Wipers ... Ughh

[LateApex]

Of all the silly things to wrestle with ...

[facultyofmusic]

Yeah man I hear ya. I (for some reason) love the look of having wipers, but after reading several threads about what a PITA it is I've decided to just leave it out. Hope yours will be done soon!

[Skuzzy]

I am not looking forward to installing them either. I really do not like the cable driver windshield wipers, but that seems to be what we are stuck with.

[racingandfishing]

I take it you are using the ones supplied by F5 and not the ones like Paul used?

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26630-Edwardb%92s-Gen-3-Type-65-Coyote-Coupe-59-Build-Complete-and-Graduated&p=317637&viewfull=1#post317637

[Cincy123]

I just installed the specialty power window setup in my coupe build. Bit of a pain getting the motor unit lined up but is very robust and easy to adjust the sweep angle. Highly recommend rather then FFR setup ( which used on my roadster).

[LateApex]

I take it you are using the ones supplied by F5 and not the ones like Paul used?

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26630-Edwardb%92s-Gen-3-Type-65-Coyote-Coupe-59-Build-Complete-and-Graduated&p=317637&viewfull=1#post317637

Yep. Not impressed with the design, and it certainly was not packaged for the coupe. Better than the wipers on my 47 Studebaker ... maybe :-)

I don't plan to use them. I don't have side windows either. But the state inspection / VIN assignment requires 'em.

[LateApex]

Yeah man I hear ya. I (for some reason) love the look of having wipers, but after reading several threads about what a PITA it is I've decided to just leave it out. Hope yours will be done soon!

My pre-edited note of last evening was a little harsher :-)

Last items to be installed before a VIN inspection this Thursday was the windshield and wiper blades. Nice fresh paint job on the body of course. I install the window, mount the blades to the wiper posts and make sure they operate. PS wiper engine starts skipping teeth and the wiper blade starts slapping my cowl. That is enuf to make one see red. And of course to find the problem ...

The engines are flimsy. The back side of the post / engines are easily flexed such that the gear does not squarely engage the cable. Flimsy as in just the act of pressing on the wiper blade was enough to bend or open up that gap where the gear spins.

So ... it may serve you well to verify that you have no slop in the post after you install your wiper blades. At least it is an easy fix. Just use your little pinkie to press the post backing back into place - Yikes ...

A better fix is to find a better setup IMO

First world problems - Haha

[Jhinkemeyer]

Yeah, mine were just to be legal, but got caught in the rain and decided to give them a try, worthless f-ing things!

Worth noting the rain drops were on the inside of the glass..it was quite a downpour as you can see based on the dash and steering wheel!

173121173122173123

[JohnK]

I'm installing the Specialty Power Windows wiper kit in my roadster and having compared it side by side with the FFR unit it's clearly a far more robust design that will actually work when needed vs. just being there to meet a state requirement.

[Skuzzy]

Well, I really do not want to use a cable driven wiper system, soooo out to the wrecking yard I go. I'll rip apart a 60's something wiper system and figure out how to make it work. Push comes to shove, I'll just make the arms and Frankenstein it all together.

I have time. A critical part is on back order until the end of November. Damn it.

[J R Jones]

I have two car projects with the "push me pull you" wiper system. I made the Lucas system function by integrating a Lexus motor and transmission.
I rejected the second PMPU system. I am trying dual motors which is easier in some regards. The cost is not salvage yard, but affordable. The arm and blade length options were a benefit in my application. I did not have to stagger lengths, but that is possible.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086D71L9Z?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image

They will be here tomorrow.

jim

[LateApex]

Well, I really do not want to use a cable driven wiper system, soooo out to the wrecking yard I go. I'll rip apart a 60's something wiper system and figure out how to make it work. Push comes to shove, I'll just make the arms and Frankenstein it all together.

I have time. A critical part is on back order until the end of November. Damn it.

Waiting for back-order parts really hurt my check book. "Let's see, what to do, waiting, what to do? Hmmm - got it! Let's build a thingamabob just like I've always wanted!"

Haha

[LateApex]

Yeah, mine were just to be legal, but got caught in the rain and decided to give them a try, worthless f-ing things!

Worth noting the rain drops were on the inside of the glass..it was quite a downpour as you can see based on the dash and steering wheel!

173121173122173123

Oh, that sucks! Looks just like my wipers yesterday.

This Winter, between ski days, I have a feeling that I will be in the shop correcting past sins ....

Oh yes, driving in the rain with no side windows requires an advanced technique called "Dodging every raindrop". I understand there is no school for this. You either have it or you don't ;-)

[DW66]

Honestly if the FFR wipers are set up correctly they don’t work that bad for as much as you’ll need them. Just sayin.

[LateApex]

Honestly if the FFR wipers are set up correctly they don’t work that bad for as much as you’ll need them. Just sayin.

That is why I issued a cautionary note about checking the "vertical" or axial play of the wiper posts. Any play there translates to gear wheel / cable mis-alignment. I am tempted to stick with the FFR wiper engines, but over-Winter may reinforce the back side (if you will) to assure gear / cable alignment.

Not working "that bad" is part of my part quality rant. The FFR setup is sloppy, the sweep is short, and it takes a couple of strokes to park. Sorry, it is crap.

Hoping I don't need them :-) Going to rely on Rain-X if it is not yet on some hazmat list.

... Mr. Sunny Day Driver

[Jeff Kleiner]

Honestly if the FFR wipers are set up correctly they don’t work that bad for as much as you’ll need them. Just sayin.

True. My #1 piece of advice is to NEVER run them on a dry windshield. For setup and testing purposes put a paper towel under the blades so that they can move without the rubber dragging on the dry glass.

Jeff

[Skuzzy]

Well, as someone who is building a primary vehicle, which will be driven a lot, I need something I can count on. Every aspect of my build is preceded with the question, "How is this going to hold up over the next 10 years?" Fortunately, I have the engineering background to answer that question with some level of confidence. Having access to a full machine shop also helps.

In other words, I am over building the crap out of my car. :D Windshield wipers are no exception. The supplied system might be fine for occasional use but will not hold up in my application.

[John Thuman]

Having worked on British cars with this system for 20 years a few tips. Light coating of grease o the cable is your friend. Alignment between the bits is everything. Getting a good flare on the tube ens is also important. Mine are installed with out the windshield in place and drag free they seem to work fine. We shall see.

[rthomas98]

Couple of additional tips because Johns were good (especially the grease on the line very important). Put nuts on the back of the clamping screw you really want to clamp the gear boxes down. Ditch the stainless steel tubes and go either standard steel or nicop, something that you can bend easily and get the angles correct. Also I did not double flare the lines you aren't sealing it. A single flare made for wider point to ensure the tube doesn't want to slide out from the gear box. A double flare is slightly smaller and if the clamp opens a little bit (and it does) the tube wants to slide out. Finally either drill and tap a set screw in the Factory Five arm where it installs on the gear or ditch them all together and get ********** wiper arms. The factory five ones has a spring that doesn't last very long to hold it on. It will pop off. But already used mine twice with no issues and these were the things I did to get it to work.

**Edit** should of mentioned mine is on a roadster.

[lance corsi]

Yes, wipers can be a real bear. I chose to get mine from a 2011 Pacifica. The type that bypass, not the parallel style. I just have always liked this type and since my 818 has a roof scoop, I think the bypass type would funnel less water into my roof scoop by pushing it off to both sides. I took the entire assembly and made mounts to work on my car. The linkages had to be modified and heim joints were used in place of the oem pivots. My wiper arms had to be modified in order to fit below my hood at rest and I used 2008 Jeep Cherokee wiper arms, which are equally offset, allowing them to nest at the parked position. The whole process took me several weeks.

[LateApex]

So, I head to the State Patrol office and get the "road-worthy" inspection, which I passed (per CO requirements) One act to perform was demonstrate wipers. I flipped the switch on, and flipped it off. I hate running wipers on a dry windshield - don't you? Of course the wipers don't park worth a damn, but it passed.

I am told 8-10 weeks from inspection to VIN assigned. Looks like the DMV is picking up ex-postal workers. Just in time for Christmas, except of course, it will be Winter ...

"Always look at the bright side of life" :-) I'll have all Winter to think about and tackle wipers, and differential weeps, and subtle bonnet alignment changes, and any of a number of other bits that should be already in bed, but are restless.

Bottom line: The FFR wipers are a joke! They suck These should not be hoisted on kit customers. Ughh :-)