74 Spider Wiper Mechanism Removal

[3505jd]

I am trying to remove the wiper mechanism from the cowl on a 74 spider. Chrome nuts are off but the wiper posts won't release from the cowl. Am I missing some other required disconnect?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Have you taken off the cowl, flipped it over (being careful not to scratch the paint), and removed the bolts/nuts that hold the wiper motor in place? The chrome nuts you removed are only part of the story.

If you did the above, then the wiper motor and linkages should come loose. If not, they sometimes get stuck to the underside of the cowl, but some gentle tapping should pop them off.

-Bryan

[3505jd]

I had done all that you mentioned and have the cowl on the bench. I repeatedly sprayed penetrating oil on the posts over a few days and have done more than gentle 'tapping' but the posts will still not come out of the post covers.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

That is odd. Once the large chrome nuts are removed, the wiper spindles should drop down out of the cowl and the black cone things.

Just to make sure I'm on the same page, when you say "posts" you are talking about these two guys, right?
https://autoricambi.us/wiper-linkage-shaft-cover-oem/

-Bryan

[3505jd]

What you call spindles I have called posts. Still no luck getting the spindles (posts) to drop out. I know it should be easy but it definitely isn't.

Jim

[3505jd]

Decided to just go for it and pounded the spindles out with a large rubber hammer. Unbelievable how a metal spindle can rust and lock into a plastic sleeve. Didn't damage the cowl either Sanding and painting next.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Glad you got it free. What usually happens is that the central shafts of those posts rust solid in the outer metal housing, with the result that the wipers run slower and slower until they eventually lock up. Definitely worth dribbling some WD-40 or the like down the shafts, letting it sit overnight, work the mechanism to make sure it's free, repeat as necessary, then drizzle some oil down the shafts. Some people even drill a small hole in the outer housing in which to dribble more oil. I've never had to do that, but I've never had spindles that were completely frozen.

-Bryan