Windshield Wipers

jpkeels · Post by **jpkeels** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:34 am

I have a repair question. ON my 85 2wd wagon the wipers work but they don't move as fasr as they should when they are running. In fact, when I use them I have to peek to the right a little to see out because the driver side wiper doesn't go all the way across the windshield as far as it should. I have played with them briefly and noticed that there is several inches of slack in the wiper mechanism. The wiper motor itself works fine but I am wondering how hard of a problem this is to fix. I am thinking if there is a way to get into that area to replace the linkage that maybe it is something fairly easy to fix. Perhaps even get a replacement part from the junkyard.

What do you all think?

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:56 pm

jpkeels wrote: I have a repair question. ON my 85 2wd wagon the wipers work but they don't move as fasr as they should when they are running. In fact, when I use them I have to peek to the right a little to see out because the driver side wiper doesn't go all the way across the windshield as far as it should. I have played with them briefly and noticed that there is several inches of slack in the wiper mechanism. The wiper motor itself works fine but I am wondering how hard of a problem this is to fix. I am thinking if there is a way to get into that area to replace the linkage that maybe it is something fairly easy to fix. Perhaps even get a replacement part from the junkyard.

What do you all think?

You've probably already tried this, but have you unbolted the arm and tried turning it to a different angle, then rebolting to see if it made a difference? Is your wiper hitting the bottom seal of your windshield?

If it's not the adjustment, maybe the mechanical mechanism is worn out (probably the case from what you are saying?) I've never replaced the mechanism before, although I've replaced the motors before.

jpkeels · Post by **jpkeels** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 1:11 pm

It has some slack in it. Sometimes the wipers hit the seal at the bottom of the windshield and other times they do not. Also, if you turn the wipers on high, the momentum from the movement actually causes the driver side wiper to slap too far and actually hit the seal on the Left side of the windshield which is actually the opposite of what it does when you leave the wipers running on low and have to peek to the right of the problem. It is kind of funny when it happens actually. How hard is it to get into the area where the mechanism is. I mean its behind the firewall and doesn't look easy to get at?

I will still try loosing the bolt on the wiper and try some adjustment as well but I still wonder. LOL

Crazy stuff. Of course the driver side mirror is also loose but thats a seperaate topic. LOL I plan on getting one from a junkyard and fixing the mirro when I can. For now, the mirror is epoxied into place inside the mirror frame. LOL The mirror fram itself is also a little loose. LOL

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:16 pm

It sounds like you have some worn linkage bushings. To access them you have to remove the cowl between the windshield base and the hood.

jpkeels · Post by **jpkeels** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 10:41 am

Thanks for the suggestions on the wipers. I will have to get underneat that cowl at some point. Over the weekend I did loosen the bolt and adjust the wipers a little bit so taht they will cover more surface on the windshield. It has not rained here for a few days and probably won't for a couple more days so I will have to be patient to see if my adjustments help.

Eatpants · Post by **Eatpants** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:50 pm

my cowl is carpeted with pine needles and the paint on the roof all ruined thanks to 2 years under the pine tree

jpkeels · Post by **jpkeels** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:46 am

Well, I adjusted the wipers a few weeks ago and have used them in several rainstorms lately. Unfortunately, the wipers still do not quite cover the whole area they should. They work just not real well. At some point I will have to tear off the cowl. This will be another interesting project to work on. I'll have to find the bushing replacements though.

takza · Post by **takza** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:31 am

Could be that they are loose where they mount...there are some tapered serrations there...one side is soft...the other hardened metal....need to clean out the soft stuff from the hard serrated side and snug them down good. The special nut they use can strip also.

New arms might help.

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:52 am

takza wrote: Could be that they are loose where they mount...there are some tapered serrations there...one side is soft...the other hardened metal....need to clean out the soft stuff from the hard serrated side and snug them down good. The special nut they use can strip also.

New arms might help.

Takza! You're back!

takza · Post by **takza** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:48 am

Might be...then again I'm not too sure..... :blink:

Snax · Post by **Snax** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:55 pm

Reviving an old thread here . .

So can anybody confirm what should fix this problem?

I've rotated my driver side arm one spline to address the visibility issue, but now it doesn't go all the way to the bottom seal like the passenger side, and it runs off the windshield on high or into a high headwind.

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:41 am

Well - when I was a kid, this happened on a Morris I had. I resolved it by positioning the arm on the stud and drilling a small hole through it all and then used a thin bolt and nut to secure it all.
Something more elegant would be to drill the hole and tap it for just a bolt.
Tom M.

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:41 am

Snax wrote:Reviving an old thread here . .

So can anybody confirm what should fix this problem?

I've rotated my driver side arm one spline to address the visibility issue, but now it doesn't go all the way to the bottom seal like the passenger side, and it runs off the windshield on high or into a high headwind.

You have to "park" them...shut them off. Reposition the offending arm...might need to clean the splines.

You probably don't want them to park in a way that forces them down on the moulding...cause this will warp the rubber squeegee.

I HATE replacing wiper glades...PITA.

Meck · Post by **Meck** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 4:53 am

The plastic/nylon bushings are gone. Get to them by going through the hole behind the wiper motor. It's a mess to do. I made replacements by cutting down/filing/etc. some brass bushings. No problems since, and the wipers move pretty much the distance they're supposed to. Good luck.

Snax · Post by **Snax** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:17 pm

I don't like the looks of that. I don't have smallish hands, so if I have to reach in behind the motor, I'm probably screwed.

Thanks for the clarification.