Windshield wiper advice now needed, SVP

David have you thought of posting a picture of the attachment... maybe someone can then match you with an equivalent supplier.  As I see it on my 2004 IM, the shaft had a push in wiper attachment, do you want to change the whole mechanism?  if so you have to change the wiper motor etc. ...personally, I try to use a windshield treatment because the wipers were never impressive but were period correct.  An area that needs improvement on any 356. We live in the FREEZER here .... Ray

Good idea, Ray...here's an internet pic of what my wiper shafts look like. No grooves, no splines. The JBugs site suggest this is from a 65-67 Beetle and my chassis is believed to be a '66 so that makes sense. The thing that confuses me is that the wiper arms that came off do not look like jbug p/n 111955216C which is a 65-67 left wiper arm. They do not have a screw type tightening feature like the ones that came off my car.

 

I don't want to change any more than I have to. Right now I have to get two new arms, blades and refills. If I have to change the wiper shafts, so be it. I'm just hoping to find some knowledgeable person on this list who's gone thru this process before and may be able to prevent me the headache of ordering and having to return the wrong parts.

 

Ray...I hear you about the usefulness of the wipers. We do travel a lot though...like 45,000 miles in the last four years and have encountered the likes of what you see in the second pic. I use rain-x but that wouldn't have been useful in Mesa Verde Park that day. The first image is what my wiper shafts look like.

 

Thanks for any advice lads....

Rain-X works about as good as wiper.  Fog-X works on inside for mist/fog.

 

Think these are ones you want - There is a set screw (hex) head under the cover. It's 58-64.-

 

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDe...e=VWC-113-955-407-B2

 

 

Yours have a hook for the blade?  That might be this one but can't see set screw.  Its 65-67.

 

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDe...de=VWC-113-955-407-D

 

 

 

Please kill the thread drift here. I'm trying to learn something important. Thanks.

All you ever wanted to know about pre 67 wiper shafts
http://www.aircooledtech.com/early_wiper_upgrade/
http://www.jbugs.com/category/...tore_Code=JBUGS.html

Ted

Excellent and thanks, Ted. All has become clear now.

Ted that is really good info to have. David I wonder if you measured the hole openings if you could not order from IM the parts for the upgrade. Ray 

Not sure if I'll do the Connolly upgrade or not, Ray. I may just install the earlier type with new parts.

 

Here's a pic of my existing arm and blade. I don't see anything like them in the VW catalogues which is confusing. To install the blade onto the arm, you slide the uppermost part on the arm along it's track, slip the end of the blade in and then slide the uppermost part back along it's track.

 

I'll get my seats out soon so I can get in easier and have a looksee under the dash at how things are and go from there.  

Yes you have to get under the dash which is no fun at times .... 

Those aren't VW, not sure what they are, late 30's, 40's Ford maybe, maybe 50's British. Maybe that part number stamped into the bottom of the arm can give you a clue, otherwise I'd recommend changing arms to something else so you know what they are.

Sage advice.

 

Upgrade/change to that they both match AND so you know what you have and where to get spares.

Ted

You have a good eye, Justin. That number on the wiper arm says Pat. 3433513 and that is a US patent for Trico wiper arms from 1969. I could not further develop a direct use for the part. The blade has a long number also with the prefix buried under the hinging part but the last part of the number is 4089.4007511. Found nothing on that with a brief search.

Those look like Bridget's old wipers, David. From (I think) a '69 Bug. I'm pretty sure I have the motor, inside linkage and all to send you if you want. BUT I bollixed up the nubs that the wiper arms fit on when I disassembled them a couple years ago. --there were two set screws in each, and I pulled out one and ended up going after it with the channel locks... 

 

Anyway: should all go back together for you and it all worked when parted. I replaced them with a proper top-of-the-windshield setup--which works less well but looks the part.

Thanks, Ed. dialog sent,.

The best wiper shaft is that one having a tapered spline and acorn nut to secure it....

Confirming that the wiper arm is ..tight... on the spline .

I have similar wiper arms/shafts on my Cobra to the CiPi ones posted above(and now on the Speedster), though the Cobra ones are chrome plated. After twice losing a wiper arm due to the keeper nut loosening up, I solved that issue by dabbing a little paint on the end of the bolt and lightly screwed it in until it just contacted the shaft then removed the blade and backed the screw almost out. The paint left a spot on the shaft, then it was simply using a Dremel tool with a tapered fine grade grinder attachment to make a small divot in the shaft, reattach the blade with a small drop of blue Lock-tite on the thread of the bolt and tighten it down. The 'divot' provided a 'catch' if you will for the bolt and now about 10 yrs later I have never again lost a wiper arm.

Also to keep from loosing a shaft cover if you lose a wiper arm dab a little clear silicone on the inside edges then press it firmly in place then attach the wiper arm, if it ever needs to be removed for any reason it will pop off with a little judicious gentle prying. 

I have done the same thing to the Speedster.

 

One caution though if you use the blue Lock-tite make sure you use the correct 6 point(do not use a 12 point) mm wrench or socket to tighten/loosen it or I guarantee you will round the head of the bolt quickly making it very difficult to loosen if need be.