Morris Minor Owners Club

When the screen is wet the wipers get somewhat enthusiastic and start hitting the screen rubber, which isn't ever so conducive to prolonged life of the blades.

On full reach (maximum from parked) the bottom corner of the blade on the passenger side hits the bottom edge of the screen rubber and the driver's side hits the right hand upright edge (taking a driver's view). Both blades make full contact with the bottom screen rubber in the parked position.

I've looked at the wiper motor and all seems healthy but there doesn't seem to be any way of adjusting the throw at that end, e.g. by moving the pivot closer to the centre of the gear, so that it moves the cable less). Whilst I can't really get at the wheel boxes, both appear to be well fixed and there isn't any significant play.

Is there any way of reducing the wiper throw or is this just a "design feature"?

(By the way I have a 1971 Traveller)

I'd suggest moving the passenger wiper back one spline .
The extra play is probably in the wheel boxes which tend to be under lubricated, if at all.
There are instructions here on how to lubricate the wiper rack and bring to (hopefully) unworn part of the wheel box into play (PUN) a search should find the info.

I've had Minors where there is a wear mark in the screen rubber from being hit by the wiper, it doesn't affect the wiper too badly but the noise can be very annoying.

MarkyB,

Thanks for the response.

Unfortunately I can't adjust the passenger side by moving it on the splines as it hits the screen rubber on both ends of the stroke already.

I have the wear marks that you mention, on the screen rubber where the wipers hit; distinct 'V' shapes on the end of the throw and less distinct but noticeable marks in the parked position.

I guess I'll have to find some way to get at the wheel boxes (remove the glove box liners?) and see what's going on there.

Very possibly someone has fitted an incorrect gear (or motor assembly - take the lid off and read the angle stamped on the wheel.

Thanks, will check when I get home on weekend - as far as I reacell the whole lot was coated in a thick layer of grease when I last looked, so will need to clean it up a bit.

What should it read?

it should read 150

Are we absolutely sure about that ? I 'thought' it was 110 degrees - but I may be getting mixed up with Mini motors.

yes i am sure as i looked at my (1970) traveller one the other day when trying to find a suitable two speed motor for my convertible.. The 110 as you say is on a mini and i would not have needed to modify the existing wheel to fit the two speed motor, i would have just got one from a mini.

OK, I checked and it reads '150'.

So, does the problem lie at the wheel boxes or should I be looking for a different wiper motor gear?

It must be wear in wheelboxes (or possibly loose) and/or rack. You can carefully pull the rack out - turn each spindle 180 degrees, turn the rack over - and then slide it back in. That 'should' give you unworn wheels running on unworn rack. I would carefully mark the spindles before you start - so you can clearly see how well the trick worked!

Thanks for the suggestion I tried moving the wheel box gears around (not that I could see any appreciable wear) and gave everything a good grease while it was apart. There's no significant play in the setup. However, all to no avail, as the both wipers still hit the rubber at both ends of their arc.

Can't see how else I can adjust anything else so unless any of you more experienced bods have got a trick up your sleeves, I guess I'll just have to live with the 'feature'.

Could the arms be too long?
Sometimes the are adjustable to fit different cars.

As far as I'm aware the arms are standard metal versions that are riveted together and definitely not adjustable, and the blades are metal backed 'Tex' 11" versions.

thought minors had 10" wiper blades

Possibly the problem but mine are definitely 11". should a 1971 traveller have 10" blades?

Can't see it matters - unless it hits top of screen?

Not the top, both wipers just hit the side and bottom of the screen.