Windscreen wiper wheel box -- replacement

[PhysDoc]

Hi all,

My Chim has been sat on the driveway for coming up two years. I am currently mid-way through a full body off restoration. Chassis done, and going back together.

Body is still off.

During its time sat outside, one of the wiper spindles has degraded and broken, presumably under the pressure applied by the wiper spring. It is loose and I can wiggle it about. Something has clearly broken inside.

I have taken off all the old heat shielding because it needed replacing, and to see what is under there that might allow access to the wheel box. I have removed a fibre glass panel that encloses the heater airways, and can now see a black panel that looks like it encases the wiper mechanism.

I am torn between trying to remove this whole panel or cutting access holes.

Is the panel removable without taking the windscreen out? Has anyone else ever encountered the need to do this to repair/replace the wiper wheel boxes

I have also disassembled the dash board sufficiently to replace the cracked walnut panel. The other alternative is access holes from inside the cabin, whilst my dash is apart, but this doesn't look straight forward either

Any advice greatly appreciated. All the option seem pretty drastic just to fix the wipers.

Cheers, Adam

Edited by PhysDoc on Monday 3rd June 22:36

[Adrian@]

Adam, there are access panels to get the wheel boxes on later cars is via the rear of the dash, if not, make them and blank them off after the work is done. A@

[PhysDoc]

Thanks for the reply.

My car is 96. I have not found any access panels, so think I shall need to facilitate access with a saw.

Any photos/ diagram of where I need to cut, please?

Is it just a single layer of fibreglass I need to cut through?

Edited by PhysDoc on Monday 3rd June 12:47

[Adrian@]

Sorry I don't as the last time I did it I did not take pictures (there a good chance someone will have pictures).
But, image a radio sized aperture behind the pinion in the shell/dash upright (that then you create a larger FG piece that seals and screws/sealant over what you have cut out). Coming in through from the front is as easy (the black panel is a such the heater distribution box), so it will need to look pretty and be sealed. An oscillating multi tool will do the job (drill one hole as a start point) A@

[PabloGee]

I had an issue where the wiper screen wash hose had popped off (when frozen) us set that area.
I had to cut a hole from the inside - dash top off, then carefully plot what you’re doing. I used an oscillating multi tool saw thing, made it very easy.







Then sealed it back up with some polypropylene, a couple of cupboard connector bolts, and some silicone.

I’d advocate doing it on the inside not the outside to help keep the rain out.

[PhysDoc]

Thanks for the photos!

It looks from the middle picture that there are two fibreglass panels to cut through.

Does opening up this hole allow air that should go through the demister vents to escape elsewhere between the narrow gap between the panels? Does that make sense?

[PhysDoc]

Just looking closer at your 3rd picture.

Do you have a panel sealed up on the inside too?

[Adrian@]

Yes to the two walls (seal around the edges) here is what I use to bond there.
https://www.selcobw.com/light-grey-trim-adhesive
I use a different colour simply sealant to do the new top panel as I may want to go in there again and 'cure-it adhesive' will need cutting through it is that good at adhering FG. A@

[PabloGee]

To echo Adrain, yes it's two panels, I wasn't expecting that when I started.
Good question on the vents, I hadn't actually thought of that, so can't answer definitively.
What I did surmise though: the space with the wiper mechanism is not part of the air flow to the vents - I actually don't know how that bit works, but my air vents work as intended. The gap between the two panels is tiny, and there is a layer of aluminium heat shielding I cut through, so I'm not convinced it's part of the air flow.

Yes, I added two pieces of polyprop (cut them from a storage box lid, the wife almost immediately asked me what happened to that random box from the loft, how she knew I will never work out), hence the cupboard bolts (also known as inter-screws), which pulls them together and squished the silicone a little more too.