Wiper Cable Repair

SuperDave

Having a broken or frayed wiper cable on a step down need not be an expensive complete replacement. Being "money challanged" after a trip to the Nats. I went to Ace hardware and bought a length of 1/16" cable and a piece of 1/16" hollow brass tube to use as the crimped or swaged ends. I couldn't find swages that were small enough to match the Hudson originals. The cable was only about 48 cents or so a foot and the tube was another dollar or so..Removal of the assembly from the car and replacing it is the most difficult part of the process.

The cable is actually one piece with a swage in the middle that fits into the pulley in the head and at both ends. The two rivet heads holding the small guide or cover can be drilled out. Removal of the rivet head will allow the rivet to fall out. The remaining holes will accomodate a couple of 4-40 screws to reassemble. A drift or similar tool will press the shaft out of the housing. put a little grease on the shaft when you put it back together.I cut short pieces of the brass tube, placed then in the proper places on the measured cable and melted solder into them, then crimped with wire crimpers. I think the cable is stainless and I doubt that the solder really makes a good bond. The crimping compresses the solder and brass to make a very solid non slip connection.The measurement must be precise, since there is little adjustment built in. I spent about an hour rebuilding my right hand assembly and perhaps another hour taking it out and reinstalling it. To cut the cable, don't attempt to use diagonal cutters, Use a sharp chisle on a hard surface such as an anvil or large vise pad. A hard hit with a heavy hammer makes a clean cut that isn't frayed. Hope this helps someone.:D

Jon B

Cool! It's a bit late for me to suggest this, but I'll bet your local chapter newsletter editor would appreciate just this sort of "how-to" article for the newsletter, along with maybe two or three photos illustrating your points. (I'm saying this as a former editor, who could have used a few interesting submissions like this!)

SuperDave

Jon B wrote:

Cool! It's a bit late for me to suggest this, but I'll bet your local chapter newsletter editor would appreciate just this sort of "how-to" article for the newsletter, along with maybe two or three photos illustrating your points. (I'm saying this as a former editor, who could have used a few interesting submissions like this!)

Point well taken.. I just forwarded a copy to our OB Chapter pres (with spelling corrections!) so he could forward it to the correct party.

Thanks for the reminder Jon.

[Deleted User]

It would appear that the Motorhood part of Classiccar.com can do this sort of thing. Ted W has listed several general points in buying a classic and it would appear that this is open to all to try if you have logged onto the newest part of the site.

I will return with links to the articles I am writting of.



Todd



http://classiccar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=15&Itemid=24 is the Tech tips section. We might be able to get a Hudson Tech tip section after the Bugs get sorted out of the new site.

Just a thought.