Windshield wiper linkage torsion spring

[TVollnogle]

I'm reassembling my windshield wiper assembly on my '70 Z resto after replating all of the parts, and the torsion spring on the pivot assembly at the motor/gearbox is broken. I also have 2 other windshield wiper assemblies which have the same broken spring. This is evidently a common thing?

I did a search of all of the windshield wiper related issues and only found one reference to the spring and that portion of the linkage. It was in a discussion about disassembling the pivots and cleaning them (of which there were several other similar threads). A member had taken that portion apart and didn't know how to put it back together. His question was never addressed.

I have a couple of questions:

1. What is the purpose of that whole spring assembly? I've analyzed it and can only figure that it might be for protection of the motor and gearbox if the wipers were frozen to the windshield or something. Part of the problem with my analysis process is that I don't know how or where exactly the spring ends attach since the ends are broken off all of three of the springs which I have.

2. Does anyone have pictures of a good assembly and unbroken spring so I can see what the spring is supposed to look like and how it attaches?

I talked with Mike at Banzai and he isn't sure what the real purpose of that assembly is either unless it is for the motor protection as I guess. He said most of the ones he has seen have the spring broken and until now he has just ordered a new arm assembly, but they are now NLA. I think I can manufacture a spring if I know exactly what it is supposed to look like and where the ends attach.

Here is a link to pictures of the assembly portion I'm referring to:

http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/nn44/tsekc/windshield%20wipers/

The pics are acually from two different assemblies that I've taken apart.

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

Terry

[ChrisB77]

Hey Terry. Checked out your pictures and it looks to me the spring merely keeps the rotating parts separated. The ends may not be broken, but just worn flat from years of use. The wiper motor makes complete revolutions in one direction only. If the spring was attached to the wiper arm, it surely would break. Should be able to put it back together with plenty of grease for years more use.

[TVollnogle]

Thanks for the input Chris.

I think one of the springs in the pics has part of an end remaining which I'm guessing used to be bent down 90 degees to the spring. Here's my wild guess about the spring design: the spring had both ends bent 90 degrees down. What the actual spring looked like and the holes or slots the ends drop into is what I'm hoping to resolve .

The tear-drop shaped plate has the slot in it which sort of coincides with the slot on the drive arm. Did one spring end hold the plate and arm in alignment? There is also a hole on the edge of that plate which might have had one of the spring ends in it (?). The drive arm from the assembly that was on my car, has scoring in a rotary manner as can be seen in the pics. I'm guessing the end of the spring broke off and everything then rotated with the spring end gouging the arm.

I think you are onto something though Chris: I'm wondering if many if not most springs are broken in the older cars and nobody worries about it since everything just continues to rotate. Obviously the wipers still work since mine did before disassembly. If I wasn't trying to do a mostly correct restoration, I don't think I'd be worrying about it.

Thanks.

Terry

[TVollnogle]

Hey Guys,

Does noone have any pictures or further input on this?

Thx. T