mk1-forum.net

Would appreciate some advice if any one knows…..

Just refurbing what I think is a 63 DR3A wiper motor, looks like the brushes are copper, not carbon, unless they have taken on the finish from the commutator, is this normal?

Also does not seem to have a self parking copper contact, was this ever normal or is it just missing?

Cheers in advance.

Not all Lucas motors had parking. Mk1 Minis didn’t. Looks like your brush has worn so much the metal case has eaten into the copper and transferred it to the brush. What’s the commutator look like?

Hi !

It is very normal that the carbon bush get some colour. also, in that age no self parking existed on standard mk1s. So, all good. Should have 130 degrees wheel.

No self parking, of course, I had not thought of that, it has the self parking circular cover with wire, but no contact inside…..

Double checked the part number in my Lucas books and it isn’t listed in one book but listed as a Morris 1000 in another, but only for one year. The Lucas data never seem completely consistent…..

All a bit odd, it came fixed onto the car and it worked, how well though I dont know as never gone out in the rain

Suppose if its got the correct angle of sweep it dosent matter, might be able to get the self parking working ?

Still not sure on the brushes, will give them a bit of a scrape….

It does look like a Minor 1000 self-parking motor with some bits removed. Just the sort of thing somebody might have done back in the day to keep an old Mini working.... As you say, as long as you have the correct sweep and those well-worn brushes still work, it should be fine.

The sweep angle is usually stamped on the gear. As said above back in the day Lucas wiper motors salvaged from other BMC cars were often used to fix failing Mini wiper motors or make up one from the bits that worked with the correct sweep angle.....or to 'upgrade' to get a self parking motor from the local breakers yard for your Mk1 Mini or even better get a wiper motor with two speeds!
This video below has some useful tips on how to adjust the sweep angle on a DR3A wiper motor (on a Triumph TR4A) :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcO1NX6wf9I

That one is stamped 100 degrees

Those brushes look so worn that the arms will be rubbing on (and damaging) the commutator. New carbon brushes can be had, around a tenner for a pair. Which seems so expensive that I once tried to make some up from spares I had for a dead Bosch tool... they fitted perfectly but didn't work so ended up stumping-up for the real thing.

I've probably got a spare armature you can have if yours is badly worn.

Thanks for the advice and offers of help chaps, much appreciated

I do have some spares some where, just not sure where…

Andrew, you dont have any of your refurbed ones left do you? Not bothered about the date.

Worn armatures/link arms are simplicity itself to repair. Done dozens of them in the past.

Anyone got a recommended supplier for the bits ?

Nick Rogers is the mini wiper motor maestro

The reference on cover I think it is not a mini one. Anyway, if you find a 130/120 should be fine