Windscreen wiper 'cable'

[dunketh]

Right, I've just dismantled and rebuilt my wiper mechanism over lunchtime.
(Note.. I only did the mechanism, I've not actually opened the DC motor casing).
I removed the old solid grease, cleaned it up and re-greased.
I noticed that the toothed wheel and worm drive are in perfect condition.

But the problem is still there!
My wipers just refuse to work without a helping hand.
The motor seems to get hot and thats about it.

Is it possible that the cable arrangement that connects it all up is clogged?
Is this cleanable/available new/much hassle to fit?

Help. Winters coming.

[chickenjohn]

Yes, its all available:- http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/adv ... 1&x=9&y=11
including wiper motor brushes!
The rack cable is on the 2nd page of that search.


(also available from the other parts suppliers, I'm sure!) ;-)

[dunketh]

Is it much of a pig to replace?
I really can't see where it actually goes?
Is access available behind the cardboard glovebox thingees?

[chickenjohn]

I've never done it myself, but this is my understanding from having looked in there;- yes, pull off the wiper arms unbolt the wiper box nut, remove cardboard "thingies" and you'll see the back of it all there by the bulk head. Access, *i think* is purely from inside the car and not from the bonnet area. and by lying upside down on the floor and looking up there.

Its a good idea to replace the wiper spindle rubber gasket/seal while you're there- i need to do this as mine are leaking on one side.

[Stig]

I've not done it on a Minor either but... have you tried pulling/pushing the rack-cable-thing by hand with the wiper arms removed. Maybe you might be able to free it up that way. I guess there's a chance that once you pull the cable out it won't go back in again without getting at the wiper boxes but what have you got to lose? Might be able to work some fresh grease into to the tube that way without the expense and hassle of replacing things. -note the "might"

[alex_holden]

Yes, you can clean the cable and regrease it, but in my case it didn't actually help that much. A lighter grease might have helped because they slow down the most in cold weather and gradually improve if I let the wipers run continuously for half an hour or so. Don't take the gearboxes off if you can avoid it, just remove the wiper arms and pull the cable out from the engine bay. To put it back in you'll probably have to take the gloveboxes out so you can see what's going on, and get somebody to slowly feed the cable in while you guide it through the gearboxes.

[simmitc]

There should be no need to remove glove boxes. In theory, remove the wiper arms, remove the cover on the wiper motor, disconnect the drive arm from the rack (the spirally cable thingy) and pull the rack out. Now turn the wiper spindles through 180 degress (so that they start to wear in a different area) and then feed the new rack back up the hole from where the old one came. When the end reaches a wiper box it may stick. Try wiggling the spindle a little whilst pushing the rack to and fro. Repeat at the send wiper box if necessary. Reconnect and refit remain parts; job done. The rack should be greased before fitting - the grease can be thinned with a little diesel mixed in. Good luck.

[Axolotl]

Let us know how you get on, as I'm thinking of trying the same trick.

My wipers don't stick, but they have "variable" degrees of swept area, mostly more when its really wet.

I figured it's worn spindles in the gear boxes and /or worn rack.

I've heard it's a really messy job. Be sure and wear your best shirt .

[alex_holden]

Mine sweep much further once I get up to 70 on the motorway with the wind helping them along.

[MoggyTech]

I can't get mine to 'sweep' anything, all they do is clear rain off the windscreen.

[alex_holden]

I can't get mine to 'sweep' anything, all they do is clear rain off the windscreen.

Que? The wipers clear the rain off by sweeping the blades in an arc across the glass.

[bmcecosse]

Before starting all this - you should mark the spindles carefully so when complete you are sure they have ended up 180 degrees round from where you started. It's all too easy to end up with them back where they were. And yes - the old grease goes really hard and the wheelboxes seize up - so complete strip down is the way to go - not really a 'lunch time' job! The motor brushes will also likely be on their last legs - new brushes are cheap and not too difficult to fit.

[MoggyTech]

I can't get mine to 'sweep' anything, all they do is clear rain off the windscreen.

Que? The wipers clear the rain off by sweeping the blades in an arc across the glass.

Just my attempt at a little light humour Pity they don't sweep the garage floor, it's a mess.

[bmcecosse]

Just a possible quick fix - try dribbling some 3 in 1 oil down the wiper box spindles - it may just free them off enough to keep them going until you get time to strip the lot out properly.

[dunketh]

Well, all fixed now and better than they've ever been.
As mentioned I already stripped and re-greased the motor gearbox so that was fine.

I took out the cardboard glove boxes and covered the transfer gearboxes (is that what you call em?) in WD40, squirting it right inside using the straw.
Yes, that's right! Good old WD40.

I then ran the wipers with me pushing/helping the cable back into its sheath with my thumb. (it pokes out the drivers end during wiping).

After AGES they free'd up.

There was one other issue. The drivers side transfer box thingy was out of alignment, forcing the cable to bend on its way through (you could hear it scratching against something inside).
I twisted the unit around slightly and voila! Good as new.

It was lucky I took it all apart in the rain. I found that both spindles were leaking thanks to the chrome collars having no gasket under them. I remedied this with some instant gasket around the bases.

Anyway, thats another job done. More to come!

[IslipMinor]

When the speedo needle's pointing at the fuel gauge - its time to slow down!

I wish!!!

PS - Forgotten how to reduce the photo size, how is it done please?

[dunketh]

Wow!
Where did you get a '120' speedo?

Mine falls off the end at 95.

(though I've stopped pushing my luck now and usually top out at around 80)

[IslipMinor]

It's a 'kph' outside dial with an 'mph' centre - works very well. The dial was very kindly found by Onne in Holland, given to Judge when he was with Onne last year, and again very kindly delivered to Oxford by Judge when he was in the area - thanks again to both of them. Doesn't get much better than that!!

The centre part is Series 2, 1000 revs per mile, which matches perfectly to the 3.9 diff and Toyota 5-spd, the odometer is spot-on, but the speedo drive has been re-calibrated to suit the dial.