'72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

[Roger D.]

Having wiper door issues. Tested with a hand held vacuum test pump and proved the side of the wiper door actuator that "opens" the door loses vacuum very quickly. I suspect the seal on that side of the actuator is faulty. Paragon sells a replacement seal (see below)



Has anyone ever replaced one of these seals? If so, is it easy to do and also what have been your results?

Sorry folks, I know I always "ask" the questions. But once I learn enough from you guys then maybe I'll be able to actually "answer" a question or two someday.

[Jim T.]

Re: '72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

Has anyone ever replaced one of these seals? If so, is it easy to do and also what have been your results?

Roger I replaced my 70 over 20 years ago. I read in a Corvette magazine about using a baby bottle nipple to replace the seal and tried it.
I did not use the rubber baby bottle nipple mentioned in the article, elected to use the longer lasting silicone baby bottle nipple.
Used a sharp tool to cut a perfect round hole in the nipples end smaller than the shaft and installed it in the vacuum can and has worked perfect.
I don't know if the judges pull back the dust cover to inspect the seals or how many points in judging you would use. It is out of sight under the dust cover.

[Gary S.]

Re: '72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

I did not use the rubber baby bottle nipple mentioned in the article, elected to use the longer lasting silicone baby bottle nipple.

I can't believe that you admitted that on a public forum filled with (mostly) wrench-turning guys. Was this from your personal stash of NOS silicone baby bottle nipples or are these aftermarket.


Seriously, it shows how ingenuity overcomes adversity every time.

Gary

[Pat M.]

Re: '72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

Roger, I replaced this seal on my 70 and it was very easy and worked perfectly. There is sort of a lip on the bottom of the new one that you have to work into place, but it's very apparent what needs to be done and it's not hard. Good luck.

[Don L.]

Re: '72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

As fate would have it, I had this chore to do and planned it for today. The rubber on my old one hardened up with age, and rather than flex along the shaft, it instead pulled itself out of the actuator, causing a loss of vacuum and failure of the door opening. I took a run up to Paragon yesterday, picked up the part you attached a photo of above and replaced it in less than 20 minutes. Perfect! Works like a charm! Now, only if some of the other jobs would go this quickly and smoothly...

[Roger D.]

Re: '72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

Hmmmm... Jim a baby bottle nipple. Who would have thought. I would have though that the seal would have to have a specific tolerance fit in order to seal properly. Sounds like it is not really that critical.

Don, Pat, Jim, thanks for the replies. I'll get mine on order and change it out.

[Alan S.]

Re: '72 Wiper Door Actuator Seal

Hi Roger,
The baby bottle nipple may have a wider sealing tolerance than you may think since it replaces a part of varying size and must fit a part of varying size, and thus may find the actuator rod an easy fit.
Regards,
Alan