The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 55 Task Force electric wiper reassembly (I hope)

Well, I've gotten myself in to another fine mess. Has anyone taken the early wiper motor apart? The one with the rotary mechanical switch. I removed the cover over the brush end of the motor (I'll explain why to anyone who really wants to know.) After looking at this mess for quite a while I'm not really sure how they assembled it originally. Part of the problem may be that the field assembly wants very desperately to remain part of the drive housing. The only way that I can imagine being able to reassemble this thing is to drill out the four small rivets that fix the brush holder assembly into the cover then replace them with machine screws and nuts so that I can tighten them after the cover is on. Is there an easier way? This still doesn't explain how they they put the bugger together originally. Thanks for any advice.

John

yes, you done did it you need a special tool and technique to get the brush end cover apart and back on - if you had a 57 shop manual it's all laid out in there [I don't see it in the online 55 manual] - if my scanner hadn't quit I'd scan it for ya, maybe someone else can do it, section 12 pages 26-28

Bill

Thanks Bill,

I'm sure that some engineer was quite pleased at being able to save a nickel on this motor. Currently (da-da) I'm not as amused as I might be. So far I don't believe that I've damaged anything too severely; but I see plenty of opportunities. If anyone has a way to send the info that Bill mentioned to me let me know what you need from me.

Thanks for the help, John

Here is a link to info on Corvette 12v wipers:
> VCCA link

I don't know how different the '55-2nd 12v electric wiper is from the '54 6v wiper. I have United Motors Service Bulletin #51-D11, "Service Instructions for Electric Windshield Wiper (6 volts) used on 1954 Chevrolet Trucks" Seven pages plus cover and table of contents. Greg Hill sent the .pdf to me. I can send to you - just send me a PM with your email address.

Here are the motor instructions in the '54 bulletin (possible typos by me when copying) ...

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If possible DO NOT have the unit in the park positioin during disassembly.

1. Remove the 2 tie bolts which hold the case assembly to the die cast housing.

2. Strike the case assembly lightly with a suitable mallet to partially loosen the case from the field assembly and housing.

3. Remove the 4 screws which hold the oscillating linkage cover to the die cast housing.

4. Lift the cover and turn it until the curved end rests on top of the motor section of the die cast housing. This will allow the repairman to insert a small screw driver into the armature worm shaft.

5. Insert the screw driver into the armature worm gear (step 4) and pry it in the direction of the case assembly. At the same time, start backing the case assembly off the field. (This method will keep the armature commutator between the brushes and thus prevent any possible brush damage.)

6. After the case assembly and armature are completely free from the housing and field, remove the armature from the case assembly as follows:

(6a.) Retain the brushes in position by inserting the points of a tool such as tweezers that have been spread apart, into the brush pigtails at the point of their entry into the brushes.

(6b.) Remove armature and steel thrust ball.

(6c.) Insert a U shaped brush retainer clip No. 5096576 between the brushes.

7. Remove the felt washer and thrust plate from the case assembly bearing.

8. To free the case assembly from the field unsolder the 2 field leads from the brush holders.

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If that doesn't work, here are some wiper repair people that were recommended to me:
> http://www.socalvintagechevy.com/Wiper%20Motor.htm
> [email protected] (931) 598-9573
> Bill Steinmetz 1611 Pleasantview Dr Lancaster OH 43130 telephone (740) 654-5448
> http://www.dandmrestoration.com/small-motors

The R.P.O. 320 electric wipers on my '54 3100 don't work because of a broken leaf spring and broken solenoid. Looking for parts. I haven't contacted the repair people that I listed.

that VCCA link is very close to what's in the 57 manual I think - particularly see the page 7 view with the odd shaped wire holding the brushes in position, that's required

Bill

Bill and Lonnie, Thanks.

I'm going to give this a try with the info I have. The Corvette site info would have saved the minor brush damage that I caused but I don't think it's that serious. One question - when I pulled the cover off, an E-clip fell out. It's the right diameter for the thrust washer (Fig 12, part 5), but the felt washer was still in place with nothing behind it. Is that likely the thrust washer and should it be behind the felt washer, as shown? I noticed damage to the heads of the long screws holding everything together so it's possible that someone was in there before me.

Thanks again, John

I believe it works! I finally had time to finish it up. Bill and Lonnie - thanks for the info and encouragement.

The only thing that I didn't check was the end play for the armature because the bit on the end wasn't the jam nut type shown and I really felt that I was pushing my luck at that point.

I only had two parts left over. One was an e-clip that was meant for about an eighth-inch shaft which fell out the first time I removed the end cover. There was no lubricant on it so I'm pretty confident that it came out of the end cover. The other was a black fiber washer about one-half inch diameter which fell out after I unsoldered the original power lead. Anyone know if these are critical or where they might have come from?

Couldn't of done it without you guys. John

Congrats. You're ahead of me. I'm still using RainX on my '54 windshield instead of my broken electric wipers.

No Lonnie, you're the one who's ahead. I have a non-running vehicle in a garage with a working wiper motor. You're way ahead.

John