RETROFIT PROJECT VW Golf 8 Rear Wiper Delete & Reversing Camera Install
Rear Wiper Delete & Reversing Camera
Remove the rear wiper and mount a compact round barrel reversing camera in the vacated spindle hole, feeding into a mirror dash cam for a clean OEM-look backup system with no visible wiring.
Barrel camera
Mirror dash cam integration
| Component | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golf 8 wiper hole | 26.5 mm | Rear glass after spindle removal |
| Camera barrel OD | 22.5 mm | Outer diameter of camera body |
| Gap / clearance | 4.0 mm | 2.0 mm each side — grommet required |
| Grommet OD needed | ~26.5 mm | Locks into glass hole |
| Grommet ID needed | ~22.5 mm | Grips camera barrel |
T-Shape silicone grommet, 26 mm mount hole / 23 mm inner bore
- Round barrel reversing camera (22.5 mm barrel OD)
- T-Shape silicone grommet, 26 mm
- PTFE / self-amalgamating tape
- Mirror dash cam with rear camera input
- Rear camera cable (RCA or proprietary)
- Cable clips / trim adhesive
- Black silicone sealant
- Trim removal pry tools
- T20 & T25 Torx screwdrivers
- 8mm socket / ratchet
- Multimeter
- Wire stripper & connectors
- Isopropyl alcohol wipes
Remove the rear wiper arm
Lift the wiper arm, remove the 13mm base nut, pull it off the spindle. Unplug the wiper motor connector inside the boot, remove the T20 bolts, and pull the spindle assembly through the glass.
Clean & prep the hole
Wipe the 26.5mm hole area with isopropyl alcohol, remove burrs, and dry thoroughly before fitting the grommet.
Wrap camera & fit grommet
Wrap 1–2 layers of PTFE tape around the camera barrel. Press the grommet into the hole from outside and apply a thin silicone bead around the outer flange to seal the gap.
Insert the camera
Feed the cable through the grommet from inside outward. Push the taped barrel in from outside, rotate the lens slightly downward, and tighten the locking ring.
Route the cable
Run along the boot lid using existing clips, through the hinge rubber conduit into the cabin, then to the mirror — leave slack for full lid movement.
Connect to the mirror dash cam
Plug into the rear camera input and tap a 12V ignition-switched feed at the fuse box per your dash cam's manual.
Test & adjust angle
Confirm the image appears correctly. If inverted, enable Image Flip in the dash cam settings rather than re-rotating the camera.
Refit trims & final check
Confirm the boot lid opens/closes without snagging the cable, then pour water gently around the grommet to verify a watertight seal.