I have had this failure several times and here is a cheap way of resolving the problem on a temporary or long term basis. A 2mm steel drill bit, a large washer and a split pin will be all that is need. Remove the wipers and fascia and the wiper assembly will come out easily. Drill a 2mm hole through the linkage pin, lubricate the assembly and reassemble adding a washer and insert the split pin the ensure washer is retained. Should take between 15 mins and half an hour to get your wiper back in action. A Picture sequence is below.
Punto (Mk2/2b) Cheap Fix for Wiper Failure
- Thread starter Goldenclogg
- Start date
Instead of making a new thread about the Punto wiper push rod problems, I would like to add another solution that is more permanent to this already excellent guide.
It is a well known problem that the wiper push rod system on type 188 (Punto Mark II) are not very durable when it gets a little worn.
The same thing happened for me last winter with my 188. The push rod i the drivers side, fell of. (why is it always the drivers side??)
After reading several threads about this problem, I found a link to Wipex, a UK company that makes OE parts including push rods to Punto Type 188.
The sleeves in their push rods are made of nylon where the original is made of rubber. The Wipex rods ARE BETTER and should therefore last longer, but no.
http://www.wipex.co.uk/Fiat Punto 2 99 04.htm
Today I had same problem again. The push rod in the drivers side, fell of again!??
The reason is the way how the joins are designed. The push rod is pushed down over a ball that sits on the wiper shaft. The Wipex system is better, but if there is a little rust on the ball, the sleeve wears out quickly and since there is no locking device, it comes of the shaft when the wipers are activated.
You can drill a hole and put a pin in it or you can do what I did.
I welded a washer to the axle and has locked the push rod in place permanently.
It is a quick fix to the problem and the whole operation from start to finish takes approx. 40 minutes.
A quick guide how to ....
1. Pull the wiper arm off the shaft
2. Remove the plastic shield under the wind shield. It is fixed with three small screws and is fixed to the rubber seal on the sides of the wind shield. To get the shield out from under the bonnet, it must bend gently in the middle.
3. Remove the two 10mm bolts holding the wiper system in place.
4. Replace or lock the rods in place with a washer and a pin or weld it.
5. Reassemble and adjust the wiper arms to correct angel.
Easy peasy
It is a well known problem that the wiper push rod system on type 188 (Punto Mark II) are not very durable when it gets a little worn.
The same thing happened for me last winter with my 188. The push rod i the drivers side, fell of. (why is it always the drivers side??)
After reading several threads about this problem, I found a link to Wipex, a UK company that makes OE parts including push rods to Punto Type 188.
The sleeves in their push rods are made of nylon where the original is made of rubber. The Wipex rods ARE BETTER and should therefore last longer, but no.
http://www.wipex.co.uk/Fiat Punto 2 99 04.htm
Today I had same problem again. The push rod in the drivers side, fell of again!??
The reason is the way how the joins are designed. The push rod is pushed down over a ball that sits on the wiper shaft. The Wipex system is better, but if there is a little rust on the ball, the sleeve wears out quickly and since there is no locking device, it comes of the shaft when the wipers are activated.
You can drill a hole and put a pin in it or you can do what I did.
I welded a washer to the axle and has locked the push rod in place permanently.
It is a quick fix to the problem and the whole operation from start to finish takes approx. 40 minutes.
A quick guide how to ....
1. Pull the wiper arm off the shaft
2. Remove the plastic shield under the wind shield. It is fixed with three small screws and is fixed to the rubber seal on the sides of the wind shield. To get the shield out from under the bonnet, it must bend gently in the middle.
3. Remove the two 10mm bolts holding the wiper system in place.
4. Replace or lock the rods in place with a washer and a pin or weld it.
5. Reassemble and adjust the wiper arms to correct angel.
Easy peasy
if you tell wipex theirs have failed they normally send out a new one straight away
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2010
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I am sure they would, but that dose not change the fact that the problem lies in the way, the rod system is build.
My passenger side failed a few years ago and the drivers side a few days ago.
If you want to save some time and money, you may want to give a 'temporary' Windscreen Wiper Repair Kit a go.
Sold on eBay by a number of sellers - I got the recent one from i6auto (item no. 151171435182 ... £2.95 for two)
NB. I have no connection to them.
A bit fiddly to get the clip on but you don't have to remove anything ... just slip the clip on and away you go.
You will probably have to curse a little before you are successful. Takes 5-10mins to do.
The first clip I fitted has held for about 4-5 years!
Hope this helps someone.
If you want to save some time and money, you may want to give a 'temporary' Windscreen Wiper Repair Kit a go.
Sold on eBay by a number of sellers - I got the recent one from i6auto (item no. 151171435182 ... £2.95 for two)
NB. I have no connection to them.
A bit fiddly to get the clip on but you don't have to remove anything ... just slip the clip on and away you go.
You will probably have to curse a little before you are successful. Takes 5-10mins to do.
The first clip I fitted has held for about 4-5 years!
Hope this helps someone.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2015
- Messages
- 18
- Points
- 7
My passenger side failed a few years ago and the drivers side a few days ago.
If you want to save some time and money, you may want to give a 'temporary' Windscreen Wiper Repair Kit a go.
Sold on eBay by a number of sellers - I got the recent one from i6auto (item no. 151171435182 ... £2.95 for two)
NB. I have no connection to them.
A bit fiddly to get the clip on but you don't have to remove anything ... just slip the clip on and away you go.
You will probably have to curse a little before you are successful. Takes 5-10mins to do.
The first clip I fitted has held for about 4-5 years!
Hope this helps someone.
Hi! Yeah well I hope this is gonna help me! Drivers side popped out yesterday and is currently held on with wire hahaha. Thanks for the tip!
Any tips for fitting? It's not very clear from their ebay page. Is it just a small silver clip that's designed to hold the linkage from popping out yeah?
Thanks,
Angus
