Wipers!

[alan_thomas]

Sorting out a few small jobs while fun is suspended and thought I would tackle my slow wipers.

Carbon brushes worn down to the point there was little or no spring pressure to keep the brush on the armature - replaced brushes
Wheelboxes very stiff and worn - replaced both
Reassembled motor with new Belville washer, old one had worn to the point it was in 2 halves, cleaned commutator. Regreased rack using thinner grease than that removed.

The end result - same as before . On a dry screen on slow speed they actually stop. The 2 speeds are both working but are slow and very slow.

I don't think I could have rebuilt it any better, the armature wasn't showing any signs of overheating. I found an old TR7 wiper motor (14W) and rack in the back of the workshop and would like to try that but the rack is too short and to use the existing one I would have to break off the small 'flag' attached to the end of the rack that works the parking switch, something I am not prepared to do.

Am I expecting too much? do other peoples wipers work happily, but a bit slower, on a dry screen? Anyone any ideas? Lucky it is sunny for the next 2 weeks - Alan

[72BLUE]

I would check the wiring out, could be high resistance somewhere???

Keith

[jbuckl]

1970’s wipers weren’t very good.
I have replaced & rebuilt the whole system.
mine don’t ever stop whilst operating wet though.
wouldnt expect them to perform dry though.
there is someone offering as new motors still but they’re quite expensive. £200 ish

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/323430578630?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=323430578630&targetid=879047677588&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007167&poi=&campaignid=9437867432&mkgroupid=91042913170&rlsatarget=aud-381667280803:pla-879047677588&abcId=1140486&merchantid=7379194&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIz6y0-83S6QIVk4jVCh2EFQTAEAQYASABEgIgcvD_BwE

[sujitroy]

With the motor off, can you she how easily it is to pull and push on that cable. if OK, then wiring to the motor.

[PJB]

Mine work ok - even when dry, but as mentioned above 70's wipers are pathetic things at the best of times.

[richardthestag]

check that the rack cable can be pulled in and out easily. if not chances are that the wheel boxes are too tight or the whole thing is gummed up.

Remove the wipers from the screen, is it any faster? might be that the motor is just fine but wheelboxes are seizing and rack cable too tight.

btw with wiper arms removed you should be able to easily pull the rack cable right out, the wiper wheelbox spindles will turn through 360degrees which is why the arms need to be off. if the rack cable is tight then you have found your problem.

remove the weatherproof stuff from the outside and dribble lube down the wiper wheelbox shafts, it might penetrate.... fnarr

With the rack removed you should be able to easily turn the wheelbox spindles easily, if not then you have found your problem

[alan_thomas]

check that the rack cable can be pulled in and out easily. if not chances are that the wheel boxes are too tight or the whole thing is gummed up.

Remove the wipers from the screen, is it any faster? might be that the motor is just fine but wheelboxes are seizing and rack cable too tight.

btw with wiper arms removed you should be able to easily pull the rack cable right out, the wiper wheelbox spindles will turn through 360degrees which is why the arms need to be off. if the rack cable is tight then you have found your problem.

remove the weatherproof stuff from the outside and dribble lube down the wiper wheelbox shafts, it might penetrate.... fnarr

With the rack removed you should be able to easily turn the wheelbox spindles easily, if not then you have found your problem

New wheelboxes Richard, cable cleaned and re-greased. slides in and turns spindles easily. I think, as an earlier reply said, it is a voltage drop to the motor rather than anything mechcanical. Will check the electrics out when it cools down a bit -- Alan

[tvrgeek]

Working through my car, it is amazing how many connectors are in each circuit; every one of them is corroded and bad. My low high speed looks like a normal low speed. As my dash is out I can grease the cable and correct all the wiring issues, many of which are going to get soldered. Of course my delay module is bad so I ordered an electronic board to make a replacement.

I need good wipers as this will be my daily driver. Not overly optimistic for them to be really snappy as none of my Smiths cable ones have been, but none have been very new either! I wonder if anyone, in any Smiths wiper car, has built a conversion to a much bigger modern motor. Modern cars have much bigger windscreens and much more load jey are really snappy and quick.

One thing that may help everyone is if we knew how much current the motor draws on each speed. If it is low, then too much drop in the power and ground. If high, then more likely too much load, as in cable and houses. I might consider a relay in the circuit to bypass the wiper switch and column connectors.

[PhilB]

I had a Skoda S100 when at college about 1970. Wiper motor burnt out at Sheffield and I had to get back to Derby.
I disconnected the linkage at the motor. Tied a circular loop of shock cord (Dinghy Sailor then) round both wiper arms and in through both Quarter lights
Got my passenger to pull cord side to side to do a wipe and we made it home safely
Third World solutions always the best - Was only thinking the other day this would also work on the Stag............

[tvrgeek]

Mine work ok - even when dry, but as mentioned above 70's wipers are pathetic things at the best of times.

SMITHS wipers of the 70's were poor. No problem even in my 67 Bug or my old Saabs. 66 Mustang was fine. But poor connections and old grease make them worse. With the extra volt from my Deco alternator and solid connections, my B wipes are much better than they were. I hope to do the same for the Stag.

[bullstarz]

This looks like it may fit


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RELIANT-S....c100752.m1982

[alan_thomas]

This looks like it may fit


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RELIANT-S....c100752.m1982

Not the same but it will fit with same plug connection.This is the 14w version , still made and available from Car Builder Solutions with the correct sweep for the Stag

[bullstarz]

Not the same but it will fit with same plug connection.This is the 14w version , still made and available from Car Builder Solutions with the correct sweep for the Stag

I wouldn't take a great deal of notice of 14w as this is just the amount of power it consumes and not the amount of work it can do. Realistically just a guide to what amp fuse to fit, 14w/12v=1.67amp (so that should equate to 7.19 omhs)

But at 1/3 the price of the Car Builder Solutions i'd give it a go.....................What could possibly go wrong.