w126 wiper linkage repair - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 05-15-2010, 03:40 PM

hello everyone

the other day my 420's wipers stopped work so today i tore into them and found..

It looks like the item the ball seats into isnt holding the ball it flops out pretty easy...so aside from getting another wiper linkage assembly....what should i do?

moosejaw · #2 05-16-2010, 05:55 AM

I used some stainless steel lockwire aka 'safety wire'. You can get it from aircraft parts suppliers relatively cheap for a 10lb spool. I used ~.022" and weaved it around the link arm and ball in alternating directions. Give it a few wraps and toss in some grease for the wire because it will now have friction on the shaft. You can then twist the free ends together to tighten the whole thing up. Cut off the excess and motor on.

You can find safety wire from many sources and you can get it in many sizes. .022, .032, .042, .062 etc. This stuff is gold for certain repairs.

hey_allen · #3 05-18-2010, 10:37 PM

I ended up drilling and tapping the ball with a 4mm or so thread.
Then drilled a hole the right size in the cup, packed the cup with grease, and secured the whole mess with a washer, small screw/bolt, and some Loctite.

I'd tried using a few zip-ties first in a similar arrangement to what MooseJaw is describing, just to get me home, but they broke off again in short order.

JamesDean · #4 05-18-2010, 10:57 PM

Thank you for the suggestions guys.

I ended up picking up a wiper assembly from the junkyard for $50. Just wrapped up installing it and putting everything back together.

MattM · #5 02-03-2014, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosejaw

I used some stainless steel lockwire aka 'safety wire'. You can get it from aircraft parts suppliers relatively cheap for a 10lb spool. I used ~.022" and weaved it around the link arm and ball in alternating directions. Give it a few wraps and toss in some grease for the wire because it will now have friction on the shaft. You can then twist the free ends together to tighten the whole thing up. Cut off the excess and motor on.

You can find safety wire from many sources and you can get it in many sizes. .022, .032, .042, .062 etc. This stuff is gold for certain repairs.

Thanks for this one. We run a couple of Stretched W126 sedans and one got this problem with the wipers (during a summer storm with passengers in the back, of all times for the wipers to go). I tried your trick today to get them going again so the car can get back to work until the new parts arrived. It worked a treat. Sourced the wire from a local light plane mechanic, tied it up, and bingo, wipers work again. I'll be intrested to see how long this repair goes for.

pawoSD · #6 02-03-2014, 01:48 PM

I also had that happen on two of our cars. We fixed by drilling a hole into the ball, then threading it, then installing a stainless machine screw with Loctite also. greased the joints heavily. Has not failed yet on either car....going on years+ of use too.

Drilling the metal took patience and a lot of lube to keep the bit from dying...that is some TOUGH steel.

Rob Pruijt · #7 02-03-2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I also had that happen on two of our cars. We fixed by drilling a hole into the ball, then threading it, then installing a stainless machine screw with Loctite also. greased the joints heavily. Has not failed yet on either car....going on years+ of use too.

Drilling the metal took patience and a lot of lube to keep the bit from dying...that is some TOUGH steel.

Only the outside is hardened, the inside is relatively soft.
For treading for a 5mm screw it is best to drill a 5mm hole though the outside and smaller one for the rest.

Rob

hey_allen · #8 02-04-2014, 10:13 AM

Well, my car's wiper repair is still holding, nearly four years later.
I'm still looking at sources for replacement sources for the plastic sockets that go over the ball, as my other car had a linkage with a shattered one.

dan.black09@gmail.com · #9 03-30-2014, 09:54 AM

I have hit this problem twice now.. The replacement from the junk yard lasted
only 2 years. For those of you that tried the drill and tap, did you just drill through
the nylon/plastic cap into the ball joint then just install 4mm screw and washer?
I am thinking this won't last long, but sounds like some of you have had years of success. I would like to buy just the replacement balljoint and nylon socket but have
..never been able to find one. I think I'll go and give it a try

hey_allen · #10 03-31-2014, 05:25 AM

That is basically what I did on mine.
I did seperate the ball and socket before drilling and tapping the ball, and used some loctite when installing the screw.
I also used some Teflon grease inside the socket, if I remember correctly.