Lubricating wiper linkage

Jon B
Jon B Administrator
edited November -1 in HUDSON
My wiper linkage has gotten very stiff and the wipers are moving slowly (despite a fairly recent wiper motor rebuild and an accessory vacuum pump).



My thought is to get up under the dash and shoot some penetrating oil into each of the moving parts of the arm linkage (this is not a cable type linkage) and the wiper transmission, to loosen things up. Then get some 3-in-one oil into the moving parts (maybe some white grease up into the transmission around the chain).



I might even try to spray some penetrating oil in around the knurled shaft that sticks out of the chrome wiper transmission (where the arm attaches).



Does anyone have some specific recommendations or thoughts? Again, the problem here seems to be stiffness in the linkage, not motor or vacuum problems.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Unless you can find Tylenol Arthritis formula for cars (and if you do, let me know), I'd say that your lube ideas should not hurt anything and just may help. Seems like a good process of elimination approach.
  • hudsonsplasher1
    hudsonsplasher1 Senior Contributor
    Jon;

    I've worked on several 37's, and they all had the same problem. You're on the right track. I took the wiper transmission off the car to work on the bench. The old grease on the chain gets stiff with age, and slows things up. Clean all the old stuff off with thinner and relube with a light grease. I would try forcing some WD40 down the shaft first, to flush any dirt that might bind the movement. Probably won't be good as new, but it sure will help thing along.

    By the way, have you had any progress in the convertible top department? Gene.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I would like to avoid taking the linkages / transmissions out, so will attempt to spray WD-40 up into the transmissions and sop up the resulting gunk that washes out (while wearing safety goggles!). Then I have a spray white grease which I'll shoot up into the transmission....we'll see how that works.



    Gene, no progress on the top, though a couple of us are scoping out having several wooden headers (over the windshield) made by one fabricator for better price / uniform fit. Should fit several years of pre-war Hudson convertible.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    hi, i would like to know how much my vacume gauge should read at the wiper port ?. is this and/or this what my timing vacume should be ? this is at idle in nuetral is 20 p.s.i. right at both ports ? my wipers run very slow then semi fast . i am going to try jons approach, i did not know there was a chain in there. this does apply to a 37 t-plane i hope. thank you all.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Dermott, of course you have to have a good wiper motor to begin with. If you haven't had yours rebuilt, send it to Ficken's on Long Island, NY. Or, you can force some neats foot oil into it and let it soak for a few days; this makes the leather seal on the internal paddle, supple again.



    Even with a good wiper motor, your wipers are going to slow down considerably when going up a hill unless you have either an auxiliary pump, or a dual-action fuel pump. The dual-action pump is the easiest way to go, of course. But, as I have said, even all this is for naught if your linkage is binding up.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Don't forget too that there is a lot of resistance on a dry windshield. They run better in the rain.
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