Windshield Wiper illz (1976)

Carmine

Old Man with a Hat
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Anyone know the best source/part#/actual name for the small, nylon wiper motor bushing used in 1976? (pic below). I found them on Autozone, but a lot of Dorman parts are low-grade... thought maybe there was a better repop.

https://www.autozone.com/collision-...ing/help-wiper-arm-linkage-bushing/722730_0_0

If you want to read my boring/exciting story from about a month ago, it's copied from an email to a cousin and below the break.

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how nice it was to switch back to a big, wide car after driving a short wheelbase truck all winter… Even though it’s 42-years old and yesterday was a virtual curtain of rain, I felt quite at ease pushing into the big sweepers on I-75. (I’m sure my cop rims and new tires help.) That’s exactly what I was doing yesterday morning when I came up on a big semi in the center lane.


So I put the blinker down, mash the pedal and kick those 3-speed wipers into “spaz” setting. I’m right next to the 18-wheeler when I hear “BAM! WHAM! POW!” and I think WTF did I just hit!? Then I quickly realize I can’t see a damn thing! I mean I’m Ray Charles-Stevie Wonder BLIND! So I gently back out of the gas and I can make out the semi’s taillights leaving me behind. Thank God it was about 5 AM and there’s no one near me, I start moving to the right.


The last sign I remember seeing said “M-59, 5 miles” so that’s about how far I am from Chrysler Drive. None of the exits around here are lit, and there isn’t much when you get to the bottom. But if I stop, I will surely get blasted when somebody thinks my stopped car on the shoulder is a lane of traffic. So I creep along, just barely able to make out the right lane, and by “creep” I really mean 55-60, the bare minimum not to get rear ended. I finally recognize the blurry shape of CTC and I swear it was just muscle-memory that got me down the exit ramp. Once on the lit-up property; thankfully I could make out the garages and made it into a spot without killing anyone.

Of all the times for a stupid-*** $0.42 cent nylon bushing to fail.

I thought maybe I could make it home in the daylight, but I quickly abandoned that idea and crept back into the garage. Screw that. It’s not like I don’t have other cars. I called my dad and had him come pick me up, so I had a nice calm ride home in a new Pacifica. My dad asked “what are you going to do with your car?” and I said “I’m going to leave it in this massive parking garage like everybody else does until the tires are flat.” (Just kidding) On the way home he reminded me that back in 2000 he was driving a company minivan from Centerline to CTC and a semi lost a windshield-sized piece of ice right in front of Chrysler drive on 75. It instantly blew out his whole windshield. Like me, he straggled in. So I guess it’s genetic.

IMG_20180319_153153.jpg
 
I don't think there's any way you're going to distinguish the quality of the bushing from one source or another.
Wouldn't be surprised if they all came from one manufacturer anyway.
 
I don't think there's any way you're going to distinguish the quality of the bushing from one source or another.
Wouldn't be surprised if they all came from one manufacturer anyway.

I think I recall the Dorman ones I used years ago as subpar compared to the "feel" of OEM. I'm also trying to make sure I get the motor bushing, not the smaller wiper linkage.

However, you're probably right about one manufacturer.
 
I lost a clip on my 73 barracuda once, ended up taking the laces off my boots and running them out both door windows to the wiper arms, tied them together inside and had manual wipers for 50 miles.


Alan
 
I lost a clip on my 73 barracuda once, ended up taking the laces off my boots and running them out both door windows to the wiper arms, tied them together inside and had manual wipers for 50 miles.


Alan

Actually... is '76 a metal clip or nylon bushing? I don't recall.

I've heard the shoelace trick, but stopping wasn't much of a safe option that morning. Thank God I go in so early.
 
This isn't an answer to you question but for what it's worth Rain-X is some great stuff. I use it on my semi's(4 of them), my pick ups, and my Fury. The only time I need wipers is to knock of the morning dew. My windshields stay clear in even the hardest of downpours and with close to 4 million miles under my belt I've been in some serious downpours.
 
Actually... is '76 a metal clip or nylon bushing? I don't recall.

I've heard the shoelace trick, but stopping wasn't much of a safe option that morning. Thank God I go in so early.
It was the large washer with the finger that locks it on, the finger broke off. Once home and not raining I ended up taking one of the clips from a different location (that wasn't inverted) and moved it to the drive arm. The broken one stayed on the other point till I sold the car.


Alan
 
t
This isn't an answer to you question but for what it's worth Rain-X is some great stuff. I use it on my semi's(4 of them), my pick ups, and my Fury. The only time I need wipers is to knock of the morning dew. My windshields stay clear in even the hardest of downpours and with close to 4 million miles under my belt I've been in some serious downpours.

I have Rain-X on there and it wasn't cutting it, nor did it help at lower speeds where there wasn't enough "wind" to push the water off the glass. That's why I aborted my afternoon trip home. Just driving 25 on-campus I could barely see people in crosswalks and I couldn't be assured there wouldn't be stop/go on the trip home.
 
Chrysler still carries the small bushing. Tell them it's for a 1996 or newer RAM van. And there is a huge difference in quality. The OEM part is a ton better than Dorman or Help bushings.
 
Chrysler still carries the small bushing. Tell them it's for a 1996 or newer RAM van. And there is a huge difference in quality. The OEM part is a ton better than Dorman or Help bushings.

Thank you, and that's exactly the advice I was looking for! Stopped on the way home tonight. I bought 4 of them, and it does appear the one on the motor is the same as the linkage pieces.

Part# and cost below.

IMG_20180321_204312.jpg


IMG_20180321_204252.jpg
 
6.95 List each.
My local monopolist would then mark UP the list price 20% :elmer:
 
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6.95 List each.
My local monopolist with then mark UP the list price 20% :elmer:

The quality of this NOS bushing is like night day compared to the Dorman or Help bushing.

And to me the price is worth every penny to get that quality. Unfortunate that people will mark the price of this stuff up.
 
Thank you, and that's exactly the advice I was looking for! Stopped on the way home tonight. I bought 4 of them, and it does appear the one on the motor is the same as the linkage pieces]

Correct......they are the same for all of the bushings including the wiper motor. 1978 is the only year they went to that big cam setup.

Which makes me believe Chrysler could of been thinking of extending the C-body production past 1978. Why would Chrysler make so many changes to the 1978 C-Body knowing production would end after 1978.
 
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