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MG MGB Technical - Wiper gearbox removal

Hi All,

Frustration maximum!

My driver side wiper leaks onto my feet. Investigating shows that the chrome spacer is not sitting square on the scuttle, so I am trying to remove it to reposition it and add some sealant. I have loosened the motor and extension tubes, but cannot remove the external chromed spacer. I have tried everything I can think of, using a paint tin opener as a lever, see photo, on a piece of metal, to spread the load. I have dribbled ATF and acetone into the gap, I have tapped it gently with a rubber mallet (well maybe not that gently) and tried to rotate it with multigrips, with a rubber strip, to protect the chrome. I have also tightened the nut some, and believe there was some movement, but the DAMN THING REFUSES TO COME OFF.

I'm sure I had it off within the last 12 months, when I thought I had fixed the leak.

Any ideas, please!!!

Herb



Herb Adler

Herb - Did you remove the nut on the top of the chrome spacer? Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

It *looks* like the nut is off, I've had to cut carefully though those in the past to remove them without damaging the box. Once off the angled spacer was just a loose fit. Tightening the nut could well have turned the whole thing, i.e. the spacer was still locked to the wheel-box. With the nut off try tapping a very narrow thin screwdriver blade down what should be a gap between the hole in the spacer and the tube of the wheelbox. Did you try malleting the end of the wiper shaft? With the nut off that should push the wheelbox down inside the car, leaving the spacer on top. Other than that you are going to have to cut the spacer off *carefully*, at least they are only three quid, 30 for the wheelbox!
PaulH Solihull

Hi,

Dave
Yes the nut is off.

Paul
Unfortunately there is almost no clearance between the spacer and the gearbox, so no room for a screwdriver. I may try and make something from thin shim, as I'm not that keen on cutting it off.

Herb
Herb Adler

I am a fond user of a bit of heat, then WD 40 then trying to pry things off, or using spanners sockets etc. I would try one of those small lighter blow lamp arramgements play the heat on the chrome ring then give it another go? Mike
J.M. Doust

I would spay it with penetrating oil, replace the wiper arm so as to not damage the splines on the shaft and give the end of the arm covering the shaft a wack with a mallet.
Hartley Mayers

Herb, I would try vinegar or lemon juice first. what you propbably have is aluminium oxide corrosion built up binding the metallic wiper gear. Try that and then tapping all around to loosen the cover. alternatively lossen the rack and tap the wiper crank through the scuttle.

Regards
A J Ogilvie

Hi,

Well I've tried all the above, with no luck.
I've been dribbling vinegar in for the last 2 days but nothing has moved. Used a heat gun and then sprayed the gearbox shaft with freeze, no go.
I've belted it with a rubber mallet, every which way and I'm a bit scared to hit it too hard as I might damage the scuttle.

Next is to get a replacement and cut the thing off, only how can you cut, as there is no room for an up - down sawing motion?

Also I've noticed that the length of thread protuberance is about twice that of the other side.

As I'm entered in an exhibition next week I might just smear a bit of silicon around till I can properly fix it.

Herb

PS do Bs float and should I take a paddle with?
Herb Adler

Herb..
If the situation ever calls for a paddle you are up the wrong creek.
You might try running an 1/8 drill bit into the end along side the threads and then with a tapered drift split the bezel.
Sandy
ss sanders

Hi Herb,

If all else fails got to bunnings and buy one of those cheap chinese dremel kits. the little cut off wheels and ginders will help you cut off the old cover.
Al
A J Ogilvie

If you have twice the thread showing on the stuck side, then the angled spacer that should be underneath the panel as well as on top could be missing, possibly jamming the parts together.

If you saw down the side of the wheelbox shaft, through the spacer, across the car, probably having to make two cuts for part of the way at least, even stopping short of the bottom of the spacer you should end up with a slot you can get a screwdriver in and lever the slot open further, which may well crack whatever is keeping it stuck.
PaulH Solihull

X2 on using a Dremel and a cut off wheel. It's gotten me out of a lot of jambs over the years and is small enough to fit in limited spaces. RAY
rjm RAY

Hi,

Well I've just got back from picking up a replacement spacer. The surprising thing is that it is mostly hollow, ie just 4 ribs inside with oodles of space around them. The only tight part is at the top, which is a lip about 2mm thick.

I will tackle cutting the old one off tomorrow and see what the problem is.

Herb
Herb Adler

It's the little things that drive us crazy and are the most difficult to solve. If your car wasn't painted, the cover would slide right off. RAY
rjm RAY

Shouldn't be in contact with paint (unless the car had been sprayed over fully fitted out ...) as the spacer should be sitting on a rubber gasket, as Herb's photo seems to show.
PaulH Solihull

Hi All,

Well I got it off. When I wasn't trying to protect the chrome I used a pairs of multigrips direct on the spacer and with some force managed to turn the spacer and then to wiggle it off.

Once I had it off there was no real discernable reason for the tight fit.

It turned out to be a solid brass fitting! The new one is diecast and flimsy in comparison, see photo. The one on the right is the original one.

There also was a 1/8" spacer, under the dash, missing, which explained the extra length sticking out.

After replacing everything under the dash, I just need help with one more thing.....Is there a chiropractor out there?

Herb


Herb Adler

Flimsy and diecast by comparison maybe, but if it don't stick ... :o)
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2011 and 22/01/2011

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