W126 wiper transmission repair
 

Hi guys, I'm new around here and love the forum. This place has already helped me figure out and fix tons of things with my car, now I need a little more help. I did a search and didn't find much on the subject of wiper transmission assemblies. I found that odd since my mechanic tells me it's a fairly common issue with these cars. Here is the long an short of it.

I know exactly what is wrong and why the windsheild wipers don't work. You can hear the motor turning but nothing happens. This is due to a nylon grommet thingy which connects the wiper motor to the transmission assembly.

I have not been able to order just the grommet from MB, they want $800 for the entire assembly. So I found one at a local european auto recycler for $120. The problem is that one has just done the same thing to me. Now it has broken.

So I'm actually more interested in a long term fix and repair on one of these wiper assemblies rather than just continually replacing it. Does anyone have any ideas, is there an aftermarket part that doesn't break?

We have three W126's and the wiper system is quite robust.....I've never had an issue with mine.....and its been through 5 Michigan winters so far! I'd find a good assembly in a junk yard car and swap them....its pretty straight forward to remove/install them.

Its definatley not a "common issue" like your mechanic claims.....I've never even heard of any W126 wiper issues before, its a very sturdy system.....

I think the bushings are available. Try Phil here on this forum.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=126024&M=103%2E981&GA=722%2E319351&GM=717%2E431&L=765%2E706&CT=F&cat=568&SID=82&S GR=120&SGN=03

For the record, no you cannot buy the grommet it is not listed on that part sheet.
I should post pictures.

Quick question? I thought the w126 body was built from 1979 to 199?
I only ask because a guy on craigslist is parting out a 1980 300SD and is listing it as W116, I hate to drive all the way out there to find out it's the wrong type.

This will be the third wiper assembly for the car and it isn't making me happy.
And for the record pawoSD the last one I installed hasn't lasted 2 months, if this one breaks I'm holding you personally responsible. J/K ;)

W126 was from 1981 to 1992....a 1980 will be a W116

I ended up fixing the one on my 300SD by drilling and tapping the ball inside the bushing (straight down into the "top" of the ball) and then putting a machine screw through the bushing with a washer to keep it from pulling through.
It's held up for a year so far. I just couldn't stomach the ~$250 price tag for a new wiper transmission, and haven't been motivated enough to try to find another vehicle to source the bushings from, since MB doesn't think we need to be able to replace them.