Vacuum wiper repair?

Are the vacuum wipers repairable, and is it even worth trying? Wanting to remain mostly original, but those things suck, plus a manual for the passenger.

 

They can be dismantled, cleaned up and lubed carefully, and sometimes work better. I think some parts are still available.

There are professional rebuilding services WiperMan.COM - Wipers, Wipers, Wipers, but they cost about the same as NOS units. Check Hemmings.

Are yours hooked to the vacuum pump as well as the manifold? Is your pump pulling a good vacuum? No leaks in the lines?

 

Mine didn't work very well - I injected some ATF oil through the vacuum line and they worked good for awhile. Then the valve got stuck - so I took both of them apart and cleaned up the old gook from the valve. This is an easy job since there is no tricky gasket to reproduce. They currently both work as they should but I would not trust them in heavy snow - I doubt that they have enough humph to clear the windshield.

I know one day I will likely have to rebuild them from scratch.

 

Thats the reason I really like the military version with the manual-assist handle.

 

I have not made a decision but hate to spend time messing with only to be disappointed. Trying to use them over the weekend, I tested the vacuum just to make sure there was so, but did not put a gauge on it. But I could hear vacuum leaking as I pulled the switch on.

 

If you go electric you should avoid the cheaper ones, and spring for marine-grade or equivalent.

 

Are the ones Walcks and Kaiser have the good or cheap? They are $40 each side.

 

That sounds like omix-ada. The good ones cost about $100 each.

 

What PeteL said. I got mine from Defenders Marine. They were a little costly but it's important to me. You hope you never need them, but when you do, you need them.
The ones I bought were sealed saltwater proof units for boats. I had to make wedges and weld them on the windshield frame to mount them square to the glass.

 

100% agree with you - they should not exist without that feature.

 

Where do you get the military ones?

 

Try this site: M38 and M38 Parts for Willys M38 Jeeps

 

The PO put Bosch electric motors/wipers on the CJ-5 I have. They work nicely and mount easily. Don't know what they cost, but I will see if I can remember to get some numbers off of them and take a couple of pix for you. They are small but powerful DC motors. Fired right up after sitting for 6 years outdoors, so they are probably rugged, too. I took them apart -- the come apart easily -- cleaned them out, undercut the mica on the commutator, cleaned and shaped the brushes, lubed the bearings and now they run great.

 

Would appreciate it.

 

They are all over ebay, Often NOS.

 

Other than the manual ability, are they better, more capable or just different than the CJ?

 

To my best knowledge all vacuum wipers are about the same. Just that the Military editions added an external manual assist lever, which I have found very helpful. And the fact there seem to be plenty of un-used military parts still on the shelf somewhere.

On my '57 CJ there is just a manual wiper on the passenger side, no vacuum at all. I kind of like that option too. Never fails.