1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

Windshield Wiper Bushing Replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 08:35 PM
  #1  
ouchman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Windshield Wiper Bushing Replacement

My wiper arms crapped out today so I bought the replacement bushings. The problem is THOSE LITTLE ARE HARD TO POP IN!

The one on the driver's side is under the cowl and I just can't seem to get at it to pop it in! It is not directly underneath the access hole and I just can;t seem to be able to get at it to pop it place.

PLEASE - any hints? I am so tempted to "enlarge" the access hole


Last edited by BC847; Nov 22, 2014 at 08:05 AM. Reason: language
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 08:39 PM
  #2  
apwatson50's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,867
Likes: 0
From: Golden, Colorado
Take all the linkage out of the cowl, replace bushings on bench, then re-install.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 08:43 PM
  #3  
1043's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
DITTO - replace them all while you are at it. Use a little lithium grease and push them on with a "c" clamp.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 08:46 PM
  #4  
RollinCoalSmoke's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: H'ville Tx.
ouchman where did you find the bushings? It has flooded the last two days here and last night I found my noise, the bushings fixing to fall out. Thanks.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2009 | 09:20 PM
  #5  
ouchman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
HELP! part # 49440 - most auto supply stores
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 12:18 AM
  #6  
Trooperthorn's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 890
Likes: 4
From: Salem, OR
Yep, take out the linkeage. Dont forget the greese. The first set I did, I forgot the greese and didn't reaize it until I turned them on and they squeaked. 6 years later, they still squeaked.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #7  
ouchman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by apwatson50
Take all the linkage out of the cowl, replace bushings on bench, then re-install.
DOH!
Sometimes the obvious just isn't obvious to me!

Thanks for the help.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 06:39 AM
  #8  
RollinCoalSmoke's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: H'ville Tx.
Thanks ouchman. I see your a fellow Lonestar State 1st genner. I'll check the parts stores today. Appreciate the help.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 10:23 AM
  #9  
ChrisLib's Avatar
Registered User
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 11
From: Boerne, TX
channel lock pliers are your friend
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 12:27 PM
  #10  
james1's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 807
Likes: 41
From: Englewood, TN
Originally Posted by ChrisLib
channel lock pliers are your friend
Ditto. (And that is the tool recommended for this job in the FSM.)

Also see the following old post:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ighlight=wiper

Bill Gilbert provides the NAPA part numbers as well as complete instructions to complete the job. In addition to the channel locks, I used a small socket with some lithum grease to drive one of the new bushings into the steel linkage bar (on the workbench).
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2009 | 05:28 PM
  #11  
ebteckx's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
on my '76 i put a small socket over the bushing and used the linkage and a pair of pliers to pop em in place. Dont know if its the exact setup in our first gen trucks but it should be similar.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 03:30 PM
  #12  
ouchman's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Job done!

Easy Breezy when they are OUT of the truck. Ample grease applied to bushings - runs smooth as a Baby's Backside! Better than it EVER was before!

THANK YOU
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 09:42 PM
  #13  
ebteckx's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I know that for the older cars, you can buy a kit to add a grease fitting to the pivot as well... dont know if that would work on these trucks too or not... just a thought
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 10:34 AM
  #14  
james1's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 807
Likes: 41
From: Englewood, TN
Smile Reviving an old thread

After only six years, my wipers failed in a rainstorm and I have again replaced all four of my plastic bushings. I’m convinced the demise of the most recent bushings was hastened by the lithium grease I was using. This time I utilized pharmaceutical grade petroleum jelly (“Vaseline”) – hopefully I’ll see a little longer life from this set.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 11:14 AM
  #15  
j_martin's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,479
Likes: 211
From: Isanti, MN
Some, if not all plastic bushings are designed to run dry. I know that in trailer spring applications, if you grease the bushings in the rockers and spring ends, they'll wear through in a hear because the grease captures road dust and dirt and makes an efficient grinding compound out of it. Installed dry they last a long time.

There are dry silicone lubes, usually applied with a spray can, that give you the best of both worlds.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:18 AM.