10mm nut on wiper shaft spins freely

[ChronicTiger]

85 Vanagon, passenger side.

Has anyone had this issue? Attempting to pull the wiper arms to clean up the splines and add proper washers BUT....

The 10mm nut on the wiper shaft just spins freely, it wont advance in either direction.

Advice?

Thanks!

[MarkWard]

If you are lucky, its just the nut threads that have failed. If you have access to power tools, a small impact gun while pulling up on the arm, you might get lucky and spin the nut off.

Other option is to try and split the nut, not easy because it's recessed in the arm.

This is one of those jobs the more time you take, the less time it takes. If the threads on the shaft are toast, I believe you can still by replacements, but you are likely looking at pulling the dash for access on your first go around. The other option I've heard of is to remove the threaded piece and then drill and tap the shaft for a bolt. Good luck.
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[ChronicTiger]

[bobhill8]

If you haven't read this yet, it can be helpful:

https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=145
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1986 Westy
1971 Squareback

[ChronicTiger]

[Vanagon Nut]

Lever arm up with piece of wood or plastic while turning nut?

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

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[Steve M.]

Anything you can get between the bottom of the nut and the shaft to put some pressure toward the end of the shaft might help.
You need to be cautious as trying to stick something like a small screwdriver #2 in there can dangerous to you A screwdriver is nothing but a knife with a flattened end.
If you have a small dykes like flush cut might work to get the edges under the nut while turning the nut.

Or as said between the bottom of the wiper arm and the body to add pressure to engage any threads.
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[ChronicTiger]

Heyyyyy! Got it off thanks to the good advice here. Threads on shaft beat down. I think the PO put the wrong nut on. Who knows. I’m going to use a hand die and cut some new threads. Prob not enough meat to recut 10mm threads. I’ll try and then step down. Think this is a decent plan?

[DuncanS]

If the nut doesn't need much torque--see above posts, I wonder if a coupling nut with JB Weld might be able to restore the threads.

[Steve M.]

New shafts are available at the venders.

https://www.vancafe.com/251955215-p/251955215.htm
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[djkeev]

Run a 6mm die over the suspect threads, it MAY reform them.

It may not.

But it is worth the try.

Dave
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[DanHoug]

[ChronicTiger]

Here is the suspect wiper shaft.....

[ChronicTiger]

[ChronicTiger]

[Californio]

Half ass solution, but it looks like you could put a few washers in there so the new nut holds to the "good" part of the shaft threads. Or if the nut really moves that freely, use two nuts one on top of the other.

The real way to do it is to pull the shaft and put a new one in there. Don't tighten that thing down too hard or you'll strip it again. It doesn't need to be that tight as the wiper arm is torqued by the spline.

[16CVs]

I did the old cut it off and drill and retread before I read the GW article. Works really well.

You can change the drivers side ass without pulling the dash. I still think I would cut and drill before I replace the shaft. It was more positive than my stock un modified one is.

Stacy
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[DuncanS]

Take a metric bolt whose thread pitch and diameter match what the shaft used to have. Degrade them with a wire wheel and sand paper. Then take a nut and thread it on this "compromised" thread. Heat it red hot with a hand held mapp torch and hit it with a hamer and "forge" the nut to the degraded threads. When cool. take the nut and give it a try. Total cost, a ruined bolt from FLAPS or ACE.

Iffy, but better than removing the dash.

Or heat the nut red hot and thread it on the shaft and with Vice Grips, squeeze it down.

[alaskadan]

I broke a stud off once. Drilled and tapped it too. Didn't want to pull the dash. Worked fine.

[Vanagon Nut]

As an absolute last resort or possible option in lieu of a nut (edit: or new smaller screw)....

drill horizontal hole at shaft above splines, insert roll pin?

Ideally, though tricky, one might locate the hole a hair lower than where nut seats. i.e. the jam fit and compression of roll pin would force the arm down against the tapered splines.

BUT....

IIRC, the wiper arm part where nut seats is soft (pot metal? like the window roller arms?) so might be prone to cracking.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN