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Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 10:06 am
by KatiePotatie
The driver side wiper seems to overshoot and push off the edge of the screen. Is it just a quirk?

Also, let's be honest, the wipers don't work particularly well. Do I just need new blades do you think or is there something I could adjust? I don't know if this has anything to do with the first issue, as it is clumping back onto the screen when it comes back off the side. Luckily, we have had decent weather so haven't needed to use them properly yet!

Re: Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 12:40 pm
by rayofleamington
there are 2 possible causes for the overtravel
First and simplest is that you need to take the arm off and put it back one or 2 splines clockwise from where it was.

If that isn't the problem, you will find it overshoots at the other end instead...

Second problem is likely to be wear at the wheel boxes. These can be taken apart , re-greased and the wheel put 180° around so it runs on new teeth. The wear allows the arm to overshoot due to backlash at the end of travel - this is fairly common on a well-used late minor 1000.

Re: Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 12:42 pm
by mike.perry
Remove the wiper arm from the spindle spline, there is a little clip under the spindle, and move the arm around until it does not touch the edge of the screen. It is worth changing the wiper blades periodically, damaged blades are an MOT failure

Re: Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 3:51 pm
by bmcecosse
beware the silly 'chrome' blades sold by some - they are hopeless at wiping the screen.....

Re: Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 4:38 pm
by KatiePotatie
Ok, how does the arm come off? Does it just pull off? I was trying earlier & it didn't want to budge. Mind you, I didn't have my Weetabix this morning... :oops:

Re: Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 9:50 pm
by mike.perry
There is a little spring clip under the spindle splines. Hook it back with a small screwdriver and pull the arm off

Re: Windscreen wiper...quirk?

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 10:14 pm
by MarkyB
What ever type is fitted it's worth putting some pressure on the side opposite the arm, maybe with a small screwdriver, to pull the arm off straight, rather than have all the pull on one side.