Wiper Problem Again

[lilbob]

hi all

iv posted a few times on this subject my wipers keep sticking iv striped out the linkage twice and re-greesed the spindles the first time (doing excatly what the post's on this forum surjest) i used normal greese and the second time i used copper greese but it still keeps sticking occasanoly they work when you lift the arms off the glass and then give them a little tap but now there is nothing

so iv striiped them down again and there is still greese visable on the spindles so any ideas what the problem is

the stupid question part now is the linkage from a sharan or alhambra the same as a galaxy linkage and are these as prone to seizing ?

how much is a new or recon linkage? or would i be better off buying one from ebay or a breakers yard and stripping and re-coning it myself?

any help on this matter would be great as its the only thing about the car that really annoys me thanks all

[lilbob]

also would the linkage from an early galaxy fit or are they different? mine is an x reg yr 2000

[big_kev]

The wiper linkage is a VW part and as such is the same on Galaxys , Sharans and Alhambras.

 

However there are at least 2 different types which can be distinguished by the mounting holes ( 3 or 4 ).

 

I can't remember whether there may also be a difference between the Mk1 and Mk2's.

 

If it physically looks the same then it should certainly fit.

 

This part is a very common fail and as such is difficult to get hold of at a reasonable price.

[Mirez]

Next time you take it apart, use a dremal or sander to strip back the spindle before greasing it - its not just a lack of grease that causes the sticking but corrosion forming on the surface of the spindle.

[Scorpiorefugee]

I agree with Mirez. If you do it properly, it will last. Just strip it right down and clean it up properly.

I had to tap outone of the bushes and replace it with a bit of 15mm copper pipe with a slot cut down the side to allow for compression and that lasted 4 years & 100K without deteriorating until the engine died.

[lilbob]

thanks guys iv been on the phone all morning trying to find one but all i can find is the main dealer part and that is a silly price

I'll try stipping it out and sanding the spindle arms as i have'nt tried that yet i also read on this forum about slightly filing the casing out to allow more greese in there

Once again thanks and i'll post the verdect on here once its done any other ideas would be greatly apprecated

[gregers]

look on ebay,theres loads,search galaxy/alhambra and sharan.

[lilbob]

are they the mk1 type or the later ones as iv been told that the early ones are different

[gregers]

have a search and email some of the peeps who are breaking the cars.

[marcostig]

Yes they are a crap design take em apart and grind the spindles down a bit to allow grease to work ,clean and take out all old metal plating and old grease mine been good since i done mine, must admit motor is very poor on these went to italy 37c this year wipers stuggled in the heat cleaning wind screen....rubbers sticking to screen because it was so hot.!!!!

[lilbob]

just stripped and re-greesed the linkage and thought i'd try the wiper motor with out the linkage so i plugged it in tried the wiper switch and have now found out its the motor that is dead after ringing the stealers (frauds & vw)got a few scarey prices but im still trying to find a second hand unit failing that i'll buy a new one from ebay

i'll keep you all posted on developments as they happen (or not in this case )

[Scorpiorefugee]

This may be a last hope suggestion but the motor position on these is such that under certain conditions a lot of heavy rain can cause water ingress into the electronic control part of the motor. It is also possible that it may dry out without long term damage.

 

Yes! I know it's a long shot but it might be worth a try. It happened to me a few months after I got my first Gal and after a few days and a couple of carefuly drilled holes in the tray underneath the motor it was fine for another 4 years. The symptoms were not quite the same but it cetainly stopped and started on it's own and wouldn't go when I switched it on.

[lilbob]

i thought it might have been water in the motor so i took it apart and its the brush's that have had it they are fine most of the way around but there is three on there that now have flat spots /grinds on them so i think thats the problem

thanks again for everybodys help on this

[Scorpiorefugee]

You don't give up easily do you? :D :D :D

 

Commutator problems are not common. have you tries a bit of light rubbing with some fine emery cloth or wet & dry.

 

(Yes! I know that is asking for trouble. :) :) :D )

Edited November 8, 2009 by Scorpiorefugee

[lilbob]

will try that but i really think from the state or the brush's that the motor is past its best

[gregers]

well brushes can be replaced,and there realitivly cheap,compared to a new motor?

[Scorpiorefugee]

well brushes can be replaced,and there realitivly cheap,compared to a new motor?

 

Agreed but from his description I think he was describing the commutator which could well mean the thing is a write off and could well relate to the original fault description of random stopping. Also, I don't think I should be too happy to go to the trouble of putting it all back together and trusting it without being sure about it. I suppose it all comes down to convenience/cost. It will be interesting to know the result.

[lilbob]

Well now im confussed lol

the part that is ground/flattned is the big clump of wires in side the long black magnetic part

(sorry but thats my best disreption but i'll try and post a picture up in a while ) so i think its new motor time

[lilbob]

ordered the new wiper motor today so all going well it should be with me by wednesday and fitted wednesday night (fingers crossed) saved at least

[Scorpiorefugee]

That's got to be better than having to put up with 2 old codgers pontificating. :)

[andrewjameshoward]

I am grateful for the help I have received from this forum and thought I should write up my wiper experience

I have a 1999 Galaxy and the wipers seized. Not much warning so by the time I came

to fix them they were solid. A few jerks and protests as ignition switched on and off, then they

stopped altogether. I took out the linkage with a view to re-greasing as advised on this site.

But they really were solid. I ended up breaking

one of the cast parts trying to force it apart. So now I definitely needed a new one.

Main dealer price is

[lilbob]

well im still waiting for the new motor to arrive but have now stripped and re-greesed the linkage so its as good as new will post updates when they happen

 

on a different note how hard is it to change the aux heater glow plug as im getting smoke coming from that area and have read on herte that could be at fault cheers all

[lilbob]

WOOOOO HOOOOOOOO wiper motor arrived tonight at 4.30 started reassembley been out and tested them and result they work perfect full sweep of the screen aswell so now i'm a happy bunny thanks to all who have posted on this thread the help and advice this forum can offer is invalueble thanks again

[SeanV]

hi all

iv posted a few times on this subject my wipers keep sticking iv striped out the linkage twice and re-greesed the spindles the first time (doing excatly what the post's on this forum surjest) i used normal greese and the second time i used copper greese but it still keeps sticking occasanoly they work when you lift the arms off the glass and then give them a little tap but now there is nothing

so iv striiped them down again and there is still greese visable on the spindles so any ideas what the problem is

the stupid question part now is the linkage from a sharan or alhambra the same as a galaxy linkage and are these as prone to seizing ?

how much is a new or recon linkage? or would i be better off buying one from ebay or a breakers yard and stripping and re-coning it myself?

any help on this matter would be great as its the only thing about the car that really annoys me thanks all

I've had same issue...but i got a bit 'hammer happy' and butchered the spindle thread getting mine free. Does anyone know if i can just a new spindle from somewhere? Maybe from Bosch? Any help appreciated...

 

Sean

[tim-spam]

The best way of freeing up seized wiper spindles without too much brute force or the use of hammers is as follows:

1) Remove the wiper arms by removing the 16mm nuts.

2) Start the engine and switch on the wipers and look to see which side of the linkage carrier is flexing - this will show which side is seized (it may be both sides).

3) Switch wipers off.

4) Remove the circlips and thrust washers from the spindles and apply some WD40.

5) Screw the wiper arm nuts on a few turns.

6) Switch wipers back on - hopefully the spindles will be rotating back and forth.

7) using a 16mm socket and extension bar, push down hard on one of the nuts until the spindle starts to move down. Apply more WD40 as you go.

8) If the motor starts to slow down, grab the nut with a pair of pliers and pull the spindle back up again.

9) Once it starts to move up and down more freely, start to use engine or gearbox oil, as this is a better lubricant - also, apply lubricant to the lower end of the spindle as it appears.

10) When it all appears to be moving freely, you can either reassemble and see how it goes, or take the whole unit out for a complete strip down knowing that it will come apart easily without the use of hammers.

 

Hope this helps.