Rapid Robert
Well-Known Member
I was thinking that there would be a panel the unbolts that lets me get to the wiper linkage like on my ram van but that area is an solid extension of the firewall & no access there. thank you for your time. RR
how do I access the wiper assy? 73 dart
- Thread starter Rapid Robert
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missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
Deep dive under the dash is the only way.
Yep,,,under dash only .
I had to do that last June when I purchased my 73 ,,,,worked out well .
I have pics if you have a few questions of how the rods go back together ?
Tommy
I had to do that last June when I purchased my 73 ,,,,worked out well .
I have pics if you have a few questions of how the rods go back together ?
Tommy
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
Did my 75 a couple years ago. No shortage of cuts and scratches when I was done.
Yeah,,,,the guy I bought it from said it had never been in the rain .
He was second owner,,,,he knew the original owner,,,,said it had always been garaged .
Only had 24,000 miles on it,,,looked it too .
I was driving home and had some sprinkles,,,went to use them and they didn’t work .
When I went to repair it,,,I found both rods laying across the defrost duct work .
The old hard bushings gave up the ghost ,,,plus,,,the towers were froze in place,,,broke the bushings first try,,,lol .
I removed both towers,,,worked them free,,,,greased them up again.
Now my wipers work just like new,,,if I ever need them again,,,lol .
Tommy
He was second owner,,,,he knew the original owner,,,,said it had always been garaged .
Only had 24,000 miles on it,,,looked it too .
I was driving home and had some sprinkles,,,went to use them and they didn’t work .
When I went to repair it,,,I found both rods laying across the defrost duct work .
The old hard bushings gave up the ghost ,,,plus,,,the towers were froze in place,,,broke the bushings first try,,,lol .
I removed both towers,,,worked them free,,,,greased them up again.
Now my wipers work just like new,,,if I ever need them again,,,lol .
Tommy
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
Removing the instrument cluster does help some, you'll need to drop the steering column to get the cluster out, extra work, but at least then you kind of can see what you're doing and be sitting, instead of laying across the seat, contorting your back. Unless you enjoy that sort of thing. 
I did my 70 Dart years ago when I was much younger, and it had no interior in it.
I did my 70 Dart years ago when I was much younger, and it had no interior in it.
Removing the instrument cluster does help some, you'll need to drop the steering column to get the cluster out, extra work, but at least then you kind of can see what you're doing and be sitting, instead of laying across the seat, contorting your back. Unless you enjoy that sort of thing.
I did my 70 Dart years ago when I was much younger, and it had no interior in it.
Yes,,,,remove the cluster,,,,,I’m not certain the arms can be replaced without taking that out ?
That’s why it’s a good idea to remove the towers as well and grease them back up .
And I don’t believe you can press the nylon bushings back into place down there .
The 73 models take a different bushing than the late 60s models.
I had to put mine in a small press to get them to insert,,,,other people’s experiences may differ .
Tommy
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
My '75 has AC, so when I did those it was even more fun...
Yup, instrument cluster came out, glovebox liner came out, I believe I even took the HVAC control panel out. Still a PITA.
A word of caution: if you're replacing the bushings, don't get the cheap internet ones- they don't fit and are brittle as heck. Last time I checked you could still get them from Mopar (used same ones in some late model trucks, I guess), and I hear the Dorman ones are okay too.
Yup, instrument cluster came out, glovebox liner came out, I believe I even took the HVAC control panel out. Still a PITA.
A word of caution: if you're replacing the bushings, don't get the cheap internet ones- they don't fit and are brittle as heck. Last time I checked you could still get them from Mopar (used same ones in some late model trucks, I guess), and I hear the Dorman ones are okay too.
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
I agree with EVERYTHING said above. Let me say this: TAKE OUT THE FRONT SEAT(S).
It doesn't take that long and you will not regret it. It is so much easier to work under the dash with the seat out of the way. Then look at what you have to do. You may have to take the cluster out, but depending on what needs to be done, you might get lucky.
It doesn't take that long and you will not regret it. It is so much easier to work under the dash with the seat out of the way. Then look at what you have to do. You may have to take the cluster out, but depending on what needs to be done, you might get lucky.
suggested first step - remove front seat...
Just did this on my 74 dart sport. Remove or drop column to get cluster out. Remove glove box door and liner. You have access to both pivots and linkages. I was able to put part of linkage together outside of car and slide into dash, then attach last pivot on drivers side where it’s right in front of you. Then I reached through passenger side to get nut on wiper motor. This is on a ac car. Much easier than I thought. As stated above lube and replace pivot seals while your in there.
Absolutely!! Unless you're 4 feet tall and a contortionist, taking that seat out will make your life much easier.
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
Haha! I guess we should all do everything the hard way at least once....like a rite of passage, you know?
Rapid Robert
Well-Known Member
Yikes! very comprehensive info & very much appreciated. I googled the correct Dorman bushings for this & it gave me 49440. I just ordered 2 pairs from Ebay. the pass wiper blade is nonop. Might be awhile before I can tackle this! thanks guys, you are the best. RR
cudamark
Well-Known Member
If you have A/C, you're in for more of a project than non-A/C. If the arms are still attached at least to one end, take some photos of how they're attached, so, you get them back the same way. Having to do it all over again because you got a link backwards is a real bummer. Pull the entire wiper transmission out as an assembly and replace ALL the bushings. I like to lube and spin the pivots completely around too fully free them up too. Some of the earlier models you could rotate the base 180 degrees, which sometimes helps with wear, but, I'm not sure you can do that your year. Using a vice and some sockets the right size can help with installing the bushings. Good Luck!
Ok, I did this a few months ago on my 74 Duster. Good thing I looked at the Service Manuel. Take a look at it. I did not have to pull all that stuff. The Manuel says to loosen the Wiper Motor and tilt it to one side. Then you can access the nut that hold the arm from that end. To access the bottom of the arms take the front seat out and you can get in there (it's a pain though.) Taking pictures is good!
Shoulda ordered 4 pair. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them , especially when it's plastic pieces that can be damaged during reassembly.
Rapid Robert
Well-Known Member
I will go ahead & order 2 more pair. only the pass wiper is non op. I might let this slide for awhile!
cudamark
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind that if the link disconnected at the RH pivot, that the link will still move back and forth when you turn the wipers on, possibly sawing through wiring or hoses. It might even jam breaking something else.
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
Imagine being twisted like a pretzel working under the dash on the driver's side, and you get a bad cramp in your leg. It takes a minute to untwist yourself and get out of the car and on your feet. All that time the cramp is getting tighter and tighter. Ask me how I know.But where's the fun in that? Plus the memories!
When I was in my 20s and even 30s, I wouldn't bother - at 69 I sure do! If I had known how much easier it was rather than sitting backwards in the seat with my knees over the seat back and my calfs behind, I probably would have even taken the seat out then. As it was I made good money doing underdash work like swapping dash pads for folks that didn't want to do it themselves.
Rapid Robert
Well-Known Member
yeah it crossed my mind that it could be scraping that long link back & forth. but I didn't hear any sound
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