Floppy wiper spindle

P156KWJ · Nov 8th, 2020, 23:17

This may have been answered before somewhere, but my offside wiper spindle appears to be either very loose or worn, it has been hitting the bonnet for some time by the looks of things and prevents it being closed properly unless you hold the wiper arm out of the way. Wipers themselves function okay.

Is there some sort of usual suspect part that causes this or is it likely either the linkage or spindle itself is knackered?

magnuz · Nov 8th, 2020, 23:58

It's usually the spindle bushing that wears, don't know if you can get the bush seperately, or if you need to buy the whole linkage assembly ? but there is some useful info here https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...=152067&page=3

gatos · Nov 9th, 2020, 10:11

As Magnus said, it's the spindle that goes bad. There is some sort of hard plastic bushing and the metal shaft that rotates inside it. Over time, the metal shaft rusts a bit and it starts grinding the plastic but, until it becomes oval inside, allowing the shaft to have a lot of play. I've looked before to see if I can just replace the plastic bushing, but couldn't find anything. And even if there was something like that, the rusty metal shaft would start grinding it again.

So only solution really is to look for a good second hand one, or an aftermarket new one. They now go for as little as £29.43

https://m.autopartspro.co.uk/abakus-15378289

And here are a few more at higher prices
https://m.autopartspro.co.uk/volvo-c...-linkage-drive

mrfixer · Nov 9th, 2020, 12:26

The plastic bush is the same for both wiper spindles. I just swapped the near side for the offside obviously polished the shaft of the damaged one. I reamed out and fitted a plastic sleeve into the worn one and refitted it works fine now no more squeaking either hope this helps

P156KWJ · Nov 9th, 2020, 18:46

Cheers guys, looks like I'll see how it goes and if it gets much worse I'll swap the linkage out.

Only problem I can see is the Abakus branded one says for left hand drive, and that's what Skandix part numbers say too, or is it easier to buy one and just pinch the spindle off it to fit to the existing linkage?

gatos · Nov 9th, 2020, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by P156KWJ

Cheers guys, looks like I'll see how it goes and if it gets much worse I'll swap the linkage out.

Only problem I can see is the Abakus branded one says for left hand drive, and that's what Skandix part numbers say too, or is it easier to buy one and just pinch the spindle off it to fit to the existing linkage?

Oh crap. My mistake. Didn't realise it was for the left hand drive cars. Not sure if the spindles are exactly the same between that one and the Volvo one. If the ball joint is different even by a mm, then it would be an issue

Nov 8th, 2020, 23:17	#1
P156KWJ Senior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2022 16:57 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Nottingham	Floppy wiper spindle This may have been answered before somewhere, but my offside wiper spindle appears to be either very loose or worn, it has been hitting the bonnet for some time by the looks of things and prevents it being closed properly unless you hold the wiper arm out of the way. Wipers themselves function okay. Is there some sort of usual suspect part that causes this or is it likely either the linkage or spindle itself is knackered? __________________ Present: 2002 C70 2.0T, 2003 Saab 9-5 3.0 V6 TiD Past: 2002 S40 1.9D, 2002 S40 2.0T, 2004 S40 1.8, 2002 & 2004 V40 1.9D, 2006 Saab 9-5 2.3t Various other French and Italian boxes

Nov 9th, 2020, 10:11	#3
gatos Premier Member Last Online: Nov 15th, 2022 21:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London / Essex	As Magnus said, it's the spindle that goes bad. There is some sort of hard plastic bushing and the metal shaft that rotates inside it. Over time, the metal shaft rusts a bit and it starts grinding the plastic but, until it becomes oval inside, allowing the shaft to have a lot of play. I've looked before to see if I can just replace the plastic bushing, but couldn't find anything. And even if there was something like that, the rusty metal shaft would start grinding it again. So only solution really is to look for a good second hand one, or an aftermarket new one. They now go for as little as £29.43 https://m.autopartspro.co.uk/abakus-15378289 And here are a few more at higher prices https://m.autopartspro.co.uk/volvo-c...-linkage-drive __________________ Current car: 2002 S40 1.9D, 1992 240SE Nullius in Verba

Nov 9th, 2020, 18:46	#5
P156KWJ Senior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2022 16:57 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Nottingham	Cheers guys, looks like I'll see how it goes and if it gets much worse I'll swap the linkage out. Only problem I can see is the Abakus branded one says for left hand drive, and that's what Skandix part numbers say too, or is it easier to buy one and just pinch the spindle off it to fit to the existing linkage? __________________ Present: 2002 C70 2.0T, 2003 Saab 9-5 3.0 V6 TiD Past: 2002 S40 1.9D, 2002 S40 2.0T, 2004 S40 1.8, 2002 & 2004 V40 1.9D, 2006 Saab 9-5 2.3t Various other French and Italian boxes Last edited by P156KWJ; Nov 9th, 2020 at 18:52.

Nov 8th, 2020, 23:58	#2
magnuz Ancient Last Online: Yesterday 20:31 Join Date: May 2012 Location: chesterfield	It's usually the spindle bushing that wears, don't know if you can get the bush seperately, or if you need to buy the whole linkage assembly ? but there is some useful info here https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...=152067&page=3

Nov 9th, 2020, 12:26	#4
mrfixer Member Last Online: Yesterday 12:35 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Livingston	The plastic bush is the same for both wiper spindles. I just swapped the near side for the offside obviously polished the shaft of the damaged one. I reamed out and fitted a plastic sleeve into the worn one and refitted it works fine now no more squeaking either hope this helps

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