windscreen wiper issue - help needed!

[genphreak]

wiper arms commonly hit the hood, something about a worn bushing or you can replace the arm to a new style one that doesnt match the other one...

I never got the worn bushing theory. Mine hit like boxing legends but the pivot bushings are fine, no play at all. Even though RHD and LHD cars have different mechanisms and wiper arms, but it seems to affect both alike. I put this down to the latches dropping when the hoods collapse (from worn (old) bonnet struts)- ie this should fix most problems.

Phil Sanderson had a lot to tell me about it- he solved it on his 525 as such, but I've tried everything he told me. My passenger side one is made good by the bonnet-latch adjustment (not sure if it needs the spacers or works OK without). When I get a new driver's side wiper arm we'll see- I get the feeling the arm will wipe properly when set back one spline. I guess the bent ones simply cannot (ever) be trusted...

[genphreak]

wiper arms commonly hit the hood, something about a worn bushing or you can replace the arm to a new style one that doesnt match the other one...

Can you shed any light on the worn bushing theory Jeff? I just rebuilt my wiper mecho, adjusted the drivers wiper so it did the right wipe and then thought I nailed the problem by adjusting the bonnet lock bracket so it holds the bonnet as forward as far as it will go (didn't seem to make much visible difference and the new wipers still hit. Consolation- new motor is 200% better than the old one though

The I added another spacer so now my bonnet is higher than the imaginary curve following on from the edge of the fender. Wiper still hit.

So I adjusted the hood latches so they were located towards the maxium passenger side- to push the bonnet to the drivers side. This is the best thing as it got the bonnet away as much as possible- slight hit.

Bent my wiper arm (back to what I think is std) and it made a small amount of difference too, barely any knock. What a problem these wipers are!

Looks like I am still going to have to stump up for a new arm! Nick

[632 Regal]

I read about the bushing somewhere, no bookmarks on that one. BMA has the new style arms but like I said they dont match the other one from what I heard.

[genphreak]

I read about the bushing somewhere, no bookmarks on that one. BMA has the new style arms but like I said they dont match the other one from what I heard.

Thanks Jeff, Doh. I can't find anything either.. my problem is the car is RHD so the BMA's new arms will be no good (I doubt they have RHD). The stealer has 'em, but as usual they charge with 110V applied in full- they are like $300. Nick

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

is the easiest way to stop the hood rub problem.

Just grind down the wiper arm, re paint it.

No worries

[genphreak]

is the easiest way to stop the hood rub problem. Just grind down the wiper arm, re paint it. No worries

THanks Bob, my PO did that without a dremel, (they burned out the wiper motor doing it naturally). Seriosuly to fix it I'd be taking a 10mm chunk out of the arm, its that bad! Still- it's probably the best fix so far after adjusting the bonnet latches, bending the arm and moving the bonnet-latch lock back to its original position...

[632 Regal]

Wow! Maybe you should look into the bushing deal, sounds like somethings way off.

Seriosuly to fix it I'd be taking a 10mm chunk out of the arm, its that bad!

[genphreak]

Wow! Maybe you should look into the bushing deal, sounds like somethings way off.

Thanks Jeff- I have been... but no luck yet. To clarify things, I'll post some info from the realoem ETK. As you can see below, there is no bush (unless it is the one pressed into the main linkage (part #01).

What makes this problem even harder to work out is that my car has never had a collision, so it is not bad bonnet adjustment etc. that can normally cause such painful problems in cars.

Incidentally, here is one of the best technical info pages I found terribly interesting on the subject. Here is another (also from Sean & Johan's site) on the more complicated wiper system fitted to many euro and all top-e32 and e34 models - but beware, parts may be similar but are not all common between e32 and e34). This last link one helps people to understand the Pressure Adjusting Device (Part #04).

The PAD on mine jammed up so I took it out, dismantled and re-greased it, now it works like a trooper and gives a nice consistent wipe. Note that when dismantling one should take care- especially if yours is jammed (in fact I'd check out a good one to get the right positions set before putting the jammed one back together) Doing so risks pressuring the device internally as it winds up (once you are driving)- and as it is designed to do at high speed.

If not jammed, one should take care not change the position of the cam that operates the microswitch. When reinstalling the nylon worm gear (after greasing) one shoud wind the gear down to the lowest point before installing the black cover plate (with a new gasket of course (make your own ) so it doesn't fill up with water, corode internally and jam up again!

This PAD can also contribute to the bonnet bash problem if yours winds itself up somehow and won't give way (jams), in fact it might even cause the arm to bend and possibly scratch the bottom of the windscreen.

BTW; tools needed to dismantle- 7, 10 and 13mm socket with mini ratchet and extension bar. T-15 torx head screwdriver and also a 5mm allen key, 4 or 5mm flat blade screwdriver. Time and patience, especially removing the blower unit if removing the main wiper linkage (something I have not had to do servicing the motors)

[632 Regal]

new idea, why not get some Aquapel or rainex and forget the wipers? Im using the aquapel and dont need the wipers much at all unless misty conditions and slow.

[genphreak]

new idea, why not get some Aquapel or rainex and forget the wipers? Im using the aquapel and dont need the wipers much at all unless misty conditions and slow.

Awww ****, well I could perhaps try WD-40, it works wonders in the rain I hear.... I'd love to, but actually its so dusty here i don't trust it, but I might have a go and see, Tx, Nick