Iain T Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 Next on the list for my Vitesse Mk2 is the rubbish water movers aka windscreen wipers! The usual lack of tension etc so does anyone have a fix or replacement that actually works? I also need to take out the dash switch and pump as the washers don't work (could just be blocked jets) and the pardon the phrase the knob waggle about and is difficult to engage! Cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 New arms (or just new springs on the arms) usually sorts out the lack of tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 4 minutes ago, NonMember said: New arms (or just new springs on the arms) usually sorts out the lack of tension. Yes but from the miriad of rubbish out there what make or supplier? Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mjit Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 And watch out for the "Chrome wiper blades" that sould be better described as "Chrome razor blades with rubber attached". If you currently have black blades fitted make sure you keep the bit of plastic that goes on the arm/clips to the blade - that version is missing from 'normal' wiper blade boxes these days...but the bar they clip to is the same size so you can just transfer from one pair to the next and save a few pennies by buying from a mainstream seller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 What length should the originals be? The Net is full of various brands, I go for the old NOS versions when they come up. I have Unipart and Lucas versions and they're usually good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 I have used Halfords refills cut to size on my Vitesse, the blades in the relatively expensive stainless ones I bought where useless hence the Halfords refills. Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 7 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: What length should the originals be? Just measured my blades and they are 280mm (11 inches) long. Searching webby thing now.... There seems a lot of play at the splined fixing but that could just be wear in the assembly. I'll have to do more investigation. As to the switch Haynes shows a pin holding the knob and then unplug the hose/wires and unscrew the assy, is this correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 Yes, there's a pin on the underside of the knob; press this in and pull at the same time; gently as it's only a plastic knob and you don't want to pull the end off. There's a screwable bezel that holds the assembly into the dash; it's easier to remove the wiring and hoses from the rear and spin the switch until it loosens up as the bezel can be hard to get at. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 Club Shop sell windscreen wipers, I got some, expensive, but quality is good. Doug 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 55 minutes ago, Iain T said: Just measured my blades and they are 280mm (11 inches) long. That sounds right for Herald/Vitesse and round-tail Spitfire/GT6. The later Spitfires may have 12" ones as the windscreen's about an inch taller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 Thanks NM, I was wondering if the wipers are correct. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 8, 2021 Report Share Posted October 8, 2021 first job is to upgrade from the 5.6mm wide arms to 7.mm all available with a 15mm spline drive if you get adjustable length arms you can grow the blade to just clear the top of the screen if the wheel box spline has failed you can cut off the cast spline and use a 1/4" drive arm as a fix i have not found any modern aero blades all need a hook arm which does not exist for a 15mm spline drive you can find thicker arms in here https://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/search?query=wipers you obviously need 7mm bayonet blades to match to get the best remove the wiper motor rack and turn it over , likewise stick a card needle on the spline and note its position turn it 1/2 turn and refit so the rack runs on unused side of the wheelbox gear pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 15 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: first job is to upgrade from the 5.6mm wide arms to 7.mm all available with a 15mm spline drive if you get adjustable length arms you can grow the blade Good website, I'll measure and see if a 300mm bayonet fitting blade will fit with adjustable arms. My arms are left cranked and I can get TEX brand blades which are supposed to have a locking system? The club sell them but I don't know if they are adjustable. I don't think a straight arm will park correctly. Sorted out the switch which just needed screwing in to stop wobbling about. The jets are blocked so I'll clean those and refit. It's the washer/wipers that's stopping me getting an MOT everything else is I hope ok. Iain Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 You can bend the wiper arms; put the bent bit in a vice and tighten gently, keeping the arm straight in the jaws until the arm is compressed straight. If need be you can bend it in the 'other' direction to change left to right and so on. I've done this on a few cars to improve the angle of sweep and more importantly the wiper rest position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 agree a good grip and a careful bend will adjust /convert the end blade angle also on wipers any judder is the flip flop is not equal so the arm may need a small twist to get the blade squeegee \/ not ¦\ so its sweep attack angle is equal on up and down sweep if you follow the gist a small adjustable spanner on the arm will work to adjust the set with a tweak/twist pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 Ive got a standard wiper setup on my Vitesse and they were tested to the limit for 3hrs on a return trip from Cheshire last week and see no need to upgrade . I was impressed and somewhat surprised with their effectiveness Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 yes they can be quite adequate , there a few invisible upgrades to help the grade of the blade has a lot to do there are some that have no intention of squeegee the rain Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 9, 2021 Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 8 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: yes they can be quite adequate , there a few invisible upgrades to help the grade of the blade has a lot to do there are some that have no intention of squeegee the rain Pete The blades are Lucas if that helps Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2021 Thanks for the help. My drivers side blade is useless, doesn't clear a large portion in the middle which is exactly where I look through. As usual two steps forward and one back! I brought the two brass jet fittings, hoses and nozzles back from the car park to my apartment but I lost a brass fitting on the way😡! I and the wife have looked in the 100+ yards of path with shrubs either side, the lift and car park. Nuffink, where does all this stuff disappear too? I must have dropped it and although not expensive it's very annoying! Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 On 09/10/2021 at 16:42, Pete Lewis said: yes they can be quite adequate , there a few invisible upgrades to help the grade of the blade has a lot to do there are some that have no intention of squeegee the rain OK I've taken another look and now the suns out😎 I can see I have Tex 5.2mm arms with bayonet fit blades. Measuring the distance between them parked there is enough gap to fit 12". This would give a slightly better sweep, has anyone tried 12"? Taking Pete's advice an upgrade to 7mm wide arms with presumably stiffer springs would better hold the blade against the screen. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 I just bought some oversized silicone rubbers off fleabay and cut them down to size. Worked out a lot cheaper and they work fine. Anybody want to buy a couple of 2" wiper blades? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 59 minutes ago, Badwolf said: I just bought some oversized silicone rubbers off fleabay and cut them down to size. Worked out a lot cheaper and they work fine. Anybody want to buy a couple of 2" wiper blades? I bought rubbers from a site ages ago and can get 2 blades per length, much cheaper than whole units so even I can afford to replace them at the first signs of wear 🤑 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 18 minutes ago, Chris A said: I bought rubbers from a site ages ago One of Doug's sites 😂😂😂😂😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 14 minutes ago, Iain T said: One of Doug's 😂😂😂😂😂 No comment 🤫 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now