Wiper motor access

[Dster]

My wiper motor has only slow speed, same speed whether switch is in partial or full on position. I tore the switch apart, cleaned all contacts, put it back together and it tests fine. I want to get at the wiper motor to test connections, etc. The question is do I have to take the dash off completely, including taking off the steering column?
Thx!

[Nissanman]

Just before you blame the motor, check the integrity of the wiper pivots.
My guess is that they are binding badly resulting in the slow operating speed.
Easily verified by disconnecting the linkage and operating the motor.
The pivots, if binding, will need to be carefully pressed out, thoroughly cleaned, re-lubed an re-assembled.
I also fitted a small length of heat shrink tubing over the pivot and housing to act as a weather seal to try and protect the pivots from future problems.

wiper pivot weather boot.jpg

[Dster]

Thx I’ll give it a try!

[Dster]

Ok I tried this and now there’s a definite difference between the two speeds, the faster being maybe twice as fast. I don’t think it’s good enough for a really hard rain, but this may be what it’s supposed to be. Does any one know how fast it should be?

[Nissanman]

Once the pivots operate correctly, you will probably see that the wiper speed is adequate for rain. I don't think the wiper motors fail very often.

[funkaholik]

The pivots, if binding, will need to be carefully pressed out, thoroughly cleaned, re-lubed, and re-assembled.

I searched in the tech wiki but couldn't find a write-up on how to do this. Does anyone have some helpful info on it before I tackle it?
My wipers currently have two speeds - painfully slow and stop.

[Nissanman]

You'll need to undo the retaining nuts holding the pivot assy to the body (located outside the car).
Not very obvious but see P/N 29 and 30 below.

Then you can withdraw the entire linkage into the cabin area.
Now, you have to be very patient and very careful. to extract the pivots from their housings.
Use the penetration fluid of your choice, PB Blaster/WD-40/CRC 5-56, whatever, and let soak for some time.
Try rotating the pivots and moving them backwards, re-applying more penetrant.
Eventually they will part company with the housing.
Then use a wire brush/wheel to clean up the pivot and housing bore: don't be too heavy handed the metal is soft.
Once it is all squeaky clean and rotating smoothly, re-lube the rotating bits with a good quality grease.
I use Castrol PH zinc oxide grease.


Fit a little sleeve over the shaft like I mentioned before and you are right for another 50 years!

[Gregs672000]

^Nice... I learn something new even after 38 years of ownership! Thanks for sharing.

[funkaholik]

Niussanman, this is super helpful! Thanks for the diagram, too. I believe I've read that some people have made a special tool for removing the retaining nuts by cutting notches in a deep socket, or something like that? Luckily for me, I don't have to worry about scratching nice paint when removing the wiper arms or pivot nuts.

Thanks again. You are certainly living up to your signature.

[DAC21]

Seems to me IIRC, if there isn't a lot of obvious corrosion that requires disassembly that per Mike Young there is a procedure that he performs drilling a tiny hole and using a syringe / needle to inject lubricant. I'm sure I have seen pictures that he has posted, but I could be liquored up and / or he posted the instructions on the Facebook page.

Edit, it was Curtis that posted photo's performing Mike's procedure. Here is the link

viewtopic.php?p=319303&hilit=wiper+pivo ... ng#p319303

[funkaholik]

Nice tip (pun intended) and thanks for the link.

[RBMann]

My personal cautionary tale. Same problem so I pulled the dash and removed the whole assembly to clean and lube. Reassembled and the wipers didn't work. Dash out again to find I had knock a wire loose in wiper motor during the process.

viewtopic.php?p=303530#p303530

[funkaholik]

IIRC the wiper arms themselves just pull straight off. Then I can work on getting the pivot nuts off and drop the assembly under the dash. Should have done this when all my gauges, etc were out!

[Steve_69]

This is great information. I see some opportunity to make some improvements before I reinstall all of my under-dash equipment!

[23yrRebuild]

Here is what the inside of my '67 wiper motor looks like, and I had to get a new spot weld on the pivot arm...I wish I had taken some pics when I had the armature, stator, and brushes removed. It was a real PIA putting all of THAT back together !