68 Coupe Wiper Clunk

[97fxdwg]

On those few occasions when I'm forced into using my wipers, I hear what sounds like a rythmic "clunk" coming from under the dash (left side - way high up), where I'm afraid the motor is. Does anyone have any words of optimism for me or any reason not to suspect that either the arms are bent or the motor is going out?

How tough is this issue going to be to deal with? How removable and replaceable is the motor? Or can I just bend the arms somehow? My own arms get chewed up just reaching up there.

Suggestions? Other than self-medication?

Thanks

 

[1320stang]

If it works, it's likely not the motor but something with one of the arms. Either something is hitting up against them, or one of the nuts holding the arm on has come loose. I can't totally remember what it looks like up there, but my '65 ought to be similar to your '68. I can stick the digital camera up there and take a pick if you'd like. Best way to work on it is to remove your driver's seat and lay down on the floor to get at it.

 

[97fxdwg]

Best way to work on it is to remove your driver's seat and lay down on the floor to get at it.

Well, its at the paint shop right now and I'm the one doing the tear-down and reconstruct, so I'll get myself on my back and check it out. That idea of a nut coming loose rather than a motor melt-down sure sounds good to me! If it's not a crazy bother, I'd appreciate a photo but I feel a little guilty asking for it. Any back problems? Thanks!! :SNSign:

 

[1320stang]

Actually, I had back surgery at 21 and I'm 39 now. Back pain is a constant for me. Besides removing the seat, if you can get some couch cushions out there on the floor without ticking someone off, it'll help ya.

 

[97fxdwg]

Actually, I had back surgery at 21 and I'm 39 now. Back pain is a constant for me. Besides removing the seat, if you can get some couch cushions out there on the floor without ticking someone off, it'll help ya.

I CAN relate. My surgery was at 39 and I'm 52. Doc says maybe one more and then no more hauling refrigerators down steps or cement bags out back. (I haven't told him about the snowmachineing yet.) But what do they know??

Thanks again. :SNSign:

 

[1320stang]

Well, there's the back pain and the 80lbs. I've put on since. I attribute about 30lbs just due to the aging process, and considering I was about 195-200 before surgery..... I'm not sure I could put my butt in the seat and stick my head on the floor looking up under the dash without passing out.

 

[97fxdwg]

You know what they say, "Getting old sucks but it sure beats the hell out of the alternative!"

 

[1320stang]

Here are the pics I could get. It seems it's easier to get at if you pull the instument bezel. In the first pic, you see the black plate with the gold looking thing mounted to it's borrom, that's the wiper motor, and the silver arms coming off it are the arms to the wipers themselves. You can also see the round disc on the end of the right bar, that's the bottom of the stud that connects to the little arm you see above it, which connects to the windshield wiper post. Although you can't see the other side, it's similar.

<a href="http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/showmedia.php?id=315748&original=1"><img src="http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/315748/fullsize/DSCF2817.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/showmedia.php?id=315749&original=1"><img src="http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/315749/fullsize/DSCF2818.JPG" /></a>

<a href="http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/showmedia.php?id=315750&original=1"><img src="http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/315750/fullsize/DSCF2819.JPG" /></a>

 

[mustangdave]

There might have been rubber bushings in there. You could probably stick some sort of grommet in there to take up the slack. Make sure your wiper arms aren't hitting the sides of the windshield moulding; if so, you need to remove the arms on the outside of the car and rotate them a couple of splines. NPD has a tool for this to keep from damaging the paint but I have never tried it.

 

[97fxdwg]

1320stang - Those are great pix - thanks!! I'll let you know what I find.

And MustangDave - I sure hope I don't have to remove and rotate those things. New paint, Oh NOOOO. Maybe I'll just drive it in the sunshine!!

Thanks guys.

 

[1320stang]

New paint, probably removed when painted and could have been put on a few splines off, if they were fine before, I'd bet MD is right. Turn them on and stand outside the vehicle and see if it's hitting the trim. Also, I had some bad blades that would flip back and forth as they went back and forth and it made a thumping noise.