I'm trying to replace the non working rear wiper on '98 OB. I bought one ($50) from a yard, but when I plugged it in the motor was spinning but not the wiper shaft.

 

Since it's a holiday and the yards are closed and I have a hole in the rear window where the assembly should be, I thought I'd take the motor assembly apart to see if I could fix it.

 

After disassembling the original and the replacement I've concluded that these must all fail the same way; Corrosion sets in right around the shaft where arm connects, and when it gets too cruded up to turn the motor starts breaking teeth off the plastic gear it connects to.

 

Both had about an inch of teeth missing, and both shafts were set up tight in the housing.

 

If the plastic gear was available seperately, these things wouldn't be that hard to rebuild if you can get the shaft freed up. The rest of the components are metal.

 

Has anyone had success installing junk yard wiper motors? What's the chances of finding one that won't have the same problems?

 

What do you think a brand new one will cost? As always, all opinions appreciated, thanks!

This is a very common failure in this part of the country. I have replaced the motor on our 99 outback and my friends 97 legacy wagon. I installed a '96 junkyard motor that I bought on ebay in our car, it is making a bit of noise after about 6 months but still working. I don't think it will last very long. Next time I may buy a new motor. Perhaps if I get the time I will dissasemble the current motor and lubricate the shaft.

 

http://www.1stsubaruparts.com has the motor for $99.71, list is $132.95, Subaru part number 86511AC101.

Thanks 99OBW, I think I'll go with the new one.

 

It might help to spray some lube down the end of the shaft housing after the cover is off. The 2 I had apart where both corroded in the first half inch.

If you can free up the shaft on one of those you can have the old motor that came out of our 99. The internals are all good AFAIK. The shaft is frozen and the housing is broken.

 

It's yours for free, pick up or pay shipping from 14517.

Before I junked my 1993 Loyale, my brother-in-law removed the rear wiper motor assembly. He said it was solid brass and they don't make them like that anymore. I don't know if it would fit the newer Legacys, but maybe worth a try.

Went back to the yard to tell them the motor they sold me was bad. I tried to use the $50 to make other purchases since I figured all yard motors would have problems. They wouldn't go for it though and would only replace the motor.

 

I told the guy to pick the OB with the lowest miles (they had 10 98s to choose from!). This version looked updated with a different wiring setup and the screw at the end of the motor shaft wasn't there.

 

It works, turns smoothly. I hope it last a while.