Windscreen Wiper Linkage

[Micknhs]

My windscreen wiper linkage keeps popping of the motor knuckle Is there a clip that holds it on as got another one from breakers and that is the same

If no clip has anyone any idea how to stop it popping off

Thanks

Mick

[Notoyboy]

Had a look at my '03 Corolla, but the scuttle prevents me seeing the knuckle detail with much clarity.

If it's like the knuckle on my old Citroen Xantia's wiper linkage, then the joint is a metal ball which is pressed into a plastic cup retained/held in the other part of the joint. Over time, the plastic wears, and the metal ball rusts away, and then one day, knuckle falls apart :(

Two methods of repair, which both worked (on other Xantias) but not tried either myself:

1. Drill (carefully) through plastic cup & cup's metal retainer into the ball, and secure with a self-tap screw.

2. Unsure of the detail, but I think this repair (similar to above in reality) involved drilling right through the linkage, hole size to suit a split pin, latter being fitted with (I assume) a washer under the "head" and the "tail"

As you've got a spare from the scrapyard, you can experiment on that at your leisure. Good luck :)

PS. Not sure whether a plastic tie would hold it all together , but this would only be a "get-you-home" measure

[oldcodger]

Not worked on those parts and this info refers to the 2002 onwards model, though would have though its probably the same.

The Haynes manual simply says "disconnect" without any detail how ?

This 2004 sevice diagram again seems to imply there is nothing other that its hooked on without any additional nuts or pins.

However if the rod is still coming off, it kind of implies the connection are badly worn or, if not, one or both arms are jamming/seizing at the other ends and its jumping off at the motor end becuase of that ....?

[TomdeGuerre]

Had a look at my '03 Corolla, but the scuttle prevents me seeing the knuckle detail with much clarity.

If it's like the knuckle on my old Citroen Xantia's wiper linkage, then the joint is a metal ball which is pressed into a plastic cup retained/held in the other part of the joint. Over time, the plastic wears, and the metal ball rusts away, and then one day, knuckle falls apart :(

Two methods of repair, which both worked (on other Xantias) but not tried either myself:

1. Drill (carefully) through plastic cup & cup's metal retainer into the ball, and secure with a self-tap screw.

2. Unsure of the detail, but I think this repair (similar to above in reality) involved drilling right through the linkage, hole size to suit a split pin, latter being fitted with (I assume) a washer under the "head" and the "tail"

As you've got a spare from the scrapyard, you can experiment on that at your leisure. Good luck :)

PS. Not sure whether a plastic tie would hold it all together , but this would only be a "get-you-home" measure

Did the job not so long ago on a Fiat Punto which the guy had been quoted over £100 for complete new linkage. Took out the linkage and motor assy, measured it out for a felt washer and a steel washer, drilled a hole through the steel ball part, soaked the felt washer in grease followed by steel washer underneath it, fitted a 1/16th split pin and reassembled it back into the car and it worked a treat. Nothing worse than your pin falling out of the socket.

[Notoyboy]

Nothing worse than your pin falling out of the socket.

:lol:

[corolla mark]

Here is a video which shows hot to remove the wiper linkage and motor

it is a bit over the top with marking the wiper arms. The important thing is to remove the wipers in the "parked" position and fit them back in the same place. With the motor "parked" and the arms "parked" it should all be back in sync.

I have the same problem as it happens. The motor/wiper linkage connection popped off twice on the way home yesterday!

I have had another place on the scissor links come apart before. Last time I called out the RAC and they were no use at all (I was a long way from home!)

When I got the car home I drilled a hole in the wiper linkage ball stud and put a screw and a large washer on to stop it from coming apart again. The screw was an M5 screw and it was a tight fit into the hole through the ball end. This meant I did not have to tap (thread) the hole. Not impressed by the quality of these linkages; the rest of the car has been great and it has just gone over 100,000 miles.

Good luck

[corolla mark]

New "Windsheld wiper link assembly" ordered from Toyota. £14.50 including VAT. So I'm going to replace the whole scissor link assy. Should be good for another 17 years hopefully.......

Update; the Parts Department of the Toyota Main Agents has just phoned back. "I'm sorry I've made a *****-up etc...." Apparently it's £164 (incl VAT). Cancelled order :-( Looks like I'll try drilling the link and putting a bolt and washer through

[corollamark]

Sheesh that was complicated. I ordered a set of wiper linkages "kit number 4" from Wipex, which alladgedly was the right one for my car. They arrived a couple of days late, fair enough, but they did not fit! Not recommended.

I also bought 2 repair clips from i6 Automotive on eBay. They didn't look like they would work.

I tried one and I am very happy to confirm it fits perfectly on the motor output arm (ball end) to passenger side linkage. It is very secure, no way the link can pop off again, and also it does not seem to increase the friction at all. It still allows the movement of the ball link. Very impressed. A bargain at £2.68 for 2 of them!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WINDSCREEN-WIPER-MOTOR-LINKAGE-RODS-ARMS-LINK-MECHANISM-REPAIR-CLIP-KIT-/161317066551?hash=item258f3f1737

ps if anybody takes their wiper linkages apart, be careful to put the drivers side one back exactly as it came out, as I inadvertently fitted it wrongly and one wiper was going up, and the other one was tring to wipe the bonnet!!

[TomdeGuerre]

Sheesh that was complicated. I ordered a set of wiper linkages "kit number 4" from Wipex, which alladgedly was the right one for my car. They arrived a couple of days late, fair enough, but they did not fit! Not recommended.

I also bought 2 repair clips from i6 Automotive on ebay. They didn't look like they would work.

I tried one and I am very happy to confirm it fits perfectly on the motor output arm (ball end) to passenger side linkage. It is very secure, no way the link can pop off again, and also it does not seem to increase the friction at all. It still allows the movement of the ball link. Very impressed. A bargain at £2.68 for 2 of them!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WINDSCREEN-WIPER-MOTOR-LINKAGE-RODS-ARMS-LINK-MECHANISM-REPAIR-CLIP-KIT-/161317066551?hash=item258f3f1737

ps if anybody takes their wiper linkages apart, be careful to put the drivers side one back exactly as it came out, as I inadvertently fitted it wrongly and one wiper was going up, and the other one was tring to wipe the bonnet!!

Had a look with that link you provided and those clips are the absolute dogs, never knew they made them. Only concern I would have with them is they're chrome plated and I've had previous experience with plated spring clips snapping because of hydrogen embrittlement caused by acid etch and plating baths. They can help avoid this by putting the parts in hot ovens post-plating for a specified time but if it happens It causes sudden catastrophic failure of the clips.

I suppose you could drill and split pin them and put a bolt through as well as the spring clips just to be sure to be sure to be sure as our friends from the emerald isle would say.