Wiper linkage on new style corsa?

immoral_angeluk

Bit of a shot on the dark but wondering if anyone can help.

I have a 2008 3 door vauxhall corsa (1.2).

Stupidly turned my wiper blades on not realising one of the wipers as stuck frozen to the window.
Took it to kwikfit, they refused to even look at it, saying it's a main dealer job.
Took it to nationwide autocentres and was quoted £400 :eek: for a new wiper linkage assembly which apparently is a whole part on the new corsa including motor, and you can't just buy the linkage. Either way I nearly died at being quoted £400.
Got a quote from Vauxhall, part is £180ish, and it'd be £308 all in inc VAT/labour.
Went to an indie mechanic, he's said if I buy the part off ebay etc they'll fit it for £50 as it's a straight forward job which takes no more than an hour and a half. Alternatively they could order the part in but it would cost more (he estimated £120-£150) Obviously this is my best option and I've been totally put off national chain garages/main dealers for life. Rip of merchants.

Trouble is now finding the right part as I've never bought parts to be fitted before, and I've found some on ebay but I'm not sure if they're right. The price varies from £80 second hand to £180 brand new! :eek:

Looking for a bit of guidance as I've very scary of the cost implications of getting it wrong and currently I can't drive the car legally or risk it in rain/snow as the drivers wiper isn't working properly!

laurence_p

just looked on ebay for corsa d linkage and it brought up a pair of uprated one for 30 quid new. according to the seller you can pop the old ones off and fit the new ones. hope this helps

immoral_angeluk

Thanks, I'm worried though as both both vauxhall and two garages (including an independant) said it comes as a complete set including motor as it doesn't come apart. Hmmm. Might call the indie garage again...

laurence_p

i have a 2010 zafira and just checked my haynes manual and it says you can remove the linkages from the motor just by prising the joint off, i cant see yours being different . you need to find out exactly what is wrong whether it is the motor or linkage or anything else. the linkage will be held on with a small ball joint. the only thing i can suggest is removing the linkages and seeing if the motor still works if it does id have thought it was just the linkages that need changing.

The_Turner

If the motor is still working the drivers side should still work.

immoral_angeluk

The motor still works as the wipers move, but there's no control of the drivers side so it flicks back and goes over the edge of the window, they reckon the linkages are bent or something like that?
How would I check? I have no idea about how to get to it as apparently you have to strip off all the plastic?

Think I might get a lift to Halfords to get a haynes manual.

Hammyman

Strip off all the plastic. If they're bent then straighten them by hand. If they've just popped off the kuckle, push them back on.

immoral_angeluk

I'm going to nip to Halfords tomorrow and get a haynes manual and have a look at it myself. I keep being told it's a straight forward job so I'm going to have a look and see if it's something I could do myself before paying a garage to fit something. I haven't yet bought the part but going to look at the haynes manual first. Least it's the weekend soon so I'll have time to look!