Wiped Out

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue May 17, 2016 8:31 pm

There is no reason to buy the insert holders. You just replace the inserts i.e. the rubber extrusion and cut to length. The profile is also one of the standards so its easy to buy. Anyone not sure just take one of the old inserts. I bought a pair of inserts for $6 and they are fine. My inserts on all cars are replaced annually before winter and thats as long as they last because of exposure and usage. PS I buy my parts from Bursons.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Tue May 17, 2016 9:05 pm

PRR - I guess I have always thought the wiper blades (the metal holder) lasted the life of the vehicle, but when you see the range of these in the store, it looks like a lot of people replace them.
I guess this makes sense as they do get faded and even a bit rusty.
How do you replace them? They seem to be solidly rivited at the pivot point in the middle.

The blades on the Mazda 6 (GG) are different lengths - Driver side is 53cm(21 in) & the passenger side is 43cm (17 in) so you would have to be sure to get the right replacement blades. ($20 - $40.)
The MX5 is the same length for both (42cm) as well as the same width of the refil.

MM - that would be the way to go - I did notice that there was just the rubber part of the refil for about $5. each. Any downside to doing it this way?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed May 18, 2016 10:09 am

A lot of people replace the whole holder for convenience, as well as the fading you mentioned.

As for removal, they normally have a hook bent into the end of the arm which clips over the pivot.

Do this

and you'll have something like this left on the car end.

Older cars often had a different system, but the one above is what my NB has from memory, and I think most cars.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed May 18, 2016 1:57 pm

There is no downside only an upside to replacing the rubbers. Its totally functional and why throw out perfectly functional items i.e. the carrier- convenience?? Some stores e.g. Autobarn replace wiper rubbers with out charge for goodwill to customers. Its just a yearly job- replace rubbers which have an average functional life of 12 mths. You can use old rubbers but they dont clear the windscreen properly

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Wed May 18, 2016 9:45 pm

Thanks Kansei, MM, and others who commented.
I replaced the blades today. They were both the metal-reinforced type. Not sure why any blade needs to be metal-reinforced.
Next time I will just replace the whole carriers on the MX5 as they look a bit weathered.
Now all I got to do is get that replacement wiper motor in and see if it works.....

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu May 19, 2016 2:47 pm

Rocky wrote:I replaced the blades today. They were both the metal-reinforced type. Not sure why any blade needs to be metal-reinforced..

The metal reinforcement helps keep the blades mounted to the car.

The plastic ones can sometimes either break the back part, which means you get a section of rubber with no support and therefore a section that wont wipe.

Some plastic ones can also allow the tiny clips on the wiper arm to snap the plastic, letting the wiper blade fall free. if it happens to either end of the blade it can let the wiper arm drag across the screen and mark it.

I've had one or the other happen to many sets of the bare plastic ones, so these days I make sure to use the metal backed ones.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Thu May 19, 2016 6:28 pm

Thanks - makes sense. The little metal reinforcers were a bit of a challenge for the first set fitted (kept moving around in the rubber groove) but once you get the drift its easy for any subsequent attempts.

MX5 goes in to the Auto Electrician Friday am - he didn't sound thrilled when I explained that my mechanic appeared to have stuffed things up - I guess nobody likes to have to follow on from someone else's botched job. I think he had a mental picture of a beat-up and worn-out old 2001 MX5 that probably had electrical faults. Hopefully he will feel better when he sees it.

Keep 'em crossed for me!

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu May 19, 2016 6:44 pm

I have used both and feel quite confident about a plastic extruded section which incidentally is easier to fit and to cut to length as well.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Fri May 20, 2016 7:29 pm

Well, I think that was a win.
Auto Electrician was 'old school' where you do the job properly and explain what you've done to the customer and charge a sensible amount for the job.
He seems to have traced the original fault down to a sticking 'low speed' contact on the armature which prevented the armature from spinning and therefore fried itself.
(that's my interpretation of what he said)
Whether my mechanic has damaged it in this way when refitting it is unknown. Still doesn't explain why the wipers wouldn't work in the first instance.
The second-hand motor from Automotive Plus has been fitted and works just fine. $50. Vs several hundred $ for a new one.
All electrical systems checked, tested and operating correctly.
Bill was only 2/3 of the first Auto Electrician and the service and outcome in a different dimension.
He quoted me $150. to service & gas my A/C including replacement of the dryer. Needless to say he got the job.
This guy has done good work for me before and I should have just dríven the car straight to him instead of my mechanic.
Lesson learned.

Rocky · Postby **Rocky** » Sat May 21, 2016 4:16 pm

As a Postscript to this little saga, I opened up the 'fried' wiper motor for a look.
You can see that one of the 'brushes' is damaged - the broken bits are on the towel.
On the 'post' that it connects to, the copper connectors are discoloured, as are the windings on about half of the armature.
I'm not sure how this explains the failure, in the first instance, of the motor to move the wipers, or the subsequent burning-out of the motor, but at least it is possible to see that some damage has occurred.