68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

[Harmon C.]

I have noticed that the metal washer tubes seem to not have any paint on them when the arms still look good on some of unknown originalty. Were the tubes painted and it fell off or were the tubes unpainted?

[Jim T.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Just looked at my original owner 70 washer tubes. Mine appear unpainted and have a grey/charcoal metal color. Did discover during this examination that the vacuum relay that is depressed when the wiper is at rest on the the passenger side has lost the top part of the accordian style rubber piece and I discovered that the spring inside is rusty. Another part to buy.

[Lee McGlamery]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Hi Lyle - The brass tubing, according to the 1970-1972 Technical Info and Judging Manual, is painted flat black just like the wiper arms. The info in on page 32.

Lee

[Harmon C.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Jim This is what I thought might be the case as the ones I have the tubes are dark also.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Lee It is easier to restore all black and match the book but I will keep looking into this as it may have changed in different years.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Jim-----

You're in luck; the part you need is still available from GM. It's GM #5638487 and it's about $45 GM list.

[bruce11495]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Joe..........Is that the same # for both sides? They have different configurations don't they? Do they fit from 68-72?
Thx Bruce

[Jim T.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Joe Lucia
Thanks for the part verification still in GM's inventory and the part number. The parts GM has for our cars after all these years amazes me.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Bruce The part number joe gave was not for an arm but a door part found needing replacement when checking original arms.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Lyle and Bruce-----

Yes, the part number which I provided is for the inter-locking valve/switch which Jim described as being deteriorated on his car. Only 1 is used per car. The wiper arms are unique to each side of the car and are both long-since GM-discontinued.

[bruce11495]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes...Thx *NM*

[Terry M.]

[Juliet P.]

Re: 68-73 Wiper Arm Washer Tubes

Thanks for the heads up Terry. I do have some photos comparing what I believe is an original valve and the GM Service replacement. I just put them back up on my website. The GM replacement I purchased appx. 2 years ago, so the configuration may not still be the same. ~Juliet

http://www.annapolis.net/julepage/WiperBay.html

http://www.annapolis.net/julepage/WiperBay.html

[Harmon C.]

Terry

What do you feel on the washer tubes painted or unpainted, fell off , dark colored not painted ?

[Terry M.]

Re: Terry *TL*

Now that you put me on the spot..... When we did the 1970-72 TIM&JG a few years ago our best guess was a coating of some kind (note I deliberately did not use the word paint). Those tubes do look like there is some kind of coating on them, but we did not have the luxury of seeing a brand new set.
Given that everything else on the whole wiper assembly was low-gloss black, including the spine of the wiper blade, and on some arms when the plastic retainers were moved there was an un-coated area under them, we concluded the arm and tube all had the same finish.
It certainly would be nice to see the original prints, just to be sure.