Wiper linkage splined parts

[Gary Waggoner]

Has anyone researched what other car the splined hub might fit? Surely the E9 and E3 are not the only cars with this size spline. I was starting this, but thought I would ask first. Of course I will post up my findings.

 

[adawil2002]

Also 1600 & 2002s.

 

[Markos]

@Gary Waggoner,

Do you need the splines or the whole post with the ball joint? I asked because while the splines are the same, the shaft is the same, the arm with the ball is different. For instance, E3’s and E9’s have different parts. The threaded shaft is M16 x 1.0, and could be replaced. The splined cap is remoceable from the shaft and could be cast or potentially printed.

 

[Gary Waggoner]

Just the splines. It would be nice to find a replacement piece.

 

[Markos]

Hi @Gary Waggoner ,

Okay so I spent a few minutes on this, and went so far as to pull my wiper, then pull the whitemetal splined sleeve. This will be the fifth one that I have I have taken apart so it only took a few minutes. The inner diameter of the BMW splined sleeve is around 7.2mm. I didn't measure the outer diameter, but I have it handy if needed. Outlined below is a potential option. If anyone wants me to pursue this experiment, shoot me a couple of the brass fittings and I will tinker away. Not before I square things away with a few folks waiting on me to ship stuff. I'm very easily distracted.

This is where things get interesting. E3/E9 wipers look damn near identical in design to Volvo 122 wipers, and for the most part similar to Volvo 1800 wipers. Both have a brass replacement fitting. One has a 6mm ID (good) and one is 8mm (likely too big). They cost $5 a pop.

6mm ID Volvo 122 sleeve ($5):

Anchorage sleeve Wiper arm Volvo Amazon/1800/140 Auto-Lite/SWF

Anchorage sleeve Wiper arm Volvo Amazon/1800/140 Auto-Lite/SWF

classicvolvorestoration.com

8mm ID Volvo 1800 sleeve ($5):

Volvo 1800/Amazon wiper spindle hub

Volvo 1800/Amazon wiper spindle hub

classicvolvorestoration.com

Volvo 122 Wiper:

E9 Sleeve:

E9 Wiper:

E9 Splined Sleeve:

New $5 Brass Volvo 122 Sleeve:

 

[Markos]

Continuing with the optimism, Volvo also uses a similar chrome wiper bushing cap. The sequence on a BMW is body -> Aluminum washer/spacer -> chrome cap -> chrome nut.

This doesn't look very chrome to me despite the title, but if it fits it would be simple to professionally chrome. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the BMW threaded collars are M16.

$5

Chromed washer wiper spindle Volvo PV/210

Chromed washer wiper spindle Volvo PV/210

classicvolvorestoration.com

 

[Markos]

Off Topic, I wonder if the $3 washer bottle cap fits? It also looks nearly identical to the NLA vdo cap:

Lid for Volvo washer bottle 666977

Lid for Volvo washer bottle 666977 Not available right now!

classicvolvorestoration.com

 

[Rek]

I am interested in this having one spline which is smooth. Pro tem, I have drilled a hole in the wiper arm and threaded it, and drilled a corresponding hole in the spline. It holds fast but looks horrible. Also, how does one remove and replace the spline?

I did find some ball joints with splines attached but they were in the region of $350 so I felt that another solution was in order.

 

[Markos]

Also, how does one remove and replace the spline?

You need to use a puller. I use a battery terminal puller. It works perfectly, but once you get started you need to stick a small bolt or pin on top of the steel wiper shaft and press on that with the puller. There is enough of the splined steel shaft protruding at the start to begin without using the bolt/pin spacer.

Hard to visualize the size but this puller fits in the palm of your hand. It is very useful for its intended purpose also!

 

[Gary Waggoner]

It appears that the E9 is internally splined as well. Need to check outer diameters.

 

[Markos]

It appears that the E9 is internally splined as well. Need to check outer diameters.

Correct. The internal splines aren't a problem when you are pressing brass onto steel though. I'm going to order one of each to experiment.

 

[Markos]

Order submitted. Stay tuned!

 

[Gary Waggoner]

Cool, let me know the outcome

 

[Markos]

Gahh! It was a long shot. The good news is that someone already has experience fabricating these. I will follow up with the seller.

Almost perfect. Spline count is to course on the brass ones. I haven’t taken the calipers to it but it also looks like it has a slight taper.

 

[zinz]

Watching with interest!

Ed Z

 

[eriknetherlands]

@Markos, how did this excercise go? Did you manage to get it press fitted to the internal spline?

I'm curiuous, although my parts look quite ok. This was an interesting read for me, about the chrome cap, as now i've learned im missing those.
Here a pic for @Rek , to show how to pull the splined part:

 

[Markos]

Hi @eriknetherlands,

Sorry I thought I updated. The brass fitting is a hair too large for the wipers. I had no concern about pressing on the brass, but the wiper simply won’t fit. There is a slight taper on these, and the spline count is fairly off.

Perhaps @Frankie123 wants to do another custom fab group buy. They seem easy enough to make.