Community Forums:

I replaced the wiper motor on an 89 244 this morning. It was getting very noisy and setting itself up for failure- probably at a most inopportune time.

I pulled one from an 81 242 parts car. It worked fine and operated quietly.

I thought I would give everyone a heads up on the fact that while the motors are interchangeable their "driveshafts" are a different diameter. There is a rubber grommet that acts as a seal on the metal panel just below the metal surface that the motor mounts on. If you happen to purchase a wiper motor from a car at the recycler be sure to get that grommet after you remove the motor. The later model cars have a grommet that has a larger opening to accommodate the bigger shaft and the grommet on the earlier cars has a smaller opening. They are definitely NOT interchangable.

I also found that the sealing putty that acts as the first water barrier responds well to being kneaded along with some applied heat. Work it into a pancake shape about 2" in diameter and then enlarge a hole that you poke in the center to surround the shaft. When you draw down the three bolts it will make a nice seal.

Randy