1974 Road Runner Wiper Linkage

[RR Fan Dan]

How do you access the wiper linkage. The wiper motor runs but the wipers are not moving (Well they moved once and stalled and I pushed them back into park). So I am pretty sure this is a linkage problem. In my previously owned 68 Super Bee the wiper linkage came through the firewall under the dash and was easily accessible. In my new 74 road runner not so much. I look under the dash and all I see is a mess of ventilation and other stuff crammed up against the fire wall. Do I have to remove all that stuff to get to the linkage or can I get to it from the top under the hood through the vents.

 

[YY1]

There are plastic caps that hold the linkage to the pivots.

They are available in a bulk pack of many assorted sizes in the "Help!" section of most parts stores.

I was able to get mine on by contorting myself and my arm through the vent access with a pair of slip joint pliers.

I've heard it's easier to take the pivots off.

 

[71Beeper]

You can access the linkage by taking off the cowl vent screens.
While your in there make sure the drainage port is not plugged by debris.
The drainage port is under the wiper motor and drains down the firewall in the engine bay side.
Here's where its located on my 71 (circled in red) - your 74 will be similar.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Thanks. I’ll take a closer look at the vent screens to figure out how to get in there.

 

[Car #4]

The cowl vent screens lift off very easily. See if you can determine whether one of the pivot points in the wiper linkage assembly has come undone. If your linkage is not connected properly you will have to remove the wiper arms and the three bolts that hold the wiper pivots in place. This will allow the wiper linkage assembly to drop down. Disconnect the wiper linkage from the wiper motor crank arm and remove the linkage assembly through the driver side cowl hole. There are plastic bushings that connect each piece of the assembly. They are available from Detroit Muscle Technologies, best price I found. This is how you do it for a 74 Charger, I expect RR is the same.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Thanks for all that. You been a big help. I’ll tackle the project this week and let you know how it goes.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Well it's fixed for now. The retaining clip came off so I put it back on. So far so good. I don't plan on using them but them not working bugged the **** out of me.

BTW what is the long arm that protrudes out on the drivers side wiper arm for?

 

[71Beeper]

It's a linkage arm that pivots the wiper blade so it is parallel to the vertical A-pillar when the wiper blade is at its farthest travel.
If that linkage wasn't there the wiper blade would not be parallel when going its farthest travel - it would be on an angle just like the passenger side wiper blade does.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

It's a linkage arm that pivots the wiper blade so it is parallel to the vertical A-pillar when the wiper blade is at its farthest travel.
If that linkage wasn't there the wiper blade would not be parallel when going its farthest travel - it would be on an angle just like the passenger side wiper blade does.

Thanks. Mines broken. Guess I need to fix that too.