9 replies to this topic

[MiniJam]

Model:Roundnose
Year:1998
Description of problem (please be as in depth as possible):I bought some chrome wipers a while ago and have just got the time to fit them now. But it appears that the teeth that hold onto the cylinder are too wide apart and aren't gripping properly so the wipers either aren't moving or not moving fast enough with the speed of the motor. Do you think I should glue them on? It should solve the problem but also might cause others when I'm trying to remove them - but I'm trying to think of a time where I would need to remove the whole wiper arm...

[dklawson]

Your observation that glue will make the arms difficult to remove later is correct. Your car is a little over 10 years old. While it may seem unlikely that you will ever need to remove the arms, there are several situations where this is necessary.

These are five scenarios that quickly come to my mind why you would not want to glue the arms on.
1. It's much easier to replace a windscreen with the arms totally out of the way.
2. Over time the lube in the wheelboxes below the scuttle hardens and it may become necessary to remove the wheelboxes for service or replacement.
3. At some point in the future the scuttle panel itself may become riddled with rust and you may want to have it replaced.
4. The wiper motor may need to be replaced at some point. Removing the flexible rack and related components may be necessary. (This really is best done with the wiper arms removed... but I guess it isn't 100% required).
5. The wiper motor may be "disturbed" at some point requiring that the park circuit be adjusted... and therefore the arm positions changed.

All of these things may happen over time.

In addition to the above, any glue that you use would have to be VERY strong to resist the effects of long term exposure to the elements AND resist the torque necessary to drive the wiper arms.

[bmcecosse]

There is obviously something sadly wrong with the arms you have - or the wheel boxes. But I assume your old wipers worked ok - so you should take the new arms back for a refund. Glueing is NOT the answer!!

[midridge2]

as a temporary measure you could drill right through the arm and wiper spindle and put a small bolt and nut in, but as roy has said the wiper wheel boxes might need replacing.

[MiniJam]

I don't think I can take them back now, I've already fitted on some of the of the chrome bits. But I could try...

I just need to make the grip tight enough

[Ethel]

Aluminium tank tape? I still think you'd run the risk of your wipers flying over a hedge somewhere down the road. Is there anywhere thick enough to drill and tap for a grub screw?

[MiniJam]

I think I'm just going to have to buy new arms really. But I don't even know if all the other chrome wipers out there are the same. The only other place I know where to get these from is Mini Spares.

[dklawson]

but as roy has said ...

As in "Roy Allingham"?
When I saw the locomotive in the avatar I was wondering if that was Roy.

[Ivor Badger]

Aradite them on if that is the easiest, the 24hour stuff. When you want to remove them, simply put a decent sized soldering bolt (80w+) on the spindle end and the Araldite will melt.

[dave21478]

Someone already mentioned the best idea if you cant take them back. Fit them in the right position, then drill a hole right through the base and the spindle. Fit a stainles steel nut and bolt through the hole.