7 replies to this topic

[Dave_S]

Over a period of several months of irregular use the windscreen wipers became progressively more reluctant to move until they no longer moved at all.

 

The wiper motor appears to run fine and the rotor turns.  I have tested this with the connecting rod from the rotor to the cable disconnected.

 

https://www.flickr.c...land/es3840kWP9

 

Can that rotor operate under no load but seize as soon as a load comes on?   

 

I tried pulling the cable through but after about 7cm or so movement it jammed, and proved impossible to push back in.  I have been convinced that either the cable was totally gunged up in the area of the two wiper arm boxes or the mechanism in the boxes themselves is seized.   If I unscrew the nuts on the wiper spindles is it possible to withdraw the entire edifice sideways out, or must all the gubbins on the bulkhead be removed to get access?

 

Thoughts and advice from anyone with knowledge of what’s under there would be gratefully received.

 

 

 

[KTS]

if you can unscrew the nuts on the wiper spindles, and undo/loosen the nuts that clamp the tubes to the spindles, you should be able to get the assembly out.  don't be tempted to force it though, the guide tubes aren't that strong and will get bent out of shape

[Ethel]

My experience is that it's usually the shafts of the wheel boxes that seize.

[Dave_S]

...undo/loosen the nuts that clamp the tubes to the spindles..

 

Thanks for the advice.  I can't picture this, is this something that requires access from the engine bay, or are they visible through the bodywork holes where the spindles come through?  (oh - I working on-street because that's the way things are in London W9!)

 

 

My experience is that it's usually the shafts of the wheel boxes that seize.

That is good to know, I have seen videos where that is repairable - once the wheel boxes are on the work bench!

[KTS]

access from the engine bay

 

this is what the assembly looks like on the bench - the fasteners in question are underneath the wheel boxes in this view (..so facing backwards when in situ, just to make life easier  )

 

Edited by KTS, 03 April 2023 - 02:17 PM.

[Dave_S]

Ah, so if I could undo the nuts on the wheelbox the tube guides and the cable will be released so I could take the two wheelboxes out individually (noting your big IF in your first reply)

 

With the engine in situ and all the gubs like the inertia switch and various relays in the way I think this is way beyond my roadside repair ability.   The motor has a terminal on one of the motor cover screws which looks like an earth for the charcoal purge valve thing mounted on the strut just next to the motor, but that's not a problem, just noting that it is a tiny little bit different to yours.

 

See the socket on your bench, is that the right size for the screws on the motor cover plate?  Mine fell off the end of screwdriver, made a few dink noises as it descended but never appeared on the tarmac below! 

 

Thanks very much for your help KTS

[KTS]

the nuts tend to corrode onto the spindles if they've been there a while - the downside of mixing steel and aluminium.

 

you may not need to completely remove the wheelboxes; loosening them off will allow them to rotate which may help when trying to guide it out.

 

that socket is more likely to be 5/16" for the wheelbox nuts.  the wiper cover screws take a 1/4" socket.  

 

you're not the first to discover the wormhole that exists down the back of a mini engine bay; give it a year or so and whatever you dropped down it will magically reappear...

[Dave_S]

KTS - again your guidance is much appreciated, thank you