How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

[Richard R.]

How do you reinstall C3 wiper arms? Do I have to remove the entire wiper door drive system so I can get the brackets for vent grill out of the way?

[Alan S.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

Hi Richard,
The arms can be replaced with the wiper door installed but fully open. You use the wiper control switch under the steering column to stop the wipers in the vertical position.
There's a little 'tang' on the end of the wiper arm that snaps in place as the arm is slid onto the shaft. Various Corvette parts vendors sell a small tool that makes it easy to push on that tang to release the wiper arm so it can be slid off the shaft when removing the arm.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Richard R.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

I have the wiper door and the vent door off but with the tension it takes to straighten the arm out and then try to get your hands around the bracket for the vent door just does not work. Any othe suggestions?

[Chuck S.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

How do you reinstall C3 wiper arms? Do I have to remove the entire wiper door drive system so I can get the brackets for vent grill out of the way?

Why would you need to remove the brackets for the vent grill? BTW, the brackets for the vent grill ARE on the door open mechanism and you do not want to remove that mechanism unless it's absolutely necessary

The wiper transmissions have a splined shaft that the wiper blades slide onto. Others that have worked on wipers more recently will have to confirm, but I believe there is a spring latch that locks the blade onto the shaft. If you already have them off, reinstallation should literally be a "snap". The only concern should be getting the blades oriented properly on the splined shaft to avoid them hitting the windshield reveal molding.

Edit: If you do not have the wiper blades off yet, removal of the blade from the splined transmission shaft is likely to be difficult requiring you release the latch while simultaneously pulling the wiper off the shaft. Be careful with the wiper and door mechanisms...a lot of it is made out of aluminum and easily broken; if you have to replace that door mechanism, you'll understand the warning.

[Alan S.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

Hi Richard,
If you don't have time to get the tool I mentioned, you can use a fairly large screwdriver under the end of the arm to depress the tang and at the same time put upward pressure on the arm to begin to slide it off the transmission post. You can accomplish this without relieving the arm's tension.
Regards,
Alan

[Richard R.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

Alan

the problem is getting the arm back on. Their is so much tension when you straighten the arm out that you can't hold it straight and try to work around the brakets.

[Alan S.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

Hi Richard,
It's difficult but you can do it.
You have to make sure that the arm is lined-up perfectly with the flat area on the post. If you have it in the right position you can put enough downward pressure on the end of the arm to get it started on the post, you can then take the tension off the rest of the arm to get the end to slide all the way on to the post for the 'tang' to click into position.
Regards,
Alan

[Richard R.]

Re: How Do You Install C3 Wiper Arms

Alan

Thanks for the tip, it worked great.

Rich