Replacing wiper transmission linkage

[mclasser]

This part has been confirmed bad on my Accord by both the dealer and my indy. I'm going to do the job myself but should I go with an OEM replacement or not? The cheapest OEM part online I found is $130 shipped while aftermarket is less than half that. I mainly try sticking with OEM Honda due to the high quality but is there any harm in going aftermarket with something mechanical and simple like this linkage?

 

[crazyoildude]

if the honda part is such high quality why are you replacing it?? Some aftermarket parts are just as good or even better...Honda is not at all what it used to be which is a good thing for us in the auto repair business

 

[Trav]

I agree with the other poster, if the OEM is a common well known failure point then its a bad part and definitely go with aftermarket, many times they correct the defect in design or materials.

GM 3800, some Ford diesels and others had oil pans that rusted like nothing you have ever seen, putting new old stock OEM would be insane, it the same junk steel, always aftermarket in these cases.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Gawd we don't fight the rust like you poor folks up there in the Frozen North, but even we do not blindly buy OEM pieces.

This requires some familiarity with the particular platform as Trav mentioned, you have to know when the aftermarket has actually developed a superior item for you...

 

[Trav]

I cant imagine working on a car without a smoke wrench, needle scaler, penetrating oil and impact guns. LOL

 

[MarkM66]

It has lasted 12 years. Will the car still be on the road in another 12?

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I cant imagine working on a car without a smoke wrench, needle scaler, penetrating oil and impact guns. LOL


I agree. The people that baulk about using a torch have never experienced the joys of working on cars up here. Makes life almost easy...

 

[George7941]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I cant imagine working on a car without a smoke wrench, needle scaler, penetrating oil and impact guns. LOL


What is the needle scaler for? For cleaning up gasketed surfaces?

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: mclasser
The cheapest OEM part online I found is $130 shipped

It sounds like you're replacing the entire linkage. Why are you doing that? Did your wipers stop working? The part that usually wears out is pretty cheap. There is a simple test you can perform to determine exactly which part of the linkage is worn. Post back here if you want to know the test.

See this part diagram:
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto...INDSHIELD+WIPER
The part that usually wears out is #10 on the diagram, listed here for $23.87.

Wear comes in the form of the little plastic cups wearing through and the linkage getting sloppy or falling apart. And the usual reason that happens in the first place is folks using their wipers to clear heavy snow from the windshield. That puts enormous strain on the plastic cups.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: George7941
Originally Posted By: Trav
I cant imagine working on a car without a smoke wrench, needle scaler, penetrating oil and impact guns. LOL


What is the needle scaler for? For cleaning up gasketed surfaces?


No its for cleaning metal (steel and iron, its rough on soft metals) parts of rust scale.
A rusty frame that you want to undercoat or paint would be a perfect application for the needle scaler to remove the scale and rust quickly.
Wipe it down with lacquer thinner, dry it and apply the product, it has a good surface to adhere to.

 

[George7941]

Ok. Never owned a needle scaler but will look into it.