356A Wiper Arms

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
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Tom Tate
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356A Wiper Arms

#1 Post by Tom Tate »

Trying to assist a local member verify the correct wiper arms on his '59 A. My '57 & '58 both have the rectangular base arms that have the bolt that is perpendicular to the wiper shaft. Johnsons books (all of them ) indicate that the rounded unit appeared on the Conv D and Roadster and "some 356A coupes and Cabs" .Both Stoddard and Sierra Madre sites seem to indicate that the rounded base arm was also used in '59. Neil's Book doesn't show the arm. I thought that the rounded version didn't began until the T5. Can I get a clarification from the group please? The first photo is the T5, second is the T2 KTF
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Rectangular Arm.jpg
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Jules Dielen
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#2 Post by Jules Dielen »

Tom I have the rounded version (Pic 1) on my June '59 convertible D and my '58 sunroof has the one in Pic 2. I have pickle forks on my '57 coupe.

I have seen both versions you show on late A cars.
Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

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Peter Silten
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#3 Post by Peter Silten »

Here is a photo of the correct arm for the 1959 Convertible D, the Roadsters, and I believe for the late A's.
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8D65449C-D72A-4B0E-B6D0-59E325DF7BB8.jpeg
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Jesse Rodriguez
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#4 Post by Jesse Rodriguez »

I believe Peter's photo correctly show the arms for many 1959 coupes, cabs and Conv. Ds, all '60-61 Roadsters and T-5 coupes:
1. The arms are 11 inches long.
2. There is a right and left arm identified my an R for the right and L or I for the left, stamped under the "hook"
3. The blades are SWF Wischblatt WBK. 100 927 silver -260 mm. The opening to insert the hook from the arm is 27 mm.

I am not an expert. However, my limited (anecdotal) research indicates the above to be prevalent on those models.

Having said all of he above, I believe that there were some 1959 coupes, cabs and Conv. Ds that came with pickle forks.

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Joris Koning
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#5 Post by Joris Koning »

The very late coupe's and cabs came with Bosch arms and blades. I believe that the arms and blades shown by Peter are unique to the Ds. If I remember correctly the parts book has some details on this. Easy way to check if your car came with the Bosch arms and blades would be to check you wiper motor and transmissions
'56 Coupe
'57 Coupe
'59 Cab 
'60 Coupe

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Peter Silten
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#6 Post by Peter Silten »

My D has an SWF motor along with SWF arms and blades.

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Joris Koning
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#7 Post by Joris Koning »

The D's I believe never used the Bosch system, only very late coupe's and cabs
'56 Coupe
'57 Coupe
'59 Cab 
'60 Coupe

Jesse Rodriguez
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#8 Post by Jesse Rodriguez »

Both my '59 coupe built on December 1958 and '59 coupe built on April 1959 have the SWF motor system.

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Tom Tate
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#9 Post by Tom Tate »

Thanks for all the input, great group. To clarify, the SWF arms are the squared off versions and the Bosch are rounded (see photos above). Note that the SWF arms came with the straight shaft and later the hooked shaft. The Bosch version were hooked only. KTF

Carl Luck
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#10 Post by Carl Luck »

All, thanks for this valuable and informative feedback. I am the culprit one who initially contacted Tom with this question. My 59A (body 106501) was built in early 1959 (most components, 90%+ original, have date codes between Dec. 58 and Jan. 59). It does have a SWF wiper motor.
It appears that my car is/should be very similar in configuration to Jess Rodriquez's tub. Jess, what are the body numbers of your two A's?
In that case, and from Tom's last statement, it would appear that the SWF motor does not uniquely define the style of blade as flat or round, and that the rounded SWF is most likely to have been what my A was originally built with.
This would be consistent with several parts catalogues and Brett Johnson's publications so unless there is some new information, I am going to try to replace the funky, although period correct, arms and blades that the first owner installed with the rounded style. Any leads on a good pair of these would be appreciated.
Thanks to all for helping to KTF
Carl Luck
 

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Jim Clement
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#11 Post by Jim Clement »

Another question.
My car is an early 57, but the question relates to the arms.
I see that all of the wiper arms have a bend in them close to the base housing, but all of the new arms are straight.
do you have to them bend them to the original profile ?
and if yes, what is the best way to get the two arms consistently bent or matched, and look good ?
I am thinking bending them over something with a small radius like a marker pen ??
 

Carl Luck
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#12 Post by Carl Luck »

All, Carl here with an important correction. When I use the term "round" I am in error. I should be saying curved as in the blade of the arm is curved, not flat. Sorry for any confusion. FYI, I can easily find Bosch arms and blades with curved/hooked end but not SWF. Did they typically use Bosch arms/blades with these A SWF motors??
Carl
 

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Peter Silten
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#13 Post by Peter Silten »

Here is a link to an ad on TheSamba re the arms you need:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds ... id=2242462

Jon Bunin
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#14 Post by Jon Bunin »

Peter Silten wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 2:54 pm Here is a link to an ad on TheSamba re the arms you need:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds ... id=2242462
Peter, the wiper arms in that Samba ad are not SWF, and not correct for the models indicated.
The original SWF arms for some 59 A and all Roadster models are in the lower picture of your earlier post. The arms in your top picture are also not correct.
Jon Bunin

Jesse Rodriguez
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Re: 356A Wiper Arms

#15 Post by Jesse Rodriguez »

Peter, Carl and Jon,
Again, I am no expert. The results of my research are anecdotal.
1. I agree with Jon that the correct arms are on the lower picture shown by Peter, 11" long, with the letter R for right and L/l for left, under the hook.
2. The blades come in a box shown on the lower picture, by Peter, to the right of the arms. They have the traditional Made in Germany SWF markings. The box part # is WBK 100927-260mm long, the opening to insert the hook is 27mm.
3. Carl, my early '59 S/R completed on Dec. 22, 1958 has a VIN # 1058__ and my later '59 completed on April 24, 1959 has a VIN # 1074__.

I'll take pics. of the NOS arms and blades the I have and will attempt to post them.

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