My front windscreen wipers have stopped working - well they get half way and stop and then will move an inch if the stick is reset. I can push them and still feel a small amount of help from the motor. Could this be a bad earth? and if so where on earth do I find where the wiper motors earth would be? Or does it sound more like the motors knackered? Any help much appreciated

Hi SR

It is more likly to be seized spindles (common fault) and fairly easy repair if you

are mecanicaly minded.

remove scuttle plate, and disconect plug from motor, remove the wiper arms,I thing there is three bolts holding the whole assembley, remove them and lift away from car, spray WD40 or alike around spindles, then push off connecting ball joint away from motor (so arms are free to move) remove small circlip from spindles, and move arms back and forward to free off, do both arms and when both are free grease up and refit in reverse order. and that should cure it ! if you have not burnt the motor out first.

just one other thing, when you pull the spindles out, there is some washers just make sure you dont loose them and replace as they come out

Radiotwo

Edited 13 July, 200916 yr by DGW
Quote deleted. Members don't need to read the previous post again!

Thank you RADIOTWO. I was a bit nervous of removing the scuttle plate as the windscreen seal appears to be attached? And it feels a bit frail, but I'll have a go now you've put my mind at rest. I'll post the results in the next few days. A pint of four on my tab

My front windscreen wipers have stopped working - well they get half way and stop and then will move an inch if the stick is reset. I can push them and still feel a small amount of help from the motor. Could this be a bad earth? and if so where on earth do I find where the wiper motors earth would be? Or does it sound more like the motors knackered? Any help much appreciated

where are you ?

Radiotwo

I sanded off the corrosion on my spindles before packing with grease and reassembling - 2 1/2 years ago, and they have been fine since. Have a search on here for scuttle panel removal - it has been covered quite a lot.

I posted some links to a few pictures too when I did mine, I'll see if I can find them again later....

If you grind a small flat along the length of the spindle whilst you have it in bits you can get more grease in and it gets wiped back and forth when the wipers are on.

This gives you a small reservoir of grease rather than just relying on the thin film that you get normally.

Thanks for the excellent walk through RADIOTWO, I've finally got around to trying to sort this out. Unfortunately I cant seem to get the wiper spindles free - I've removed the circlips and washers and one spindle is just about moving but I can't get the spindles out of the bracket. Is there a bearing set inside the bracket? Its been soaking in WD40 for 2 days now and I've tried thumping them out with a mallet but could only get them to move a couple of mil and I dont want to damage the thread. Is this a lost cause?

Hi SR

It is more likly to be seized spindles (common fault) and fairly easy repair if you

are mecanicaly minded.

remove scuttle plate, and disconect plug from motor, remove the wiper arms,I thing there is three bolts holding the whole assembley, remove them and lift away from car, spray WD40 or alike around spindles, then push off connecting ball joint away from motor (so arms are free to move) remove small circlip from spindles, and move arms back and forward to free off, do both arms and when both are free grease up and refit in reverse order. and that should cure it ! if you have not burnt the motor out first.

just one other thing, when you pull the spindles out, there is some washers just make sure you dont loose them and replace as they come out

Radiotwo

Try using a real dismantling lubricant like PlusGas, not Water Dispersant-40!

Thanks for all the excellent advice. I finally gave up trying to release the wiper spindles, after trying a penetrating oil (couldn't find PlusGas, so got the 3-1 version). One just wouldn't budge and looking at the corrosion, probably never would

Checked the motor and that was still good, so bought a new bracket for £40 inc vat, greased everything up and its working like a dream.

Once again many thanks everyone