16 replies to this topic

[Adam Mini]

Im new to minis so this might be a standard thing. The wipers are veerrrrry slow. Im worried that if i hit proper rain id have to pull over and wait :) Are there any motor upgrades etc, or things to check on mine (austin mayfair 1982)?

Thanks

Adam

[Dan]

The common problem with the wiper motors is corrosion in the plug and the park switch underneath. It'll either be that, or the wiper motor is just tired, or the gear rack that drives the arms needs cleaning out and regreasing. Also check that all the nuts and bolts along the rack are tight and the wiper arm mountings are tight where they poke through the scuttle.

[mini-luke]

How slow is very slow? Maybe a video would be the best way to show it.

By the standards of a modern car, they are certainly slow.

[thebullet]

Mine aren't the fastest wipers in the world, but I tightened the nut on the top of the motor that the arm is attached too and they go a bit faster without stopping half way up the screen!

I will be interested also how to get them working faster...

[mini13]

also tire ones can have trouble on a dry screen but may be fine once its raining.

[bluesprite]

Mine just needed greasing, espesially the gear rack mentioned earlier - when I took it out it was bone dry. It's easy to do if you've got a haynes manual to follow.

[Adam Mini]

Ok will have a look, on the 1st setting they judder up the screen (when wet) very slowly takes about 5 seconds up and 5 secs down. On the " faster setting" they dont judder but slowly move up for about 3 secs then down for 3 secs?

[OhDear]

Dont people know what greese is >.<

[james94]

It can be the power getting to them. Mine were really slow and I replaced my battery and they went mental :)

[lrostoke]

Its not uncommon for the wiper spindles to seize, or become very stiff.
I find spray grease is really good it seems to penetrate and lube :) ooohhh mrs

[Samini86]

Who needs wipers

[thebullet]

Its not uncommon for the wiper spindles to seize, or become very stiff.
I find spray grease is really good it seems to penetrate and lube :) ooohhh mrs

So can they be improved without removing anything, like undoing the nut ontop of the motor and extending the arm, greasing it a bit inside and then doing the nut up again? might work?

[freshairmini]

Its not uncommon for the wiper spindles to seize, or become very stiff.
I find spray grease is really good it seems to penetrate and lube :) ooohhh mrs

So can they be improved without removing anything, like undoing the nut ontop of the motor and extending the arm, greasing it a bit inside and then doing the nut up again? might work?

Its better to take it out. Not a massive job, just fiddly getting to the fixings. Much better to take it out, degrease, then re-grease with new grease

[Dan]

Without removing anything? Not really. If the rack needs greasing, it needs greasing all over. Open the motor gearbox, disonnect the rack, remove the wiper arms and pull the rack right out. Clean it and grease it. Carb or brake cleaner into the wheelbox spindles followed by spray grease and get them turning freely. Thoroughly clean and grease the whole of the rack cable. Add a small amount of grease into the gearbox. Reassemble and check the nuts are all tight where the wheelboxes connect to the bundy tube. Electrical cleaner (NOT WD40) to clean up the plug and the park switch properly and check the condition of the cables and connections. Should only take about an hour and they should then work like new. It's all done with lithium grease.

[Adam Mini]

Thanks guys