Pat Anderson
New member
Clearly, Jim, what you need is some Alaskan women or children...
JamesTXSD":18crsgm3 said:
Questions regarding windshield wiper replacement...
- Thread starter JamesTXSD
- Start date
Jim-
Sorry to hear of your problems with the @*%$+!!! swindow-swiper system!!!
Too bad there's not enough room to use a slide-hammer puller on the culprit!
Best suggestion so far has been to just cut the shaft off with a cut-off wheel and replace the montor and arm, since they're both toast, anyway!
If you don't have an electric or pheumatic cut off wheel on a die grinder or Dremel tool, they make a hacksaw frame that has the distance between the blade and the bascking arm shallow to fit into tight places.
They are listed here, but the equivalent also availeable in many hardware stores.
Stanley's version: (below, of course)
For now, why not enjoy a sundowner and take up the battle tomorrow?
Keep us informed!
Joe.
Sorry to hear of your problems with the @*%$+!!! swindow-swiper system!!!
Too bad there's not enough room to use a slide-hammer puller on the culprit!
Best suggestion so far has been to just cut the shaft off with a cut-off wheel and replace the montor and arm, since they're both toast, anyway!
If you don't have an electric or pheumatic cut off wheel on a die grinder or Dremel tool, they make a hacksaw frame that has the distance between the blade and the bascking arm shallow to fit into tight places.
They are listed here, but the equivalent also availeable in many hardware stores.
Stanley's version: (below, of course)
For now, why not enjoy a sundowner and take up the battle tomorrow?
Keep us informed!
Joe.
Sea Wolf":21kpevpa said:
Great advice, Joe. Joan was ready with an adult beverage when I came back in. I'll try again tomorrow... early, before the sun is on that side of the house.
Pat, I can guarantee that if the tough Blonde German woman can't yank that wiper arm right off, it ain't coming! Thus, my previous post about me generally being humiliated. She's one tough babe.
Ron, those threads have enough of a gap that I can get the nut above them. That is also on my list of "try this" in the morning - with me on the outside and the Blonde inside the boat.
tsturm, before cutting I think I'll go with the explosives. :wink: I like my Dremel, but I have visions of "Opps! Fiberglass repair!" :roll:
Frustrating isn't it, when something pretty straightforward like this turns out to take so much time? I'm guessing it will look better in the cooler morning light - thanks again y'all for your help on this!
Best wishes,
Jim
JamesTXSD":2hhzuy0c said:
Yes it is but it's time like those when you can sometimes understand why "simple, little jobs" cost so damn much when done by a professional. Think of how much you would have to charge for this job if you were paying yourself at a reasonable hourly rate! And Joan's half hour of labor must be worth twice as much as the same amount of time from you (after all she is, by your own admission, stronger)! :wink:
Jeff Brigner
New member
Marc at Wefings. I hope your reading this thread and taking notes. I will for sure bring my boat to you when this snake brakes :lol:
Taking both set screws all the way out makes sure the point of one is not in a groove or depession on the shaft (actually best to throw one of them in the drink). Tape a block of wood or a stack of silver dollars located so that it will serve as a fulcrum for your big screwdriver precisely 180º ± 1º from the business side of the wiper arm. While gently prying the bugger out with the screwdriver take your unwounded hand and pivot the wiper away from the window while - you ready for this?? - shoving the wiper side of the bugger ON. When the thing pops off you will probably fall in the water, but you'll be so damn happy you won't care. If it doesn't come off, well, what do I know anyway?
TyBoo":9mj16mad said:
Swell... I followed all those instructions right up to the stack of silver dollars. I'm retired, remember? Can I use a stack of nickels? :wink: I'm really not looking forward to the "falling in" part.
Haven't heard from you in a while, Mike. I was beginning to think you took your royality checks from this place and ran off to the tropics. 8)
I have something to discuss with you... this whole "be nice" thing. Joan has been reading the site lately (can't imagine she'd ever post, but she does frequently surprise me) and tonight she said, "If you can 'be nice' on the C-Brats, you should just 'be nice' at home." This discussion came up while we were talking about "compromise"... and I said something along the lines of "Why is it when a couple talks about compromise, it means the guy should do everything the way the woman wants?" After mending the bite marks in my butt, I told her that Mike lets me be a smart-ass here. She will be calling you to check on this. Can you and the others here vouch for me?
Best wishes,
Jim
Pat Anderson
New member
Yes, puts me in a philosophical mood - "If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong?"
That's the real reason I chickened out on meeting you two at B'ham. I always get blamed.JamesTXSD":188pyvqm said:
Actually, if your hands weren't so cut up from the previous attempts you probably have the thing sufficiently loose to not even need the screwdriver. The key is to push the wiper side on while pulling off the other side. Just pulling the wiper back away from the window doesn't relieve the tension between the hub and the shaft. It's counterintuitive (try that word on Joan). It is one of those things that you work at for a long time, give up three times, and the fourth time it just comes off and you have no idea what you did.
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.
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.
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. :x
Oh, and I'm not sure mine are attached in the same way, but several more years of corrosion to deal with. :x
I think Jim has said the motor is toast and therefore the shaft is expendable.
Read Mike's procedural description:
And then look at this:
Now imagine the tool placed over the top of the wiper arm cap with the "hook" reaching down on the side opposite the arm extension.
Pushing down on the tool would lift one side and press down on the other, just like Mike's directions.
If I remember right (hard at 65), there's a little clip under one side of the piece that fits over the knurled knob on the shaft that holds the arm on. The clip is opposite the arm extension. The little "hook" on the tool pulls the clip back to clear the underside of the knurled knob and frees the arm's body to slide off.
Alternately, if the clip explanation is in error, it may just be that the tool and Mike's procedures provide a straight up lift that is impossible to get by simply prying on one side or the other of the wiper arm base.
Of course, whether it will simply slide off may well depend on how much it's corroded. The shaft may well have to be cut off, anyway!
Don't forget that there are actually several different types of wiper arm attachment mechanisms, and the clip system is just one. Others have exposed nuts on the end of the shaft, or a big tightening machine screw that squeezes down on a collar around the knurled nut or shaft, etc.
This AFI Marine wiper arm has an additional set screw under the arm's base cover to provide additional security.
Here's one you can't just pry off!
Here are some of the special tools available for windshield wiper arm removal.
J.C. Whitney also has some of these (or knock-offs of them) available for cheap.
Under Jim's situation and current mind set, a nasty cut-off tool might be expedicious. Might be good practice for Joan in case she ever has to saw some wise-ass guy out of a Latin American jail in the future (!)
Joe.
Read Mike's procedural description:
And then look at this:
Now imagine the tool placed over the top of the wiper arm cap with the "hook" reaching down on the side opposite the arm extension.
Pushing down on the tool would lift one side and press down on the other, just like Mike's directions.
If I remember right (hard at 65), there's a little clip under one side of the piece that fits over the knurled knob on the shaft that holds the arm on. The clip is opposite the arm extension. The little "hook" on the tool pulls the clip back to clear the underside of the knurled knob and frees the arm's body to slide off.
Alternately, if the clip explanation is in error, it may just be that the tool and Mike's procedures provide a straight up lift that is impossible to get by simply prying on one side or the other of the wiper arm base.
Of course, whether it will simply slide off may well depend on how much it's corroded. The shaft may well have to be cut off, anyway!
Don't forget that there are actually several different types of wiper arm attachment mechanisms, and the clip system is just one. Others have exposed nuts on the end of the shaft, or a big tightening machine screw that squeezes down on a collar around the knurled nut or shaft, etc.
This AFI Marine wiper arm has an additional set screw under the arm's base cover to provide additional security.
Here's one you can't just pry off!
Here are some of the special tools available for windshield wiper arm removal.
J.C. Whitney also has some of these (or knock-offs of them) available for cheap.
Under Jim's situation and current mind set, a nasty cut-off tool might be expedicious. Might be good practice for Joan in case she ever has to saw some wise-ass guy out of a Latin American jail in the future (!)
Joe.
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
I'm just going to sit back and wait for my "elders" to solve this one.
John
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!! :amgry 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. :roll: 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.
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. :roll: 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.
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
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":2ud43n2m said:
Yep, I do allow electricity to flow into my life, sometimes defibrillation is a great thing! Keeps the heart of the boat beating. :smilep
P.S. I do have electric wipers as well, I just hope I don't have to go through all the pain and discomfort that you've had to deal with during this project. Hope you have more time for "umbrella drinks", while we continue to suffer with all of the rain that we are currently experiencing!