Windshield wiper motor removal

[gypsyheartsolo]

Sent: 7/12/2007

We are trying to replace the wiper motor in my 75 bego.  We cannot find a way to remove it.  Any help??!!!

[denisondc]

Sent: 7/12/2007

I hope yours is constructed for better access than my 72. My wiper motor is in the exact middle, right below the point where the two halves of the windshield meet, & directly in front of the RVs radio. It is mounted on a metal plate with 3 bolts reachable only from the side facing -away- from the radio. The metal plate is attached to the sheet of metal that forms the flat top surface of the dashboard. The wiper motor might be easy to remove IF there was an access hole in the middle of the nose, ahead of the windshield.

Without that, the only way that seems feasible is to remove the glove box - to be able to see the wiper motor, then to work blindly at arms length through the glove box opening. Someone with a long arm, sitting with their shoulder pushed into the glove box opening, could reach the nuts/bolts on mine. It has one nut that holds the main lever arm onto the wiper motor shaft, and 3 bolts holding the motor onto a metal plate.
But is the problem actually with the wiper motor? Could it be a bad switch or loose connection or dirty fuse, - or are the wiper pivots stuck? Since I got mine I have been dripping oil onto my wiper pivots each spring. I remove the wiper arms to do this. To dismantle the pivot for de-rusting and greasing it, I think you would have to remove the arms, then a tiny "C" clip on the shaft. Then push the inner shaft backwards into the vehicle. It is very easy for the tiny "C" clip to disappear into the grass.!
If you have a digital camera, you can hold it inside the opening where the glove box door used to be and at least reconnoiter, from viewpoints where your head wont fit.
Let us know how it works out

[Slantsixness]

Sent: 7/13/2007

Actually, a 75 has the Pre-form vinyl dash, so the glovebox access doesn't work for her.

Here's a reprint of the email I sent her:

I see your Windshield wiper motor has gone bad, and you're trying to get it out. Before you attempt to just remove and replace it, make sure it's not just the dash switch or the connector to the motor has gone bad or come loose. The switches are famous for going bad, especially if its the horizontal slider.. Check for power to the switch (and yes, it only works with the ignition on, provided the wiring hasn't been "messed with". there should be a fuse marked "wipers" in the fuse box. If it's a dodge chassis, it will be marked "Wiper"... if a Chevrolet chassis, it will be marked "W/P" or Wipers... depends on the exact production date... 

Assuming it's not that simple, here are the steps to replace it: (and you're not going to like this)

   
• Remove the entire instrument cluster, or remove the entire heater and AC units from the passenger footwell. (the instrument cluster is scarier to remove, but it IS easier in the long run.
• Drop the entire wiring harness down to the floor (label all the wires and where they go or plug into). Some items can be left wired up, and the AC selector should be left in place, but the wiring to it unplugged (the control cables need to stay on the assembly though, removing them causes the control housing to break...don't be too surprised if it's already half broken..it is fixable).
• remove the center radio/ cigar lighter/ Generator control panel (if equipped) and remove the bezel, and the inner mounting frame (if possible, some are riveted in place... but that's ok to leave in then) through a combination of the drivers instrument hole and the radio center hole, you will find and see the wiper motor, over top of the engine shroud. (some of the vent hoses might have to be moved out of the way, but they just flop around, not really attached to anything in the middles, they're just stuffed up in there.)
• Remove the front arm attaching bolt or clip (usually a 7/16" nut with  built in washer, but some do have a steel "E" clip)
• remove the main drive arm from the shaft. It will simply fall to the bottom of the bracket, not get lost in the dash somewhere.
• Remove the 3 (or possibly 4) 7/16" nuts that secure the motor to the mounting bracket (they are hidden, facing the front of the Winnie, one on the upper left as you see it, one on the upper right, and one on the center bottom.
• slide the motor assembly out from the left side (the wire harness protrudes from the left side. if you take it out from the right side with the heater and AC removed, disconnect the plug on either the pigtail or the motor housing itself first.
  

Re-installation: Reverse of above. Be careful to NOT MOVE the main arm assembly, or the wipers on the outside of the coach, or it will take two to three times as long to get it back together. If you spin the Wipers all the way around (assuming that the Wiper arms are removed from the windshield, something you don't want to do) then the entire wiper arm mechanism gets out of sync, and it wont fit back together. (if this already happened, email me and I'll explain how to get it re-centered so you can re-install it)

The wiper assembly in Winnies is pretty much an adapted car windshield wiper motor. The arms are straight out of a delivery truck, and also the wiper arm plates. All of this stuff is still readily available.

You CAN also REMOVE THE RADIATOR, CUT AN ACCESS HOLE IN THE ENGINE SHROUD, and REMOVE IT THAT WAY Too.... but I doubt you would want to, but look up there just to be sure someone didn't already cut a hole... it does make it much simpler to remove, but you have to remove so many unrelated things that it just doesn't make sense. if an access hole has been cut there, though, you may be able to leave the radiator in, take a look to be sure.

One last note, This is the biggest pain in the rear in a Winnebago class A. I hope for you, that it's just a switch or wiring problem. To make it easier, remove the front drivers seat, it'll make it a little easier on yourself.

I hope this helped you. If you aren't clear on something, or need a longer or more detailed explanation of the instrument cluster disassembly or anything, Just send me another note.

[gypsyheartsolo]

Sent: 7/15/2007

Great news!  It was in the wiring outside of the motor and I did not have to do the horrible removal.  I now has the horn, wipers and dash lights working.  The gauges all except the vacuum seem to be working as well.  I still have a rats nest of wires that the PO left me, but I think after I hook up a radio, clock, lighter and CB that will clean up so of them or I will just have to remove and start over.

[The_Handier_Man1]

Has anyone really replaced the wiper motor before?  It looks like Winnebago started with the wiper motor and built the rest of the coach around it.  Mine stopped working a couple of times going to Hoodstock this year, to much driving in the rain, but works great when stopped.  Maybe cutting an access hole above the radiator might be a good thing.

[The_Handier_Man1]

OK I cut an access hole above the radiator and removed the wiper motor.  Now I have not been able to find a new one.  My motor has melted the plastic brush holder so it looks like I need to find a replacement.  It is not a Dodge part so this might be a challenge.  Any ideas?

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Any Manufacturer info?  Assembly P/N?

Also try looking for School bus or heavy truck Wiper Motor

Dave

[The_Handier_Man1]

The motor is marked:
American Bosch
Columbus, Miss
WWC 12L 2770
Service Motor

I am still looking.

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Potential sources for something that might work

http://www.amequipment.com/03_rv_bus_2pc_glass.html

http://www.amequipment.com/PDFFiles/catalog.pdf

http://www.marinco.com/productline/wiper-motorse

Dave

[Froggy1936]

Caution !!!  No one has mentioned ,it is imperative to dissconnect the battery ,before doing any work under dash requireing removing any electrical part ! If you let the smoke out of the wires you will regret ever starting on repair Frank

[Froggy1936]

Wile doing a major rewireing of my 77 chev cab I had the dash out and most of all the dash wireing . The wiper motor was very accessable at that point (and i had a spare from the 1995 van ) Also the fiberglass frt end was off (wich is required to do any work on removing wiper linkage) Due to removing fresh air intake grill requires frt end removal with the fiberglass option. But they were working fine so i just lubed everything and crossed my fingers . And yes the cab is built around the wiper motor. Replacement requires removal of complete dash assy . You will get a real education at time of replacement ! Frank