Wiper question....

[Rome]

So I just installed my wipers. Question,.. when I turn it on the range of the wiper is very small. Starting from the bottom position the blades only come up a quarter of the way up. Is there a way to adjust that to get the full range of the wiping area? Also, do I just push in the wiper arms into the wheelbox until it clicks in place?

thanks in advance...

[edwardb]

I'm assuming you're using the standard Lucas set-up, including the motor/gearbox assembly? No, the amount of sweep isn't adjustable. But you should get much more than that. I bent the arms on mine slightly so they are parked exactly along the bottom of the windshield frame (a common mod) but they still sweep to about 45 degrees past vertical. Something is wrong with your setup. The cable is slipping in the wheel boxes, or something is wrong with the gearbox not giving full movement of the cable, or maybe the wiper arm is slipping on the shaft. While they're sweeping, do they stop or make any kind of grinding sound? Many struggle to get a good mesh on the cable/wheel box gears. Some also have trouble with the splines on the wiper arms matching up with the wheel box shaft.

Yes, the wiper arms click onto the wheel box. Once they're seated, not particularly easy to get on and off. At least mine aren't.

[jlfernan]

Here are mine action. I just finished installing them. Forgive the music. I also bent them a bit so they would sit lower on the windshield.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/N8LCydTbRKQ


http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[Rome]

Yes, using the standard set up provide with the complete kit option. Maybe I am wrong about this. I did not put the wiper arms on the wheel box yet as I realized they would be a pain to remove, and I will be taking the body off soon for paint. So I tried to estimate the sweep. Maybe it's wider than it seems.

[Rome]

Here are mine action. I just finished installing them. Forgive the music. I also bent them a bit so they would sit lower on the windshield.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/N8LCydTbRKQ


http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

Thanks, videos are always helpful. So yeah, I might get that kind of sweep from mine. I was starting from the bottom of the windshield instead of from higher. so as a result my blades weren't coming as far as yours. quick question. do they rest in that position? You said you bent them so they would sit lower. do they go lower when they shut off or do the blades rest at the bottom point of the arc in your video?
Nice job btw

[jlfernan]

I don't have the park feature set up on mine. I have to time them so they stop at the bottom of the stroke. I bent them after this video was taken. They now rest at the bottom of the glass where it meets the frame.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8448/dscf3028z.jpg


http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[edwardb]

What most mean by "park" in this context is that when you turn the switch off, they continue to sweep until reaching the bottom of the arc and then automatically shut off. This can be done with a purpose made Lucas switch, available from ********** and probably other places. I used the Lucas switch, and it works the way it's supposed to. I recall schematics where guys have done the same thing without the Lucas switch. Other guys just use a regular switch and power them off at exactly the right moment to stop at the bottom or park position. These wipers don't have an actual "park" sequence, e.g. going into reverse and parking at the bottom of the windshield like some DD's do. You just have to have a way to stop them at the right moment.

When you actually install the arms, you're going to find a spline position that puts the arms near the park position, but likely a little above the windshield frame and also the wiper itself not parallel to the windshield frame. Some guys leave them this way, but looks a lot better and more finished if the arm is bent putting the wiper down and more parallel to the frame. Search for this in the other forum, and you'll find multiple threads describing. They can be bent without heat, but I had a couple spare arms and tried both ways. Heat works much better. Clamp the wiper end of the arm in a vise, and heat the bend. I used a propane type torch with MAPP gas. Will probably take a couple of tries to get the angle just right. I used a polishing wheel and compound and where I heated them cleaned right up. Probably will be slightly different for each arm, so keep track of which is which. Also, I wouldn't recommend doing this until final assembly. Also watch those wiper arms. I spilled blood several times during my build, but the best (worst...) was from the back side of the wiper arm shell. They're razor sharp.

I don't have a picture of just the wipers on mine, but you can see them pretty well in this overhead shot.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/th_IMG_1536.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%203%20Roadster%20Build/Finished/?action=view&current=IMG_1536.jpg)

[Rome]

Thank you guys. Very informative and very helpful. Exactly what I needed to know. Gorgeous cars btw.