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?

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"The APC" 1983 300SD 234k miles

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.....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

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&SGR=120&SGN=03

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

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

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"The APC" 1983 300SD 234k miles

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

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

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.

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-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...