question about windshield wipers
question about windshield wipers
I haven't had my FB for too long..only about 2 months or so. It's an 84 GSL. I noticed the windshield wipers are very loud...ie you can hear the motor easily. Sure, when driving, the engine drowns out the sound, but when your at a standstill, you can def. hear the wiper motors. I'm curious if that's normal, or are mine going bad/need oiling, what?
Also, the wiper blades seem to be the correct size, but they're not clearing a large enough portion of the windshield IMO. Can I just stick on longer blades? If so, has anyone else done this, and which ones did you use?
Oh and I know about Rainex...this is for when I'm going too slow for Rainex to work hehe
Thanks
~Ramy
Also, the wiper blades seem to be the correct size, but they're not clearing a large enough portion of the windshield IMO. Can I just stick on longer blades? If so, has anyone else done this, and which ones did you use?
Oh and I know about Rainex...this is for when I'm going too slow for Rainex to work hehe
Thanks
~Ramy
I would advise you get yourself a 17mm, 14mm, 10mm, screwdriver and a pocket knife. take out the assembly. Disassemble it and clean and grease it. If you do a search on windshield wipers there is a good write up on why and how to do this. I just did mine today. My wipers would work about 10 minutes then stop in the middle of the windshield. Took a little under two hours but mine was damn stuborn to get apart.
good luck
good luck
would you mind hooking up a quick overview on how to disassemble the wiper assembly? mine doesn't work unless i give it a push and that doesn't work out so well for where i live.
driving 100mi in the rain with ONLY rainex can get hairy
driving 100mi in the rain with ONLY rainex can get hairy
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 457
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From: Calgary, AB
Just start taking things apart cpt_gloval. Start with freeing the wiper arm and the shaft from the body panels and then take off the grill in front of the windshield.
It's pretty simple actually. Not too much can go wrong. Just make sure that you NEVER engage the wiper assembly while you're holding it.
It's pretty simple actually. Not too much can go wrong. Just make sure that you NEVER engage the wiper assembly while you're holding it.
Originally Posted by Bolox
whats rainx?
I have it on my FD's windshield, and I almost NEVER use my windshield wipers. If I'm doin 50mph+, the Rain-x actually works *better* than the best wipers lol.
Originally Posted by seanrot
I would advise you get yourself a 17mm, 14mm, 10mm, screwdriver and a pocket knife. take out the assembly. Disassemble it and clean and grease it. If you do a search on windshield wipers there is a good write up on why and how to do this. I just did mine today. My wipers would work about 10 minutes then stop in the middle of the windshield. Took a little under two hours but mine was damn stuborn to get apart.
good luck
good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB
I think if you lubed it up maybe it wouldn't be working the motor so hard and it would quiet it down a bit. Plus even if not, the wipers siezing up is a common problem and you're better to lube everything up (mainly the shafts that sieze) before it starts siezing.
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it's THE DUDE not Jesus!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Urbana/Normal IL
Here is something I found about how to lube the assemblies
Originally Posted by peejay
Common. At least, both of my 1st-gen suffered this.
Pull the wiper arms off, remove the big nuts holding the studs to the cowl, remove the cowl panel, unbolt and remove the wiper assembly.
Usually only one of the studs that the wiper arm attaches to is siezed. You'll want to do this to both while you have it all out in front of you.
Now. You get to spend a lot of quality time unsiezing the wiper studs. Remove them from the assembly (should be obvious) and clamp the thread part in a vise with bood blocks to protect them. You want to keep them from moving but you do NOT want to damage the threads or crush the threaded sleeve. (Again, this will be obvious when you have the parts in front of you) Now grab the lever part of the stud with vise-grips or something else with plenty of leverage, hose it all down with your favorite penetrating oil (PB Blaster is GOD) and work it loose.
Ok, so you've worked it loose so it kinda moves a bit. Unclamp the stud/sleeve assembly, remove the C-clip that holds the stud in, clamp it all back up and work the stud out.
An hour or so of swearing later, the stud is out. Clean the sleeve out thoroughly with a drill bit, or preferably a stiff wire pipecleaner like tool in a drill. Wire brush the snot out of the stud. Fit it back in to make sure it goes in easily and spins easily. Now take it back apart, coat everything with black brake caliper grease, or if that's not available, silver anti-sieze.
Do the same to the other stud, as preventative maintenance, and put it all back together. Hopefully you will have remembered the corrent order I like to lay the parts out "in order" to make reassembly easier.
Pull the wiper arms off, remove the big nuts holding the studs to the cowl, remove the cowl panel, unbolt and remove the wiper assembly.
Usually only one of the studs that the wiper arm attaches to is siezed. You'll want to do this to both while you have it all out in front of you.
Now. You get to spend a lot of quality time unsiezing the wiper studs. Remove them from the assembly (should be obvious) and clamp the thread part in a vise with bood blocks to protect them. You want to keep them from moving but you do NOT want to damage the threads or crush the threaded sleeve. (Again, this will be obvious when you have the parts in front of you) Now grab the lever part of the stud with vise-grips or something else with plenty of leverage, hose it all down with your favorite penetrating oil (PB Blaster is GOD) and work it loose.
Ok, so you've worked it loose so it kinda moves a bit. Unclamp the stud/sleeve assembly, remove the C-clip that holds the stud in, clamp it all back up and work the stud out.
An hour or so of swearing later, the stud is out. Clean the sleeve out thoroughly with a drill bit, or preferably a stiff wire pipecleaner like tool in a drill. Wire brush the snot out of the stud. Fit it back in to make sure it goes in easily and spins easily. Now take it back apart, coat everything with black brake caliper grease, or if that's not available, silver anti-sieze.
Do the same to the other stud, as preventative maintenance, and put it all back together. Hopefully you will have remembered the corrent order I like to lay the parts out "in order" to make reassembly easier.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 739
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From: NE Ohio
To adjust the coverage issue, pull the nut off the wiper stud and reposition it. I had to do this to mine. Do it with the window wet and remember when you're moving that the wipers will swing a bit long, especially at freeway speeds, so that you dont overshoot and go off the windshield.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,119
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From: Virginia
Ramy, what car are you driving to the Mazda sausagefest on Saturday? I am probably going also and might be able to tell you whats wrong of if it sounds normal. I probably won't have time to go pick up the FD before sat. so I'll have a FB or something else.
Maybe your blades are too short. They increased the length of the stock blades some time in the FB series. If longer ones will fit, through the whole range of wiper motion, it won't hurt to use them. If the motor itself is loud perhaps that is the problem, but they last a long time.
The wiper overhaul procedure is a good idea, but can be more complicated and take longer than might be expected. The ball and socket type joints are somewhat fragile and the plastic sometimes comes apart in your hand, so be careful if you remove it.
I acquired a car that the PO had lost the caps over the wiper studs. Water got into the studs and they had seized up. Soaking them in penetrating oil (break free, wd-40, etc.) overnight loosened them up enough to disassemble.
Is black brake caliper grease better than white lithium grease? Guess I screwed up then, LOL.
Maybe your blades are too short. They increased the length of the stock blades some time in the FB series. If longer ones will fit, through the whole range of wiper motion, it won't hurt to use them. If the motor itself is loud perhaps that is the problem, but they last a long time.
The wiper overhaul procedure is a good idea, but can be more complicated and take longer than might be expected. The ball and socket type joints are somewhat fragile and the plastic sometimes comes apart in your hand, so be careful if you remove it.
I acquired a car that the PO had lost the caps over the wiper studs. Water got into the studs and they had seized up. Soaking them in penetrating oil (break free, wd-40, etc.) overnight loosened them up enough to disassemble.
Is black brake caliper grease better than white lithium grease? Guess I screwed up then, LOL.
Thanks for the info guys. I'mma give it a shot, and see how it goes lol
Umm...most probably the FD. But that's IF it doesn't rain...cuz I'm not going to come if it's raining, which it looks like it will. (BTW, I don't think I caught your name in the other thread... oh and guess what? I got pulled over the other night... :shaking head: 
).
Originally Posted by cosmicbang
Ramy, what car are you driving to the Mazda sausagefest on Saturday? I am probably going also and might be able to tell you whats wrong of if it sounds normal. I probably won't have time to go pick up the FD before sat. so I'll have a FB or something else.
).
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
"Saturday (24 hours): Scattered thunderstorms possible. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the upper 40s."
If it rains I don't know either... JD sure is heavily promoting this thing. He has what, 4 or 5 threads about it? Too bad about getting pulled over.
-George
If it rains I don't know either... JD sure is heavily promoting this thing. He has what, 4 or 5 threads about it? Too bad about getting pulled over.
-George
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