'68 Type 1 Wiper Frame Question

Have just replaced the wiper shafts on my Beetle (WW repros) and am wondering whether the wiper frame (coat hanger shaped bit) should have a slight bend in it or should it be straight. Mine has a slight bend from end to end away from the motor.
Cheers...........Wayne

hulbyw wrote:Have just replaced the wiper shafts on my Beetle (WW repros) and am wondering whether the wiper frame (coat hanger shaped bit) should have a slight bend in it or should it be straight. Mine has a slight bend from end to end away from the motor.
Cheers...........Wayne

Hi Wayne

From memory, it has a bend...
the wiper shafts on the 68 are the small round type
similar to 6 volt shafts..
I don't have a spare to look at...
Did You get a replacement wiper frame too?
they were probably used on updated German 66 and the one year only 67 beetle...

the shafts etc all changed on 1969 models...

My Son actually changed a wiper frame by cutting and welding
a few years ago... maybe a 12 volt into a 6 volt car???

LEE

Lee, I just bought the shafts. From what I have been able to find out, '68 shafts are almost unique to that year. The WW repros are not great but much better than my old worn out ones. I will take the assembly to a local VW shop to seek their advice about the arm shape before I refit it to the car
Cheers....Wayne

Yes unique to Australian 1968 but used in German made maybe 66 and the one year only 1967 German beetle...

the shafts may be available from some older VW shops.??

You can of course change over to the later wiper assemblies but this means modifying where the motor attaches to....
and drilling larger shaft holes...

I nearly changed over mine to the later larger shafts etc..
but found it easier to keep the originals...
the later motors are in a different position...

I just keep My arms and shafts oiled/greased...
lithium based moly grease

cheers

LEE

Vintage Vee Dub or Mick Motors may have them or volksbahn
👎

CIP1 sell the shaft hardware kit 1958-1969 small round shaft

111 998 007 I had to get these as I lost mine?
[still stuck safely away somewhere ll]

RH SHAFT 111 998 162B 1968-69

LH SHAFT 111 998 161B 1968-69

I'm sure the 69 had the later large shaft with the splined shaft..
will have to check later.. My Son has one...

I know the one 69 He had before had the larger shaft..
But now I remember He actually made one fit with cutting and welding.. so maybe it was that one???
Maybe from RH to LH parking wipers... lol???

two speed 12 volt wipers came out in the German 67 model
made from 1st august 1966 to 31st july 1967
so that is what We probably have has that German model also had larger glass all around [same as 68]

don't know why CIP1 are saying 1969 model.. can't find it written up anywhere...

LEE

Thanks Lee. My car is German build. I actually got a set of NOS shafts from Volksbahn and the shafts were the correct diameter each end, however they were too long and I would have to have drilled out the mounting holes in the body, so I have returned them (currently lost in the post). A great pity as they were original SWF and as you would expect, properly made and assembled. The Wolfsburg West shafts needed some adjustment with the vice and hammer to get them into reasonable shape, but as I said, they are better than my well worn originals. WW actually list them as '68 to '69 as well, but they must fit early '69 only, as later '69 were splined.
Cheers....wayne

Well the 69 My Son dismantled a couple of years ago was also German made..

Seems strange to have to change the holes in the body for the larger wiper shafts... while cars were being made...
although they did make changes all the time...

Do Your wipers park on the LHS on the RHS??

Mine park on the Left hand side...

that would possible make a difference..

LEE

Park on LHS (passenger side)
Cheers

I'm sure I saw in an old VW mag a tech article on modifying the early shafts to later yet keeping the rest of the wiper assembly as is.

I think they drilled the shaft guide of the old shaft to accept the new diameter inner shaft. Was a pretty cool tech article 🙂

68AutoBug wrote:Do Your wipers park on the LHS on the RHS??

Mine park on the Left hand side...

Excluding Lbugs, all big window cars after 65 (68 in aus) park on the left, doesn't matter if they're LHD or RHD.
The few that don't are owner modified.

psimitar wrote:I'm sure I saw in an old VW mag a tech article on modifying the early shafts to later yet keeping the rest of the wiper assembly as is.

I think they drilled the shaft guide of the old shaft to accept the new diameter inner shaft. Was a pretty cool tech article 🙂

I haven't seen the article but was going to FIT a LATE model wiper assembly when restoring My beetle.. I have all the bits but didn't like the idea of filing the holes in the newly painted body.. lol
plus I wanted to get it registered and on the road

I'll have to check the sizes of the shafts...??

LEE