W126-- W/S/W linkage help needed

[MS Fowler]

On my 1982 300SD, the arm for the W/S/W linakage fell off the ball stud from the motor. It appears that the ridge on the inside edge of the backside of the plastic cap that should retain the ball stud has broken away, or worn off.
I tried both Fastlane, and the local MD Dealer. Both had the same (poor) drawing of the linkage, but the plastic cap does not appear to be on the drawing. I thought it was #9 ( IIRC) MB called it a "nut". I ordered 2 ( one for spares), and what I got was 2 alloy nots; not the plastic cap I needed.

My questions--
Can anyone provide a MB Part Number?

Has anyone sucessfully repaired this plastic part? I am thinking of greasing the ball, and then putting a ribbon of JB Weld around the ID. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks,

Michael Fowler

[Benz Mercedes]

The plastic socket cup is not available, that sucks, the wiper transmission is about $430, that sucks also. But I did repair mine 4 years ago by removing the plastic socket, cutting off the ball stud and drilling out a hole and used a bolt with a wide, but thin in hieght, head, metal and nylon washers and two thin nuts, for locking together. It works well if you keep all the tolerances close but not too tight, the bolt should spin freely. your wipers will work until you find a replacement transmission or the other socket fails.


Ben

[MS Fowler]

Thanks, That sounds like one option.

[hdbill1@comcast]

i found the part your looking for on internet last year. unfortunatly i don't remember the site. but it is available.

[Benz Mercedes]

The opening in the plastic socket is smaller than the ball stud on the linkage , I'm not sure how you could insert the ball into the socket even if you had one . I would assume the ball and socket are manufactured as a unit with heat providing the plastic at the collar of the socket to soften then the ball inserted then the heat softened collar of the socket would need to be closed slightly around the ball to ensure it doesn't pop out. If you remember the site where a socket can be found ,let us know as these sockets must be inexpensive and I would buy a few and try to install it properly as I have a spare wiper transmission that has also failed.

Ben

[hey_allen]

When my 300SD's linkage fell apart, I repaired mine by drilling and tapping a hole in the top of the ball, and a matching hole slightly oversize drilled in the socket.

With a good bit of good grease packed in the socket, it was put back on the ball and secured with a washer and a capscrew, along with a little blue Locktite.

If you're going to do this, it helps to have access to a drill press, as the ball is a pain to get to stay still, and may also be hardened steel.