"Slop" in Mid-year Wiper Transmissions

[Grant M.]

Pardon the odd title, but is anyone familiar with the cause and (hopefully) a corrective measure for what I would describe as "slop" in the operation of my mid-year (65) wiper transmissions. The wipers work on both speeds, but there is an extra free movement of about 1- 1 1/2 inches at the end of travel (towards the windshield post on the driver's side) that causes the wiper to strike (and mark) the stainless moulding. I've had the car since 1987, but the wipers have only been used a handful of times since then and there is quite a worn "dent" in the driver's side windshield post moulding where the wiper blade has struck it. The stand-off thickness of the windshield post means that it's not the rubber blade that strikes the post, but the metal blade carrier, thus the cause of the "dent".

Thanks for any info/advice on this,

grant

[Michael H.]

Re: "Slop" in Mid-year Wiper Transmissions

Pardon the odd title, but is anyone familiar with the cause and (hopefully) a corrective measure for what I would describe as "slop" in the operation of my mid-year (65) wiper transmissions. The wipers work on both speeds, but there is an extra free movement of about 1- 1 1/2 inches at the end of travel (towards the windshield post on the driver's side) that causes the wiper to strike (and mark) the stainless moulding. I've had the car since 1987, but the wipers have only been used a handful of times since then and there is quite a worn "dent" in the driver's side windshield post moulding where the wiper blade has struck it. The stand-off thickness of the windshield post means that it's not the rubber blade that strikes the post, but the metal blade carrier, thus the cause of the "dent".

Thanks for any info/advice on this,

grant

Grant, do you have the wiper arm/blade assembly installed correctly with the drivers side below the pass side when parked? If not, the drivers side will contact the moulding.

[Grant M.]

Re: "Slop" in Mid-year Wiper Transmissions

Michael,

Yes I do; it was one of the first things I checked. What I have found is that, with the wipers off and manually trying to move the blades, there is a range of movement, back-and-forth of about 1 - 1 1/2 inches (measured at the tip of the blade), before resistance (I presume from the gear/motor assembly) is felt. That's the "slop" I refer to.

grant

[Chuck S.]

Re: "Slop" in Mid-year Wiper Transmissions

Michael,

Yes I do; it was one of the first things I checked. What I have found is that, with the wipers off and manually trying to move the blades, there is a range of movement, back-and-forth of about 1 - 1 1/2 inches (measured at the tip of the blade), before resistance (I presume from the gear/motor assembly) is felt. That's the "slop" I refer to.

grant

IF the C2 transmissions are like the C3 transmissions, they clamp onto the motor arm using copper inserts that are slotted for adjustment. If those copper inserts are worn out, or the tranmission/motor connection is loose, that is probably the source of the "slop".

I would inspect that connection for wear, then lubricate the joint, and torque the fasteners...I say torque because those little studs are pretty small; be careful you don't twist them off trying to eliminate the "slop". That is...IF the C2 transmissions are like the C3 transmissions.

[Stephen L.]

Re: "Slop" in Mid-year Wiper Transmissions

Hate to say it, but your "slop" is probably at the joint of the internal wiper arm (3 inch) and the shaft that the external wiper arm attaches to. This is located under the dash (inside the car) See Photo. These arms are usually "staked" onto the shaft and loosen with use.

Mine had some play in them also. While my car was apart for restoration, I welded the short arm to the shaft eliminating the play.

Removal of these items is tough with the dash assembled on a C2. Assume the same exists on a C3..... as they pass thru the cowl.

[Grant M.]

Re: "Slop" in Mid-year Wiper Transmissions

Stephen,

Thanks for your suggestion; it sounds like the most pausible source of my problem. Only the driver's side exhibits the 1- 1 1/2 inches of slop. The passenger side has only 1/4 - 1/2 inch or so and hasn't been hitting the trim moulding. I plan some gauge replacement and cluster refinishing this winter, so that would be the opportunity to confirm the source of the problem and attempt a fix. Noting that the transmission housing is pot metal, I assume the short arm and post are normal steel and thus your ability to weld them.

Thanks again, Stephen!

grant