Wipers and defrost duct

[jeffc280sl]

Took my dash apart in order to recover split MB tex dash pieces.  Thought I would check the heater fan motor and other items while the dash is apart.  My wipers have always (8 years) been anemic.  Thought I would take the wiper assembly apart and clean the various pieces.  Ended up yanking on the drivers side defroster duct and damaging it in order to get it out.  A little fiberglass repair and balck paint made it as good as new.  Didn't know that you need to remove the wiper mechanism under the dash in order to properly remove the duct.  Also didn't know the wiper arm shaft is removeable.  First time around I removed the 4ea 10mm bolts which hold the entire assempbly in place.  After removing and cleaning the entire assembly I noticed that the shaft is held in place from the outside by a small clip.  If one needs to take it apart for cleaning you can remove the shaft by taking off the clip on both sides and pushing the wiper shaft into the interior of the dash.  A proper cleaning and lubrication of these shafts has made a big improvement in wiper operations.  Now on to the heater box for cleaning and possible re-core.  Don't ever want to take this area apart again.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[n/a]

I have had the same problem when my wipers were seized up and not moving at all (when i bought the car). The passanger side was no problem to access but the drivers side was impossible. I fabricated a long tube of steel (about 80 mm long by 35mm diameter) welded with an end plate that was drilled and tapped with hole the same size as the outer threads on the wiper stubb which protudes through the body(on the exterior of the car -this allows the wiper shaft to rotate inside it). The wiper stubb retaining nut was removed and this long tube was then fitted onto the stubb and tightened. Penatrating oil was then filled into the tube and left for two days to work through. The following day then consisted of going out to the garage every hour and trying to manover the wiper mechanism a little bit at a time until finally the oil penatrated throughout and released every last bit gunge. Finally another end plate was welded onto the other end of the tube and this was fitted with a grease nipple and the whole lot filled with grease then refixed onto the stubb and some light grade grease was squirted in!The mechanism now works fine after years of neglect. It may be a long slow way of doing it but is much easier than taking out the dash. I know as I tried that first!

[n/a]

Does anyone know if there is a fitting (MB part) available to allow one to grese the wiper shaft. It sounds like a worthwhile maintenance job to avoid disassembling the dash.

Regards,
Stan

[jeffc280sl]

Hi Stan,

I agree it a grease fittinhg on the wiper shaft would make a great preventative maintenance step.  I don't know if the shaft housing is thick enough to drill a hole and tap for a zerk fitting.  Even if this did happen it would be difficult, but not impossible, to get the the drivers side fitting.  I'll see what i can come uop with and advise.  While I had the dash apart I'm taking the working heater core out for service.  I'll let you know what the shop recommends.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[LFrank]

Jeff -

Where is your 280 serviced?

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl - auto
DB334/Hellblau