Vectra Wiper Linkages Gone

pennypincher3562

Hi

My Vectra wiper linkages appear to have gone (ice.)

Someone told me that these can be DIY repaired with a zip tie - does anyone know if it's an easy job for an amateur?

If I can't do it myself, any ideas how much it will cost for a garage to do it?

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

Spicy_McHaggis

What year?

I did it with a 52 plate, it's a case of removing the cover and popping the ball joint back in. Then securing with a cable tie, may need a couple of attempts to get it in the right place, from what I can recall it was round the ball joint but between the two arms that attatch to the wipersm will make sense when you see it.

Really easy and was still there when I sold it.

nickcc

You can usually buy repair clips off ebay that prevents the ball joint popping off, I bougt one for one of my previous cars and it was still on after two years, cost app £4 each.

forgotmyname

Never switch wipers on in icy weather unless you have checked that they are not frozen to the screen.

A cable tie will work if the balljoints just popped off. Not if its broken.

pennypincher3562

It's a 2007 Vectra. I had a look under the bonnet just now. Too dark to really do anything at this moment. Im not familiar with car jargon e.g. 'ball joint' etc.

I will post some photos here tomorrow, and hopefully someone can advise me if can do a DIY repair on it or not.

Thanks
PennyPincher 3562

Spicy_McHaggis

Does just the drivers side wiper work?

That was the symptom I had of a popped ball joint.

pennypincher3562

Hi Spicy Mchaggis

Actually the wipers fly all over the place, and actually crash into each other.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

nickcc

If you put vectra wiper linkage in your search engine you'll find quite a few YouTube videos that show how to repair, including using the clip I described earlier. This should help you, hopefully, if no one comes back on in time tomorrow.

pennypincher3562

Thanks Nickcc

I have seen one or 2 interesting youtube vids on linkage repair. Will post some photos of the wipers tomorrow.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Inner_Zone

It will need new pushrods with the white ball joints, were about £36 on Ebay or about £100 from a dealer. The repair kit clips only work on the older brown ball joints. But a pig to fit and the plastic grill (scuttle panel) and wiper arms have to come off completely. Will take about 1 to 2 hours to set the timing correctly. Had the same issue with my previous Vectra nearly two year ago.

Or you cold try the cable tie repair but it probably wont last very long:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?180353-Wipers-popped-off-the-push-rod&highlight=wiper+cable+tie+repair

pennypincher3562

Hi Inner Zone

Thanks a lot for the quick response. It looks like I won't be able to do this job myself, and will need to take it to a garage.

Any ideas how much the job should cost in total at a garage?

Cheers
PennyPincher3562