Morris Minor Owners Club

Posted: **Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:03 pm**

Hello

I’ve noticed my wiper touches the bonnet when I open it on the drivers side. Does anyone know how I get the spindle that the wiper arm sits on to go inwards (toward the car… if you see what I mean?). There’s about a 1cm - 1.5cm of the thread visible on the other side of the big nut, however if I loosen the nut the spindle thing doesn’t move… inward or outward.

Thank you

Posted: **Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:12 pm**

radioactiveman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:03 pm Hello

I’ve noticed my wiper touches the bonnet when I open it on the drivers side. Does anyone know how I get the spindle that the wiper arm sits on to go inwards (toward the car… if you see what I mean?). There’s about a 1cm - 1.5cm of the thread visible on the other side of the big nut, however if I loosen the nut the spindle thing doesn’t move… inward or outward.

Thank you

This happened with my car after fitting NOS wheel boxes. I was very puzzled about it. The nut on the spindle has to be tight or the wheel box will try to rotate (rather than the spindle) when the wipers are working.

Using a torch in the otherwise dark garage (by accident) I noticed that my bonnet was slightly bent inwards on the side it caught the wiper arm when the bonnet was opened. A gentle push on the inside of the bonnet and it no longer catches the wiper arm.

I had not realised before that the back bonnet edge is so close to the wiper arm when the bonnet opens.

Hope this helps. Also check the shut line is even as it may be a bonnet hinge adjustment that is needed.

Obviously ensure that the wiper arm is fully pushed home on the spindle.

What I am suggesting is that it is unlikely to be related to the wiper spindle unless they have been recently changed for incorrect parts or fitted without the black angled plastic spacer on the inside of the dash. That has obviously not happened as when you loosen the nut the wheel box does not move. That's because it is seized on the chrome bezel but that does not matter unless you ever want to get the wheel box out.

Stephen

Posted: **Sun Apr 02, 2023 10:22 pm**

svenedin wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:12 pm
radioactiveman wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 7:03 pm Hello

I’ve noticed my wiper touches the bonnet when I open it on the drivers side. Does anyone know how I get the spindle that the wiper arm sits on to go inwards (toward the car… if you see what I mean?). There’s about a 1cm - 1.5cm of the thread visible on the other side of the big nut, however if I loosen the nut the spindle thing doesn’t move… inward or outward.

Thank you
This happened with my car after fitting NOS wheel boxes. I was very puzzled about it. The nut on the spindle has to be tight or the wheel box will try to rotate (rather than the spindle) when the wipers are working.

Using a torch in the otherwise dark garage (by accident) I noticed that my bonnet was slightly bent inwards on the side it caught the wiper arm when the bonnet was opened. A gentle push on the inside of the bonnet and it no longer catches the wiper arm.

I had not realised before that the back bonnet edge is so close to the wiper arm when the bonnet opens.

Hope this helps. Also check the shut line is even as it may be a bonnet hinge adjustment that is needed.

Obviously ensure that the wiper arm is fully pushed home on the spindle.

What I am suggesting is that it is unlikely to be related to the wiper spindle unless they have been recently changed for incorrect parts or fitted without the black angled plastic spacer on the inside of the dash. That has obviously not happened as when you loosen the nut the wheel box does not move. That's because it is seized on the chrome bezel but that does not matter unless you ever want to get the wheel box out.

Stephen

Thank you! It may very well be the bonnet that needs adjusting. The passenger side arm is incorrect for the blade setup; the ‘nub’ on the arm doesn’t line up with the hole in the wiper (I guess it stays on with friction right now…) whereas the new reproduction one does fit the wiper blade assembly… however, with the ‘correct’ arm fitted that side also rubs

Someone at some point has attempted to make a little dent in the back of the bonnet as a fix but that’s clearly not worked

Dreaded former owners, eh!

I’m a bit nervous about adjusting the bonnet that I might then not be able to close/open it

Sounds like I might have no other choice!

Posted: **Sun Apr 02, 2023 10:35 pm**

If it’s a wiper arm issue you might be able to find either second hand or NOS ones. If second hand the return spring tends to corrode but can be replaced.

Posted: **Mon Apr 03, 2023 8:49 am**

If you need to push the spindle further back/in then you can place a spacer underneath the scuttle. There is, or should be, a shaped piece of plastic there to set the angle of the spindle, a sort of mirror image of the chrome bezel on top. Even simpler is to fit a stainless steel spacer (a washer or 2) between the bezel and the nut. This will cause the thread to tighten sooner, thus making the spindle further back.

Posted: **Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:04 am**

Yes there is an angled black plastic spacer on the inside. Sometimes these crack from age or if the bezel nut is over tightened. This would case the spindle to protrude too much.

Posted: **Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:23 am**

simmitc wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 8:49 am If you need to push the spindle further back/in then you can place a spacer underneath the scuttle. There is, or should be, a shaped piece of plastic there to set the angle of the spindle, a sort of mirror image of the chrome bezel on top. Even simpler is to fit a stainless steel spacer (a washer or 2) between the bezel and the nut. This will cause the thread to tighten sooner, thus making the spindle further back.

Thanks. This may be a fundamental misunderstanding of how this all fits together, but when you say 'between the bezel and the nut' would that not just mean that the nut is further out, I can't see how that would push the spindle towards the car?

Posted: **Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:33 am**

I can try to post a photo of how it all fits together later. I have a spare set of all the bits. I think it would need the spacer (which goes against the inside) to be marginally longer to make any difference but I may be mistaken. Unfortunately, to access this the driver’s side glovebox has to come out which is a real faff. Have a look at one of the diagrams on the Moss website which may help to explain the wheel box and associated parts. Ideally you would avoid all of this if it’s just the wrong wiper arm or a bend in the bonnet. You mentioned a previous owner had tried to bend the bonnet to achieve clearance. Counterintuitively, they probably made it worse.

One thing I did notice when I did the wiper wheel boxes is the new rubber gasket that goes between the outside body panel and the chrome bezel is much thinner than the (disintegrated) original. This would make a difference to how far the spindle stick out. That seal is important or otherwise water can get in behind the dashboard

Posted: **Mon Apr 03, 2023 8:52 pm**

This may be a fundamental misunderstanding of how this all fits together, but when you say 'between the bezel and the nut' would that not just mean that the nut is further out

Absolutely correct. I was right about the spacer inside the car, but talking complete and utter rubbish about the washer, and have absolutely no idea where that though came from

Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 10:15 am**

simmitc wrote: ↑Mon Apr 03, 2023 8:52 pm
This may be a fundamental misunderstanding of how this all fits together, but when you say 'between the bezel and the nut' would that not just mean that the nut is further out
Absolutely correct. I was right about the spacer inside the car, but talking complete and utter rubbish about the washer, and have absolutely no idea where that though came from

Aha, no worries. I think I'm following now. The spacer seems like my best option if I don't want to 'fettle' the bonnet.

One slight confusion I have is that when I removed the nut the spindle should have moved backward relatively easily. I'm guessing it didn't due to grime/muck etc gumming it up? I imagine a little more encouragement is all it would need.

Thanks everyone for their help

Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 10:34 am**

The wiper box spindle goes through the middle of the chrome bezel which is like a shroud. The two get corroded together. The only way I managed to separate mine was to hold the wheel box on the inside and tap the spindle with a hammer after a generous application of PlusGas the day before.

This is the corrosion which is probably holding the bezel on. The other photo shows the black plastic spacer. You could use a packing where the arrow shows to reduce the protrusion of the spindle. To install a packing you would need to free both wiper wheel boxes and hope that you can withdraw the wheel box into the car enough to install a packing without bending or damaging the Bundy tubes.

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Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 10:55 am**

svenedin wrote: ↑Tue Apr 04, 2023 10:34 am The wiper box spindle goes through the middle of the chrome bezel which is like a shroud. The two get corroded together. The only way I managed to separate mine was to hold the wheel box on the inside and tap the spindle with a hammer after a generous application of PlusGas the day before.

This is the corrosion which is probably holding the bezel on. The other photo shows the black plastic spacer. You could use a packing where the arrow shows to reduce the protrusion of the spindle.

IMG_8755.jpeg

IMG_8752.jpeg

This is excellent! Thank you

Yes, a spacer seems like it would do the trick. Thankfully my glovebox is currently out, so now seems like the perfect time.

Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 10:57 am**

You're welcome but see my added warning above about freeing both wheel boxes and not bending the tubes. There is another current thread where the OP has managed to jam the wipers. You may find you have to disconnect the rack from the motor, withdraw the rack (remove the wiper arms first!), free both wheel boxes (after taking out both gloveboxes). A lot of work.......

Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 11:14 am**

Hmm, yes, you make a good point. Looking at the excellent pictures in the other thread I can see where the peril lies. I'll have a fiddle at the weekend and see how it feels.

I'm assuming that if I were to loosen the nuts pictured below I can extract the tubes and move them clear of the wiper box?

Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 11:40 am**

Unfortunately not. You cannot remove the tubes until the rack has been withdrawn. The rack is held captive by the wheel of the wheel box and it cannot come out from the back of the wheel box. It can only be fed in or withdrawn lengthwise.

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Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 12:52 pm**

I see, I see. Thanks, you've saved me hours of confusion!

Posted: **Tue Apr 04, 2023 8:51 pm**

I measured the diameter of the stem of a wheel box. It is probably 0.625 (5/8)" but depending on where I measure I can get 0.630". This means you could use 16mm ID fibre washers or nylon washers to use as a packing as well as 5/8" of course. I also have a wiper arm that is within a cat's whisker of catching the bonnet when it is opened and I may do this packing when I am feeling energetic and patient.......(which is likely never but I did order some 5/8" ID washers

)

Stephen

Posted: **Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:05 pm**

I went out to have a rummage last night, but as predicted the spindle is stuck firm to the chrome finisher. There's also evidence of silicone up in and around the washer/spindle area so it does seem like a bit of a job as I don't imagine the spindle would separate from the finisher without a fight

It may be something I have to put off until I can be bothered doing everything properly and sacrificing the hardware that's there.

There's also evidence of it being painted with less-than-perfect masking around the various bits of the hardware now I look closely

Posted: **Wed Apr 05, 2023 5:48 pm**

radioactiveman wrote: ↑Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:05 pm I went out to have a rummage last night, but as predicted the spindle is stuck firm to the chrome finisher. There's also evidence of silicone up in and around the washer/spindle area so it does seem like a bit of a job as I don't imagine the spindle would separate from the finisher without a fight It may be something I have to put off until I can be bothered doing everything properly and sacrificing the hardware that's there.

There's also evidence of it being painted with less-than-perfect masking around the various bits of the hardware now I look closely

So if you could find a wiper arm whose “elbow” doesn’t catch the bonnet you’d save yourself a lot of work!

Posted: **Sat Dec 09, 2023 8:10 am**

sorry to jump in on this thread, but you have a picture of a black plastic internal piece, on top of the wiper boxes, which goes inside the car, i guess to keep the angle correct for the outer bezel, do you know if these are available to buy ?

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