cowl replacement '89 760 wagon

Post by **mtemarty** » 28 Oct 2009, 21:14

Hi Bill,
I broke the cowl, the plastic shield that covers the mechanisms of the windshield wiper assembly.
The salvage yard sent me an exact duplicate from a '97 850. The only thing that is different is there are no pre-molded/drilled holes that accept the little screws that hold those little chrome clips that slip onto the bottom of the windshield.
How did it mount on the 850?
Do I need to drill the holes myself? It would be a no brainer as there is a ridge that runs the length of the cowl that forms a pocket that receives the clips.
thanks
marty

Post by **billofdurham** » 29 Oct 2009, 13:33

Working from the parts lists on VADIS I would say that the '97 850 draining channel is not an exact duplicate of the one fitted to your car. There are quite a few differences and I wouldn't want to start trying to adapt it.

The 850 is attached at the front edge by 5 screws and at the rear edge it sits in a trim moulding which runs the full length of the windscreen.

One (or is it two?) difference is the 850 draining channel has two draining hoses which aren't on the 760.

My opinion is the salvage yard is trying it on with this one as the part is not fit for purpose.

Bill.

Post by **mtemarty** » 29 Oct 2009, 16:07

I made a mistake. It came from a 960. But you described the original on my 760 and the replacement perfectly. They are both exactly the same.
My bad...sorry.
And not to be argumentative, but my 760 wagon has drain holes on both sides.

Post by **billofdurham** » 29 Oct 2009, 16:45

Well I can live with that because I missed out the bit that would have said the drain hoses are in a different place on the 850 and could cause a problem. I found that out after I had typed the reply but forgot to amend it. Sorry.

The 760 and 960 drainage channels are the same, although different part numbers.

The clips that fit onto the windscreen are the same , even to the part numbers. So now the question has to be asked if there should be holes in the cowl for them or do they fit over the channel and the screws tighten them. They are, in fact, called tensioning arms.

Looking for more information I have checked VADIS for windscreen fitting on the 960. The only mention of the drainage channel is, "Remove the plastic cover over the windscreen wiper well (plenum cover). If necessary it is sufficient to bend the cover forward without removing the drain hoses. The screws nearest to the windscreen should only be slackened 1 - 2 turns. The italics are mine as I think that supports my theory that those screws do not go through the plastic.

Bill.