the splines strip, the arm will come loose), or the linkage is broken. The latter is more likely because it is difficult to strip a splined shaft to the point that the wiper would move that freely.

Shouldn't be a terribly expensive repair, but won't be a $50 repair either.

ZV
Click to expand...

Depends on what part of the linkage is broken. Dealt with the same problem on my van last year and it was a $5 nylon bushing sold in the !Help section of Advanced auto.
Click to expand...

If someone else does it, it's probably an hour of labor, which is ~$100 right there. If he does it himself, you're right. I was assuming he was having the work done by a shop.

ZV
 
Wow, pretty low miles. barely broken in. You'll never get me to buy a non turbo diesel ever again. I still have nightmares of all the bugs that killed themselves on the rear window of my 240D
 
Originally posted by: drnickriviera
head over to www.mercedesshop.com They can tell you what to do.

85' 300D here, how many miles you got on it?
Click to expand...

FIXED! Thanks for the link. I went there and did a search and found that there is a nut at the elbow of the wiper arms that had just gotten too loose. A wrench fixed in 2 seconds.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
 
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