wiper wheelboxes

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
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turbochargedstu
Basic 850
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 1:16 pm

wiper wheelboxes

Post by turbochargedstu »

put the wipers on in the elf today and the bugger decided to fling the passenger one onto the road. i have looked at it and noticed that the splines on the end are fairly well worn flat. i know they are a pain to find these days at a good price so i was thinking if it could be repaired using a later one? i know the teeth are different, but surely the spline bit is similar in size?

stu
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Lord Croker
998 Cooper
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Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:56 pm

Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by Lord Croker »

Mk1 wiper wheelboxes had 22 teeth on the drive gear & Mk3 from 1970/71 had 32 teeth, I'm sure the splines on which the arms fit are the same. I've never given this a lot of thought, but I imagine the drive cable or rack is of a different pitch depending on which wheelbox it's meant for. Looking at the prices the old ones sell for, I would certainly try a conversion even if it meant changing the rack as well, it only costs about £8. Guru is probably the best guy to point you in the right direction as to what parts you need.
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Simon776
1275 Cooper S
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by Simon776 »

You could always treat your car to a new one.

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http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... H6100.aspx
The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who do not possess it.
turbochargedstu
Basic 850
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by turbochargedstu »

thats true simon. i could. but its hard to justify £40 when its only the end piece thats worn. was wondering if it would be possible to swap just the end piece as i have a good later one.

if its possible, i will give it a go.
mk1
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by mk1 »

Probably not one for the purists but I have glued these on before now. They come off easy enough if they need to.

M
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Lord Croker
998 Cooper
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by Lord Croker »

So have I, just didn't like to admit it! However, now the subject has come up, I used a two part compound called 'JB Weld', putting 3 blobs around the circumference in the arm rather than on the spigot, so it didn't get pushed off when assembling. As Mark rightly says, you can still get them off when you need to.
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by mk1 »

Great minds think alike your Lordship ;-)

M
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by 66S »

I'm sure JB Weld would work very well but I have replaced the splined hub on a wheel box. Easy enough, just pressed the shaft out of the wheel boxes, changed end and pressed the replacement on. A lttle rivetting and Bob's your uncle !! That's unless you don't want to be Bob's nephew !!

Al
turbochargedstu
Basic 850
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Re: wiper wheelboxes

Post by turbochargedstu »

i changed this today. took the splined spindle from a later wheelbox and checked it was compatible. then whipped off the early one from the elf, took the cover plate off, and put the wheelbox into my vice. punched the shaft from the gear which left just the spindle on the end. a quick grind off of the rivet head at the end and then eased the old one off. pressed the replacement on with the vice and rebuilt said wheelbox. i didnt put a rivet or anything onto the end of the spindle as it was fairly tight to push back on and cant see it coming back off in a hurry. i now have 2 happy wipers!

stu
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