C3 wiper door mechanism

[Ed Driscoll]

The wiper door mechanism on my 68 coupe seems to be shot. It was in the out position for quite a while and now it seems to be very stiff. It can't be actuated with 18-20 in Hg of vacuum (measured at input to WD actuator). I did the usual clean and soak and still quite stiff. By stiff, I mean that the arms do not retract without substantial force being applied by hand. Is there a kit available to rebuild it, or does someone have an idea of a good rebuilder? One of the two arms that mount it to the inside of the wiper well has been broken and repaired with epoxy and one of the small studs is gone. Am I spinning my wheels here with this one? should I try to find a replacement? Is it possible to find a replacement? Thanx alot and happy holidays to all. Hey, do think Schumacher is going to beat Fangio next season?

[John L.]

Re: C3 wiper door mechanism

Ed,

If you check Paragon can rebuild the mechanism for you.

John L.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 wiper door mechanism

If the vacuum cannister cannot lower and raise the wiper door, you should be able to remove the plug from the vacuum cannister and using a instrument in this hole push the wiper door up. I have never had any trouble with my 68 other than the vacuum cannister shaft actually breaking back in 73. The long style cannister was not avavilabe any longer and GM supplied me with the later style with a conversion bracket. When I removed the wiper door for repainting in 83 I broke two of the shouldered attachment bolts and installed heli-coils in the wiper door. Installed all new plastic bushings and it all still works today. Perhaps if you removed your wiper door and replaced the old bushings and installed new shouldered bolts your door would operate more freely. I would not exert to much pressure on opening and closing the wiper door fearing breaking something that would require replacement of the wiper door support asssembly.

[Ed Driscoll]

Re: C3 wiper door mechanism

Hi Jim,
It's not the actuator or the bushings on the door itself, it's the mechanism that lifts the door up. It has a multi joint arm on either side, and these joints are frozen. I've soaked them and oiled them and gently tried to manipulate them back into some usable function, but as I said, 20 Hg in of vacuum will not pull that door up, and so my request for a rebuilder. I believe paragon, as was suggested to me, has a rebuilt mechanism for 225.00 with the core, so, barring a rebuilder coming out of the woods, I'll go that route. Thanx for taking the time. happy holidays
Ed

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 wiper door mechanism

Ed,

I'd bet that you could find a complete working mechanism for less than $225. Maybe not, but it's worth looking. I'd check with Contemporary Corvette, or a similar Corvette-only junkyard first.

Patrick

[Roberto L.]

Re: C3 wiper door mechanism

Hello, there is a chance that pressure needs to be release before moving manually the system, as others have commented. Be cautious or the inner seal could be broken.
On Fangio, yes there is a good chance that Schumacher will get 6 or even 7 champs, but he will never match 'El Chueco' given his time, car and circunstances, as Shumi said himself. Both great drivers in their times.

Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC

[Ed Driscoll]

Re: C3 wiper door mechanism

Thanx for the info guys. The actuator was removed before I attempted to move the door. Trust me, this thing is frozen at the point where the two arms rotate under the door. The mechanisms themselves are frozen, no vacuum actuator involved. The car sat for over a decade with the door up, so the arms froze in that position. I'm going to try searching around for a used one, but for 225.00 a guaranteed rebuild just might be the way to go. And I think Shumi's got at least one more. But Fangio, ah..The King. And the great gentleman of racing.
Happy holidays