Fast windshield wipers

[spidernut]

I'm in the re-assembly stage on my 80 Spider after having it painted. I had all the trim, handles, bumpers and such all bolted back in place and then I got to my wipers and cowling as the last thing for the night. I spent a lot of time taking apart and cleaning the wiper mechanism. On a whim, I started turning the shafts that hold the wiper arms and they had a ton of resistance. After carefully lifting up the rubber seal on the top of the shafts, I was able to get some spray lubricant inside so I could clean out the years of gunk. Plenty of rusty lubricant leaked back out. Once I put it all back together and reconnected the wiring, I have never seen Fiat wipers move so fast! I was thoroughly amazed!!!

Now I just have to find the missing clip that holds one side of the plastic grates into the cowling and figure out where I put the nozzle for one of the windshield washers. Don't you hate it when you lose something?

[baltobernie]

I was about to ridicule you for even having windshield wipers in California, then thought I'd better check the map I keep forgetting the entire state is not Oceano

[dantye]

... the lesson here is that it is best to check-out the wipers and WS washer system and get everything AOK *** BEFORE *** painting. The same applies to many other systems: lighting, power windows. etc. etc. etc.

That (plus lack of money ) is why I have not painted yet - if ever.

[papadopalas]

I'm in the re-assembly stage on my 80 Spider after having it painted. I had all the trim, handles, bumpers and such all bolted back in place and then I got to my wipers and cowling as the last thing for the night. I spent a lot of time taking apart and cleaning the wiper mechanism. On a whim, I started turning the shafts that hold the wiper arms and they had a ton of resistance. After carefully lifting up the rubber seal on the top of the shafts, I was able to get some spray lubricant inside so I could clean out the years of gunk. Plenty of rusty lubricant leaked back out. Once I put it all back together and reconnected the wiring, I have never seen Fiat wipers move so fast! I was thoroughly amazed!!!

Now I just have to find the missing clip that holds one side of the plastic grates into the cowling and figure out where I put the nozzle for one of the windshield washers. Don't you hate it when you lose something?

How did you lift up the rubber seal? I can't figure this one out!?

[spidernut]

I had a very thin and small screwdriver. I only had to lift it enough to get lubricant in the shaft. I had the entire mechanism apart so I could turn the shaft from beneath as I worked on it. My 79 doesn't have the rubber gasket. It has a metal flexible washer which was much harder to work with.

[papadopalas]

My 79 doesn't have the rubber gasket. It has a metal flexible washer which was much harder to work with.

No wonder I couldn't do it. mine is a 79 also with the metal washer. Doesn't seem so flexible though. Any trick I should know to get it off? Thinking of drilling a small hole in the side to squirt some WD-40 inside.

[spidernut]

Yeah, that washer is a pain. There's no easy way to get the washer lifted. Drilling a hole in the side of the shaft would work to inject lubricant. I'd recommend plugging it once it has been lubricated to keep future moisture out. Great idea!

[courtenay]

Wow, I didn't think I'd ever see the words "fast", "wipers" and "Fiat" in the same sentence! Well done.

[garion]

Wipers? What are those? I live in Phoenix.

Quick story. I was driving from Phx to Vegas, and a rock came up an cracked my windshield. I'd only had the car 6 months (not the spider, my DD). I called up Safelite from Kingman to schedule replacement while staying in Vegas.. They asked me if I had a rain sensor. I had no idea. They ask if my wipers came on when it was wet. I responded that I lived in Phoenix, and hadn't seen rain in the 6 month I'd owned the car. Laughter ensued. Turns out that I do have a rain sensor, after they brought one without one first.

[papadopalas]

Yeah, that washer is a pain. There's no easy way to get the washer lifted. Drilling a hole in the side of the shaft would work to inject lubricant. I'd recommend plugging it once it has been lubricated to keep future moisture out. Great idea!

Wish I could say I thought of it all by myself but I can't. Check this out. http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=24945