<div class="bbWrapper"><b>This is a Guide to the replacement of wiper spindles on W460 G Wagens.</b><br />
This procedure was carried out by myself on my Right hand drive 1990 W460. The procedure will be almost identical in left hand drive W460s and very similar in W463's <div class="bbImageWrapper js-lbImage" title=":D"
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<br />
I will start with the fact that wiper spindles are one of the most common failure on G wagens of a certain age generally, over 15years old.<br />
As the wiper shaft which runs through a hollow bearing tube wears, (collectively referred to as wiper spindles) it allows water to enter the cabin behind the dashboard, this accelerates wear and rust in the tube and can result in electrical problems and water to collect in the drivers foot-well, leading to rust rotten carpets and sometimes heater problems.<br />
<br />
<b>Spares</b><br />
Wiper spindles on their own are now no longer available from MB dealers, unless<br />
you buy the entire wiper linkage system (£375 plus VAT (Correct as of 6/5/20)<br />
<br />
<b>S-Tec </b>(Magna-Styer) <a href="https://www.puch.at/en/contact/about-us/" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">PUCH G / PINZGAUER - Online Shop</a> <br />
Did sell wiper spindles, I believe they are now also NLA although some may be available from third party sellers- BUT some out there have the ball joints in the wrong place- depending on left hand or right hand drive- However there is a fix for this that takes about 15- 20 minutes as long as you have access to some tools and a MIG welder. I will come on to that later.<br />
<br />
Correct spindle sealing Washers;<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/img-20200506-wa0007-jpg.127730/"
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<br />
<b>Step 1</b><br />
First and seemingly most obvious Check that you have all the parts you need before you start.<br />
<br />
<b>Wiper spindles</b><br />
The ones I bought (S-TEC type) were in their original configuration wrong for my Right hand drive W460 and the ball joints on the drivers side had to be moved to new positions.<br />
<br />
<b>Important;</b><br />
The special sealing washers x2 (pictured below) made of a type of soft rubberized fiber/cloth.(not first picture)<br />
and corresponding metal washers x2<br />
and securing nuts, x2<br />
along with the <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_nkw=wiper+arm" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">wiper arm</a> sprung washers x2<br />
and securing nuts. x2<br />
<br />
One of my wiper arms was supplied with an incorrect rubber sealing washer and a larger black metal washer- the rubber washer squeezed out upon tightening the spindles in position and was basically useless, so a correct* replacement had to be obtained. (see the washers in the clear parts bags earlier in this guide)<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_142621-jpg.127734/"
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correct leather washer and metal washer silver<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_144524-jpg.127735/"
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<i>incorrect rubber washer and black metal washer- Do not use these* <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_141941-jpg.127732/"
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Passenger side wiper spindle old vs new<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200506_110048-jpg.127733/"
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Drivers side wiper spindle old vs new<br />
<br />
<b>TOOLS</b><br />
Also you will need to make sure before you start that you have the right tools.<br />
you will need;<br />
x1 13mm ring spanner (wiper arms)<br />
A two leg puller (to remove wiper arms)<br />
Two 22mm open ended spanners of good quality (Or one 22mm spanner and a large adjustable spanner.) Wiper spindle nuts.<br />
A large flat bladed screwdriver, to pop off the ball joints ( can use panel removal tool)<br />
Extra-long needle nosed pliers (45degree or 90 degree angled ones)<br />
A pair of adjustable water pump pliers (to pop the ball joints back together)<br />
Socket set with a 27mm socket and extension bar (Steering wheel nut)<br />
Torch (its dark in there!)<br />
Grease (For spindles and ball joints)<br />
An assistant to operate one of the spanners as you most likely will run out of reach undoing and doing up the spindles in the bulkhead.<br />
Masking tape (to protect the bulkhead from tool damage whilst doing up and undoing spindle bolts)<br />
Touch up paint same colour as your car. (Mine had some paint chips near the spindles)<br />
<br />
<b>Step 2</b><br />
<br />
Remove Wiper arms from spindles by removing 13mm nut and use a 2 leg puller to release arms from the spindles.<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200507_114911-jpg.127737/"
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Old spindle, caked in Grease in an attempt to keep the water out- didn't work!<br />
<br />
<b>Step 3</b><br />
<br />
Next remove the steering wheel... to allow better access , by praising off the central cover with your fingers.. undo the big nut holding it on with a socket and extension bar 27mm.<br />
Dont remove the nut completely... leave it a few threads on the steering shaft and yank hard towards you on the steering wheel, that will release it from its tapered splines without hitting you in the face! Now remove the nut and disconnect the horn wire (I wrapped mine in a bit of electrical tape to stop it sounding the horn.)( If you have a w463 with an Air bag disconnect the battery first and carefully disconnect the airbag before removing wheel)<br />
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<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_113930-jpg.127739/"
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<br />
<br />
<b>Step 4</b><br />
<br />
Next step is optional but I found it allowed me much better access, (recommended)<br />
Remove the drivers seat, by removing the four bolts that secure it to the floor and lift out. If the bolts have not been out in years, spray them to help loosen them with penetrating spray.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 5</b><br />
<br />
The Instrument cluster has to be moved to one side.. there are two small Phillips head screws on either side of the back plastic cluster cover... once removed you can lift it off.<br />
Then unscrew the two Phillips screws under the front leading edge of the <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_nkw=gauge+cluster" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">gauge cluster</a>, below the speedo and fuel gauges.<br />
Unscrew the speedo cable where it attaches to the speedo unit at its rear, its a knurled nut and should only be finger tight.<br />
Loosen the two screws on the metal bars holding the top of the gauge to the front of the cluster....they are held on at the rear of the dash by nuts and bolts so take care not to drop the nut into the rear of the dash when undoing them. You should now be able to gently pull the cluster forward and off to the middle of the car out of the way. I used a bungee cord to support it attached to the mirror to prevent strain on the wires and connections. There is no need to completely remove it.<br />
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<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_115617-jpg.127743/"
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In addition I removed the small screws holding the wooden trim along the centre of the dashboard either side of the steering wheel, and around the ignition key for better access and vision. I would recommend doing this.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 6</b><br />
<br />
Remove the air vent pipe from the right hand dashboard vent outlet, by reaching in and gently pulling it off... its and interference fit.<br />
now move it out of the way, I used the bungee to hold it to one side.<br />
<br />
<b>Step 7</b><br />
<br />
Next you will have to remove the glove compartment box.<br />
Open the glovebox cover and remove the four scews that hold it in place.<br />
there may also be a screw at the rear accessed from underneath the dashboard.<br />
carefully remove the glovebox, it may catch on the lower edge of the opening, but it will come out with care rather than bruue force. (which will break the hinges)<br />
Put that to one side... now remove the pipe onto the passenger side door air vent like you did on the drivers side.<br />
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<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_121203-jpg.127746/"
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<b>Step 8</b><br />
The next step will require a large flat bladed screwdriver or a panel lever .<br />
With a torch look into the hole left by the glove box and you will see the arm of the <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_nkw=wiper+motor" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">wiper motor</a> crank (blue nut), attached to a linkage , (Pictured below)<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_121219-jpg.127747/"
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<b>Do not (under normal circumstances- i.e. for this spindles replacement procedure) undo the blue nut or remove the arm from the <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_nkw=wiper+motor" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">wiper motor</a>. </b>It is set so that upon reassembly the wipers will park in the correct position. It is not necessary and undesirable to do this.<br />
However if you have to replace the <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_nkw=wiper+motor" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">wiper motor</a> this is the position of the <a href="http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_nkw=wiper+motor" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">wiper motor</a> crank arm for Right Hand Drive G's the line along the top of the crank, dissects the left mount bolt, through its center. (Illustrated with a metal slotted strip)<br />
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<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/wiper-motor-460-park-position-rhd-jpg.127748/"
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Instead slide a large flat bladed screwdriver or other suitable ball-joint splitter and with a gentle twist pop the ball-joint connection of the wiper linkage off the motor arm.<br />
<br />
It is a plastic ball-cup and a metal ball.<br />
<a href="https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/attachments/20200505_133223-jpg.127750/"
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Take careful note of the shape of the wiper linkage as this will be helpful when it comes time for reassembly and identifying which parts go where and which way round<br />
<br />
<b>Step 9</b><br />
<br />
Next we will be removing the wiper linkage from the passenger (RHD) side 'wiper spindle' by popping its ball-joint... this is tucked up high under the dash and will require you to get down low and look up through the glove-box hole behind the heater and with a torch and you should see this.<br />
I have already inserted a large bladed screwdriver to pop the ball-joint off.<br />
<br />
(see following post)<br />
<a href="https://www.gwagenregister.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6609&start=10#top" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">Top</a></div>
