Wiper Motor Repair

[Foster48x]

Has anyone successfully repaired the gears in a wiper motor on a 80 FI? Is it worth even trying?

The electronics are good and the motor spins the shaft while unattached to the linkage. I've unfroze the wiper linkage but running it with the linkage frozen has stripped the gear under the wiring cover where it attaches to the shaft coming out of the wiper motor. Does anyone know of a wiper motor rebuild kit or even how to get the shaft going to the big plastic white gear out of the motor housing? Or am I just better off buying another?

Rick

[Foster48x]

Anyone ever tried this?

Installing a Bosch wiper motor from a mid 70's VW by James Seabolt.
http://users.chartertn.net/jseabolt/bosch.htm

[Brian]

I used James method as a guide. Mine was not as straightforward though, I think beacuse it is a Pininfarina, not Fiat so there were a few subtle differences. See here: http://www.bassler.us/spider/?fn=3

HOWEVER . . . I do now have a Bosch wiper motor in my spider and have execllent wiper capability now.

[Foster48x]

Brian,
Actually, I found your post the other day and have been studying your install. It was very helpful and looks like it worked well with minor modifications. I have a 1980 FI that has the same wiper set up so the install would be similar. If I can get my hands on a cheap VW motor I'll probably have a go at it.

Did you look at any other options outside of James Seabolt's write up? Maybe other types of motors besides the VW and Audi ones?

Thanks for documenting your experience.
Rick

[Brian]

James commented to me that he was able to get the motor at an angle that allowed it to fit without pounding a space for it. He also said he was able to force the studs into the grommets.

I didn't check any other motors but you could go to a Pick-N-Pull and spend a few hours looking at potential candidates if you have the time. I really didn't consider it since James already did all the work. So Really, the thanks goes to James!

Actually, Rick, if you choose to try to rebuild the Marelli, I just happen to have a NOS gear, unopened, still in the bag if you're interested.

[Foster48x]

Brian, Is the NOS gear the big white one attached to the shaft coming out of the motor? If so PM me a price on it.

Did you consider rebuilding your Marelli? I couldn't figure out how to get the gear and shaft out. It looks like the shaft is pressed into the gear and sealed where it comes out of the motor. Did you try to remove yours?

Yes, James Seabolt's write-up was a great help and the reason I've looked for alternatives to dropping 100+ bucks on a new one. Muchos thanks to him.

Rick

[Brian]

PM sent

[Tempest455]

probably OBE but the main gear and shaft can be removed by prying the tiny retaining ring off that is located at the base of shaft output. It is quite small and might be covered in grease. I used a small tweaker (tiny flat head screwdriver) to find the end and pry it up and off the shaft. Once removed the dust cover, wave washer, and gasket can be pulled off and the gear and shaft will drop right out.

[RTBD]

James commented to me that he was able to get the motor at an angle that allowed it to fit without pounding a space for it. He also said he was able to force the studs into the grommets.

I didn't check any other motors but you could go to a Pick-N-Pull and spend a few hours looking at potential candidates if you have the time. I really didn't consider it since James already did all the work. So Really, the thanks goes to James!

Actually, Rick, if you choose to try to rebuild the Marelli, I just happen to have a NOS gear, unopened, still in the bag if you're interested.

Can anyone tell me if a wiper motor from a 1976 Fiat 124 will work in my 1979 2000 Pinin???