Rear wiper delete, "Alloy and Carbon"
There are a few other threads on this but I just did it yesterday and thought I'd post up my how to...
I used an Alloy & Carbon kit. Super easy to do, maybe 20 minutes tops. Probably took longer to create this post. The vendors website is down right now (www.alloycarbon.com) but they have them on ebay as well (here). They had a few styles, carbon fiber, anodized, and many OEM paint to match colors. An out of country vendor (Greece), but shipped promptly. Was about $40 shipped. Remove old rear wiper arm and motor assembly Outside car:
Outside car:
I know bumperplugs also has a solution, I think theirs is a plastic cap that is siliconed on to the car rather than a metal cap "sandwiched" into the opening with a fastener. But at $87 shipped for bumperplugs vs $40 shipped, I decided to try the alloy and carbon solution, though I think bumperplugs is a great company with awesome products. The kit. I ordered the domed cap, Arctic Silver. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7f507d6d20.jpg Before: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c657202c46.jpg After removing arm: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...57164b0ff7.jpg Trim piece inside and clips: https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...d7a9a64bb1.jpg Two nuts to remove wiper motor. Pull down and toward front to remove motor, only part that was a tiny bit tricky... https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c505f71e33.jpg Wiper motor: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...fa290f1108.jpg Disconnect electrical plug, tuck or zip-tie out of the way: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...9e2a7f11d4.jpg Hole you are left with. Clean if needed: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...8da05f8172.jpg Place cap, gasket, and threaded rod on outside. Have someone hold it in place: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...3b76d68f6f.jpg Put on pieces in order shown above, tighten: https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...fdca9ad455.jpg After: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...658ed13f23.jpg Looks great! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...64efdbd30c.jpg |
I just pulled the wiper and associated mechanical pieces and inserted a plug from https://www.bumperplugs.com/ (a Rennlist site sponsor) that is perfectly paint matched and a perfect fit. A bead of silicon between the plug and the body ensures a waterproof installation.
http://i63.tinypic.com/23krqqr.jpg |
I did the same as Dock and I'm happy with it, but it is more $ for fewer parts, as OP mentions (though more weight reduction ;)). The paint match is also perfect as far as I can tell. This looks like another good option.
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Originally Posted by pfbz
(Post 15558799)
I know bumperplugs also has a solution, I think theirs is a plastic cap that is siliconed on to the car
The paint color and clear coat on the plug looks like it was painted with the rest of the car at the factory. Eric (Bumperplugs owner) IMO produces great products. |
I did mention the bumperplug alternative in my oringal post. Eric is a great guy and both he and bumperplugs have a fantastic reputation as well as being a site sponsor. I personally just couldn't bring myself to spend $87 shipped on a painted plastic plug...
I'm not sure why the bumperplug version is so expensive in comparison to some other bumperplug offerings, eg: a pair of front bumper plugs is only $28. Perhaps the wiper plug a custom mold he's amortizing? The original reviews I read said it wasn't a perfect fit and it sounded like an off-the-shelf plug, but they were also much less expensive back then. Maybe a custom mold explains the change in fit description and the 3X price increase? Plus choices are always good. |
Originally Posted by pfbz
(Post 15558985)
The original reviews I read said it wasn't a perfect fit...
I received my plug from Eric and after removing all the mechanical stuff decided to do a test fit of the plug before using the silicon. The "problem" was this...the snap-in plug fits so tight that I couldn't remove it to add silicon and finish the job. I literally had to destroy the plug to get it out. I called Eric and told him that I had boogered up the plug and needed to order a new one. He said he would send me a new one free of charge. |
Originally Posted by pfbz
(Post 15558799)
The Bumperplugs plug has no external gasket, and fits flush with the car's surface (and lower vertically from the surface of the car to the top of the plug as compared to your unit). Just pointing out the differences for those wanting to chose one of the two. Bumperplug plug... http://i67.tinypic.com/2u97jww.jpg |
Dammit, Paul, another new project for my list. :grr:
And I'll be needing your wheels. |
Wow, you must REALLY hate the rear wiper to want to go through all that hassle. I liked my rear wiper a lot when it rained.
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Originally Posted by rick brooklyn
(Post 15559340)
Wow, you must REALLY hate the rear wiper to want to go through all that hassle. I liked my rear wiper a lot when it rained.
P.S. It isn't really any hassle at all pulling the wiper and installing the bumperplugs plug. You can even do the whole job by yourself. |
I believe Porsche has a plug from a 944 that is black and fits this hole perfectly and should be much less than $40.
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Can't say that the rear wiper offends me enough to remove it
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Originally Posted by docwyte
(Post 15559566)
Can't say that the rear wiper offends me enough to remove it
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Originally Posted by rick brooklyn
(Post 15559340)
Wow, you must REALLY hate the rear wiper to want to go through all that hassle..
Originally Posted by docwyte
(Post 15559566)
Can't say that the rear wiper offends me enough to remove it
If my Turbo was an all-weather car (which it is supremely capable of) and driven in heavy rain, snow, sleet, lots of highway grime, etc., the wiper makes sense. And while I can't say it's never driven in the rain, if the weather looks rainy or nasty, I will almost always take my other turbo, the 6,000 pound F150 Ecoboost :-) |
...and on the scratches, the wiper can do a number on the cars, I've seen on several cars.
For example, if the wiper is up, pulled away from the car (like when you're cleaning/waxing), and you then open up the engine cover (also, like when you are cleaning/waxing) it knocks the wiper arm down violently, usually flipping the wiper over backwards. It can impact the body/paintwork next to the rear window. |
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