How are wiper arms and wiper shafts made?
The contact point between the wiper arm and wiper shaft is conical (tapered). There are serrations stamped onto the steel wiper shaft that bite into the softer aluminum material of which the arms are made.
How are windshield wipers connected to the motor?
There is a parking circuit built into the motor that seats the wipers when turned off. A wiper switch and related wiring control the on-off operation and wiper speed. Finally, a leverage arm is connected from the motor to a transmission assembly, that in turn connects to a wiper arm.
Why does my Vanagon wiper shaft work so well?
This is due to the tapered fit, which requires very little axial force (torque on the nut) to generate huge radial force (pressure between the shaft and the arm)—the force that keeps the arm from slipping on the shaft. The system works great unless it is overstressed and comes loose—your wiper blades freezing to your windshield, for example.
Where is the wiper arm on a Vanagon?
The added thickness of the 7mm flat washer allows you to shove the wiper arm that much further onto the tapered arm of the shaft before the 6mm washer and nut bottom out on the shoulder of the shaft. Just take off the arm, clean the aluminum out of the serrations, and bolt it back together with a 7mm washer added.
What causes the wiper blades to move out of sequence?
When the blades move out of this sequence, it is typically due to the linkage being worn out or that the windshield wiper arm is loose. Sometimes it’s a minor issue like a loose nut that attaches the wiper arm to the linkage and in other cases it means the linkage is stripped.
Why are windshield wiper blades supposed to work together?
The great thing about windshield wiper blades is that they work together to clear water, dirt, snow, and debris from the windshield. In fact, they move together in a metronome-like pattern on most cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Can a bad wiper blade cause a car to burn out?
This can occur if the blade arm is attached too tight to the wiper blade linkage and is causing the gears in the wiper blade motor to grind. If gone unchecked, it can cause the wiper motor to burn out prematurely. The successful operation of your vehicle’s wiper blades is very important.
Where is the linkage on a windshield wiper?
However, many of them may not know that the windshield wiper blades and arms are moved back and forth by the windshield wiper linkage. The linkage is attached to the wiper motor, which is typically hidden under the hood of the vehicle and protected from the elements.