Questions regarding windshield wiper replacement...

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject:

Joan understands all those big words, Mike. In fact, she helps me with them when I'm reading the comics. <Insert your favorite Forrest Gump quote here>

I'll try the "push me, pull you" technique in the morning, but if that doesn't work I'm going with the explosives. Wink

I'm going out there at first light with a claw hammer, a pry bar, water pump pliers, a stack of silver dollars, a grinder and some C-4.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:43 am Post subject:

I feel your pain Jim. I have yet to get either of mine removed, wanted to replace the o-ring under the washer that seals the shaft area from outside water. Gave up after about an hour and a half (times a couple of different sessions) -- you have much more patience than I, but you know, I believe I feel a burst of energy coming to go and attack it again this weekend perhaps. Been over a year since the last session...keep us posted.

Oh, and I'm not sure mine are attached in the same way, but several more years of corrosion to deal with. Mad

oldgrowth · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 2:22 am Post subject:

Jim - if you have a Dremel with a cutting blade or small grinder, cut the cap just down to the shaft, then use a screwdriver to open it up. As long as you don’t cut too far, the shaft should be OK.
________
Dave

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:00 am Post subject:

I think Jim has said the motor is toast and therefore the shaft is expendable.

Read Mike's procedural description:

drjohn71a · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:05 am Post subject:

While I guess the real problem is releasing the spring tension, IF the problem were corrosion, salt, etc., binding, you could try heating it with a BarBQue lighter and even a cold spray after that. Most rusted things will let go when heated... but, there goes the "O"ring!

I'm just going to sit back and wait for my "elders" to solve this one.

John

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:11 am Post subject:

AHA!!!! I started working on it around 7:00 this morning - before the sun was pounding on the canal. Burned up a perfectly good Dremel!! Angry

Then spent two hours with a hack saw. <no smiley face for: damn, my arm is tired!> Yes, I have the hacksaw Joe illustrated - most racing sailors carry one like that in case of a dismasting and you have to cut shrouds. This was WAY worse than that. That shaft must be made out of some space age material, 'cause it was the toughest thing I've ever cut. Disgust

And then, when the arm was off and I could put it in a vice, the end of the shaft STILL wouldn't come out. There is no additional screw holding it on. Two dissimilar metals, I suppose.

I don't have any good advice for anyone who has to take on this task, other than be sure to put grease on the end of the shaft before you put the wiper arm on.

I am sure we had a crappy wiper motor right off the bat - it made a grinding noise and was sluggish compared to the port side. I should have said something about it at the time, but I really didn't know any better (that 20/20 hindsight). If there is any information on the installation or an expanded view of the wiper arm anywhere on the net, I couldn't find it.

The wipers are necessary on this boat... I spent some time with my arm out the window with a squeegee on our last outing.

C-Dory did supply the wiper motor (and the water pump discussed earlier) as warranty items, I supplied the labor. They got off easy on this deal. Rolling Eyes

Having said that, I am grateful for the factory's support for this owner (who is probably the second furthest from a dealer - the guy in Hawaii has to be the furthest Wink

) and thankful to my C-Brat buddies who provided advice and encouragement.

Some folks like to tinker with their boats... I am not one of those. We stay on top of maintenence items, but I'd rather be running the boat than messing with it (one of the reasons we bought a new boat). On a frustration scale of 1 to 10, this seemingly little task was a 12. I have close to 10 hours in those two simple replacements.

On the bright side, I didn't sacrifice anything else to Neptune; my hands will heal, and another wiper arm is on the way. On the not-so-bright side, I hate boats, I hate windshield wipers, and it is too early to have my one drink per day, so I'm going to go take a shower. Yeah, I'm kidding... who needs a shower, it isn't even Saturday!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

DaveS · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:39 am Post subject:

Jim, so sorry I'm chiming in so late on this discussion as I was off line for 24 hours and after wading through 158 posts on this site, I've finally been able to peruse this thread.
After much deliberation, I'm certain I could have solved your problem way in advance with "RAIN X" ....."screw" the "electrical" conveniences in life... Disgust

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave,

I use Rain-X inside and out on the windows. It certainly lets the wipers do a better job... but it doesn't replace the wipers.

Say, doesn't Sea Shift have ELECTRIC starters on those pretty white Johnsons??? Wink