Wiper Motor mounting bushings

[phil359]

Well... Since I had some of the car taken apart to do minor maintenance I decided to R&R the wiper arm assembly.

Upon taking out the bracket that holds the wiper motor to the body, the rubber bushings decided to disintegrate after 30+ years... imagine that!!

Anyways much to my unfortunate surprise I've learned that MSA only stocks the pivot boot, and according to the parts guy I talked to the rubber bushings are no longer available or made, same goes for the rubber gasket that goes between the pivot arm base, and the body of the car

Does anyone know, or have a relatively good substitution for these items???

Thanks

[2ManyZs]

The gasket should be simple to make out of some rubber gasket material from the parts store.

The bushings will be a little tougher though...maybe cut a couple old sway bar end link bushings to the right thickness and diameter? Or, if you can find it in the hardware store, just cut them out of a piece of thick rubber....

I wouldn't worry about it being perfect as it's not going to be seen to easily.

It's either that or find a decent set off a parts car somewhere.

[TomoHawk]

I was going to suggest that you could use a rubber grommet in there (maybe) of the sufficent size. Otherwise, check McMaster.com for bushings that might work for you.

[EScanlon]

As far as the pivot arm rubber gasket, get a piece of a truck tire inner tube. These are typically a bit thicker than your standard auto tire inner tube. To find one, you can usually find shot inner tubes at truck repair facilities.

Then, find one of the flat sides, trace the base of the pivot arm, cut to fit and punch the holes. It will do the same or better job. If you have an old gasket, it makes it easier and faster.

As far as the rubber mounts for the w/w motor. Go check at your better hardware store. They typically have rubber grommets for use to pass wiring through sheet metal. Find one with the outside diameter INSIDE the rubber to fit the hole in the w/w motor mount. Don't forget that you also need a brass or steel tube inside the mount to prevent the rubber from being crushed. The purpose of these rubber gaskets is to isolate the motor vibration and rocking action from the car.

Good Luck

Enrique Scanlon

[phil359]

Thank-you one and all for your suggestions.... At least it's a start on possible alternatives

[TomoHawk]

is there a good replacement for the "rivets" that hold the arm linkage together? I think I might take mine apart to totally recondition them.

In the Spring?