Corvette Windshield Wipers Archives « Page 2 of 3

The 1956-1962 Corvette Wiper Arms were cable-driven from the Corvette’s Wiper Motor. A drum behind the firewall rotated multiple cables to each transmission. Fortunately, these transmission cables do not require adjustment on a regular basis; however, when adjustment is needed, either from cable stretching or following a new installation, Chevrolet designed a system where cable tension can be increased by simply pressing on the outer end of the transmission shaft.

To illustrate, each transmission has two spools – one for each drive cable. The inside face of each spool has cast teeth locking them together. When the transmission shaft is pressed down, the two spools separate and an internal spring allows the spools to rotate to their tightest position. Once pressure is removed from the transmission shaft, the spools are locked together again and the cables are tight against the wiper motor drum. When removing the transmission, the operation will require the help of an additional person. With one person pressing down on the wiper transmission shaft to “unlock” the spools, the second person (inside the Corvette) must pull against the cables, rotating the spools against the pressure of the spring. Once all the necessary slack is obtained, the wiper transmission shaft can be released and the spools will lock together. This slack will allow the cables to be removed from the wiper motor drum. The Corvette’s Wiper Transmission can then be removed.

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Corvette-Vacuum-System-Overhaul-1968-1982-feature

Malfunctioning headlights and/or wiper doors are very common on 1968-1982 Corvettes. Though the system may seem to be very complicated at first glance, it is actually very simple and can be troubleshooted by any “do-it-yourselfer” with basic hand tools and one free afternoon. Usually dry or cracked vacuum hoses and actuator seals are your culprits. If they are original, they have experienced a great deal of heat from the engine over many years. Would you like more information on how to replace your Corvette’s old actuator seals? Read our technical article: “1968-1982 Corvette Headlight Repair“ at Corvette Magazine.com.

To get started read through a 1968-1982 Corvette Vacuum System Troubleshooting Guide that comes with illustrated diagrams and information necessary to diagnose your Corvette’s Vacuum System. The troubleshooting guide goes into great detail about the vacuum system and will eliminate just about any frustration brought on by malfunctioning wiper doors and headlights.

If you get into your Corvette’s Vacuum System Overhaul and have replaced all hoses, valves, seals, etc. and still have issues with the headlights or wiper door not working properly you may have a problem within your Corvette’s vacuum control subsystem. The troubleshooting guide will go into more detail about the control subsystem and operating subsystem, which will help you gain a better understanding of your entire Corvette’s vacuum system. After reading the vacuum troubleshooting guide you will be able to accurately diagnose any problems with your Corvette’s headlight or wiper door vacuum system.

There are six different Corvette vacuum system configurations for 1968-1982 Corvettes. Zip has all six broken down into easy to read diagrams with installation instructions. These come with every overhaul kit we sell, but you can also click below to download the vacuum system diagram you need for free.

1968 Corvette	1969 Corvette	1970 Corvette
71-72 Corvette	73-79 Corvette	80-82 Corvette

Zip’s Corvette Vacuum System Overhaul Kit is great to have while repairing your Corvette’s vacuum system because it includes all components needed to fix the most common vacuum problems. Each kit includes color striped vacuum hoses, a replacement vacuum check valve, vacuum filter, a pair of replacement actuator front seals, wiper canister seal (’70-72 only), and a 1968-1982 Corvette Vacuum System Troubleshooting Guide.

Keep your Corvette’s vacuum system original and buy a complete kit from Zip Corvette with easy to read, accurate diagrams and instructions.

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Your windshield wiper motor has stopped working. You have checked the fuse. The wiper switch is good and you have power to the motor. Well, sounds like your Corvette’s wiper motor has finally kicked the bucket. Replacing the wiper motor is really a simple task and does not require any type of special tools.

If you have a 1977 to 1982 Corvette you need to know if you have a pulse wiper system or not. Since this was an option in some of the years, not all of the Corvettes came with this system, which allowed the wipers to delay as most cars do today. If your car is equipped with the pulse system you will need the pulse motor cover along with a new wiper motor. The reason for this is that all new motors are set for non-pulse movement. Changing the motor cover will convert the non-pulse motor to the pulse system. Now with our new wiper motor and tools in hand, let’s replace that worn out wiper motor.

Click Here to read the entire 1973-1982 Corvette Wiper Motor Replacement Article.

This week’s Corvette Question comes from Tammy who owns a 1979 Corvette:

How do I install the wiper motor on a 1979 Corvette?

Answer: When the windshield wiper motor on your Shark quits, it’s a fairly simple matter to replace it. It takes well under an hour and no special skills are required. Once you have an understanding of the procedure, mounting any C3 Corvette wiper motor will be easy and quick to do. Follow along as we show you how:

As with any work you are performing; don’t forget to disconnect the negative cable from the battery, just to be on the safe side.

1. If you have an aftermarket 1973-1982 Corvette Windshield Wiper Compartment Cover installed in your car, the first thing you’ll have to do is remove it so you can gain access to the wiper compartment. If you don’t have one of these covers installed, proceed directly to step 2.

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Today’s Corvette technical question comes from a 1970 Corvette owner:

How do you remove the wiper arms from a 1970 Corvette?

Answer: Original Corvette Wiper Arms are pressed on to a shaft, often referred to as a transmission that projects through the cowl of any 1956-1982 Corvette. The fit is very tight and over time, the wiper arms can really become “stuck” to these transmissions. Removal is not difficult, if you have the correct tool. Many Corvette owners have found themselves on the short end of a nasty paint scratch while trying to remove the arms from the transmission with a common screwdriver. The process can

be done, but is not worth the risk just because you want to save a few dollars by not purchasing a Corvette wiper arm removal tool. With this tool, your wiper arm removal will be quick and easy without risking damage to your Corvette. The tool simply hooks on to the bottom of the wiper arm elbow. Grab in one hand the wiper arm and tool handle, squeeze together and pull straight up. The tool creates the correct alignment of the elbow in order to bypass an inner spring clip. Once correct alignment is received, the arm pulls off with ease.

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Tag Archives: Corvette Windshield Wipers

Corvette Restoration Tip: Cable Driven Wiper Transmission

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Corvette Vacuum System Overhaul for 1968-1982

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Corvette Wiper Motor Replacement for 1973-1982 C3

How To Install a 1979 Corvette Wiper Motor

Corvette Wiper Arm Removal for 1956-1982

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