Rebuilt Air Wiper Motor - Now it doesn't work

luvrbus · July 25, 2015, 01:35:56 PM

I don't know what brand you have but it sound like the gear and rack are out of sync

eagle19952 · July 25, 2015, 01:49:49 PM

I always remember being able to use the handle to make one swipe....easily when the air was shut off...

Lin · July 25, 2015, 02:05:06 PM

It's been over 8 years since I rebuilt (changed the O-rings) on my wipers, so I do not remember much about it. Since you are having the issue with both motors, it would seem that you have made the same mistake in assembling both. I remember that the units do not work if they do not exhaust. That could be one thing to look at. Also, I do not know if direct air should be applied to the run and park ports at the same time. Have you tried running it through the switch? I believe mine are Sprague. Haldex seems to be another manufacturer. Maybe the schematic is available with them.

It would definitely seem that you should be able to move the shaft manually if there is no air pressure being applied. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Mine kept me frustrated for a bit too.

Tikvah · July 25, 2015, 02:26:58 PM

Well, it's time for my to hang my head low in shame and embarrassment. I would just prefer to delete this post and pretend it didn't happen. But it seems proper to leave this post - and realize that I may not be the only foolish person on this board.

I simply had the linkage reversed, so it was pinned against it's own frame. I had actually marked the position with a pen, so I don't know why it didn't work, but it seems I probably marked the position in one full swing, but the actual parked position was total opposite.

One more question, It was mentioned before about the adjustment screw for the exhaust. What is that for and how I know how much to adjust?

Thanks for putting up with my foolishness
Dave

luvrbus · July 25, 2015, 03:07:34 PM

You adjust the flop and torque with the exhaust screw Dave to suit you,it make take you several tries to get it where you want it they can be adjusted to work smooth

Tikvah · July 25, 2015, 03:10:11 PM

Ok, another problem... Installed the driver side first and I get only half sweep...

luvrbus · July 25, 2015, 03:24:34 PM

Be sure to have the motors in the park position before installing the arms and that should fix that problem

Tikvah · July 25, 2015, 03:30:49 PM

Right now I'm testing by holding the wipers away from the glass. The passenger side seems fine.
The driver side goes to park easily, but only swings half swing, I hear a clunk, then it returns to park.

Maybe I need to open it back up and find what it's clunking against.

I HATE mechanical work!

luvrbus · July 25, 2015, 03:36:00 PM

Again I don't know what brand you have but most have a supply inlet and a park air inlet check and be sure the lines are not crossed

Tikvah · July 25, 2015, 05:05:52 PM

Below is a video of the problem...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WidtOIwaPag

Scott & Heather · September 01, 2015, 04:06:18 PM

Ok. In Dave's defense, (Tikvah), I very carefully and slowly (this project took most of my day today) took photos of the assembly, and disassembled it. Replaced plungers/o-rings, and air manifold. Put it all back together...and it was jammed up. Same problem he had. The problem is that you can't easily mark the gear/track locations to each other so when you put it back together it's easy to guess and mis-align them. That being said, I'm going to call Dave here in a little bit because I think he posted that he has the gear in the dead center of the track. This isn't correct, I had to pull everything apart all over again and using the photos I took earlier, positioned the lever arms in the "parked" position, and then moved the track to place the gear at one complete side of the housing. This proved to be the issue and I have a wiper that once was completely dead, and now lives! And really operates smoothly...wow...no jerky movements, just smooth and I like that I can slow it down or speed it up with the knob. I'm a believer in air wipers again. Mine are dated 1982, so they are the same age as me...33 years out of a wiper motor ain't too bad in my opinion. Here's some pics of my mess and a video of success!

VIDEO OF SUCCESS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2hftXtkUak

luvrbus · September 01, 2015, 04:17:16 PM

They have timing marks get off 1 tooth and they can be a night mare

Scott & Heather · September 01, 2015, 06:16:58 PM

I believe it. This whole rebuild was kind of a pain. I hope this one lasts 33 years too cause I'm not doing this again :-/ thankfully our new bus has brand spankin new air/electric wipers with touchpad control. No drama there. Anyway, glad it's over

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TomC · September 01, 2015, 09:03:51 PM

My solution to bad air wiper motors was to convert to electric. I have individual electric motors with electronic motor control that keeps the two sides working in unison. With the adjustable delay, low and high speed, I am extremely pleased with the performance. I will be converting my KW to electric also. Good Luck, TomC

Tikvah · September 13, 2015, 01:35:49 PM

PROBLEM FIXED!

The hex-shaft inside the drive gear was off. When rebuilding and washing all the parts I never dreamed the 1/6 turn of that shaft could be an issue. Looking at it now it's obvious.

This is why I'll never rebuild a DD....or any other engine. Too many SIMPLE potential problems that can't be known without experience.