Fix for Slow Wipers

[gnosez]

In the middle of a ground-up restoration I decided to do the right thing and take the wiper motor to a professional. The shop replaced the brushes, re did some if the winding and some of the wiring. I'd have to dig through a pile of bills but I want to say it cost me about $50. (US) to do this. I reused the orignial plastic bag and got new plastic rivits to close it up. For the felt grease pads at the pivot points, I used those rings the sell for battary posts (usually red and black). I then coated the rings with grease. Are the wipers better? Yes. Are they great/fast? No.

[Bambikiller240]

it wasnt working properly when we got it but the aesthetics of the car didnt mean much to the previouse owner only the go-fast bits. what doesnt make sense is that the wiper blade swings the whole length and occasionaly stops at the bottom with a bit of patience but that it normally reaches the bottom and then climbs back up before stopping.

I think maybe the circular spring w/ tang in the Operating Rod to Motor connector has broken where it locks into place.

[EScanlon]

On the back of the gear housing (where piece #1 on Carl's pic connects to the shaft), there is a pie tin looking cup, held in place with a 2-3 screws. This cap, when loosened, determines the PARK position of the wipers.

Since your wipers are moving through the WHOLE range of the windshield, but "parking" in the middle, it's that the parking position is not set right. Additionally, that spring that Carl refers to, I believe that it "triggers" the mechanism at even short distances. That is, when you "flick" the wiper, a movement of x inches is enough for the wiper to realize it must cycle through completely to park.

You made a good point in identifying that your wipers DO in fact go to bottom and top, because if you had just moved the wiper arms onto new positions on the wiper shafts, you would have wiped half your cowl.

2¢

Enrique

[Daniel]

I agree with Gnose. When they were new they weren't great. Guess it didn't rain that hard in the '70's huh? I think that the biggest problem is the linkage pivot points and the part where the arms attach needing lube. I know the motor is old but really for most of us how many hours do you really have on it? As for new brushes,sure its a while your there replacement, but they work or don't. If the motor works new brushes aren't an improvement. One item that has not been mentioned is the springs in the arms themselves. When they weaken they dont press against the window as well. OH for you guys that remove the linkage TRY IT FIRST WITHOUT THE ARMS!! There is an upside down! The right wiper where it attaches to the car will make a 1 7/8 inch gouge in the cowl before it stops. :sick: :sick: :tapemouth Please don't ask me how I know that measurement,WE dont talk about that. :stupid:

[240Zdragon72]

I wait until they are in the middle of the upstroke to turn them off. The motor will start to slow down and then stop at the bottom of the windshield. (we all know how much it rains in the panhandle of Florida.) My 2c.

[EScanlon]

Here's a link on the wipers and park position:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14432&page=1&pp=15&highlight=wiper

I also recall another one that discusses that you should actuate your wiper motors BEFORE you put on the wiper arms, specifically to avoid the cowl wipe/scratch movement.

Found it:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2487&highlight=wiper

Enrique

[Bambikiller240]

If the wiper arms ALWAYS go to the bottom, and then ALWAYS stop higher in their arc, the part Enrique refers to is the problem.

Attachemnt show the part Enrique refers to.

I was thinking that they only messed up sometimes. The spare system I bought for parts had the tang on the spring broken off and that caused the Operating rod to not always stop in the same position relative to the motor connector and Wiper Motor.

[Tommo560]

so how do you know if you are turning it in the right direction or the right amount?

tom.

[Bambikiller240]

Enrique, do you know anything about this? I didn't need to make any adjustments on mine.

I haven't seen any data describing the answer in the Factory Manual. Without a definitve data source, I think your only option is "trial and error".

[EScanlon]

so how do you know if you are turning it in the right direction or the right amount?

tom.

I discovered the use of this box by just plain old trial and error. I was disassembling the whole motor / gear box etc to try to cure the slow wiper problem, and had started on the motor. I removed this part somewhat carelessly and discovered that it didn't go far or where I needed it to. I put it back on, but inadvertently in the wrong location. After I replaced the motor and linkages back, my wipers parked weird (can't recall how) so in reviewing what I did, I recalled this part.

Took the motor out, and allowed the wires to "return" the cap to it's proper position and tightened down. That turned out (sheerly by luck) to be the proper place, so I put a (don't mess with) tag on it in my head.

Wish I could help you more. You might look at the back of the picture Carl put up, and note the "notch" and the "lines" around the circumference. I'm not sure, but they may have a lot to do with locating the park position.

Enrique

[Tommo560]

Thankyou,

will get around to trying it soon

Tom.

[240Zdragon72]

I don't know about slow moving wipers, but I have one that dose not move at all. Passenger side (left drive) wiper. I will have to remove the cowl to inspect the descrepency, I don't think it is connected. Any suggestions?