[DeTomaso] Windshield wipers

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/24/09 1:54:45 PM, mdmcdougal at gmail.com writes:

> I have my windshield wiper drive apart and soaking in degreaser.  What is 
> the best grease to use on it ?  It was all working, but kinda slow and 
> stiff.  (go for it Larry)  Anything else to look out for with this small 
> project ?
> 
Waterproof chassis grease, but I'd try scraping all the old rock-hard 
grease out first before soaking and re-packing. 
The actual drive is a wire-wound cable like a large speedo cable, and the 
spiral windings are used as a sort of tooth so the cable becomes a flexible 
rack-gear. Over time (30+ years!) the windings wear against the harder wiper 
gears, but by unclamping the cable ends and rotating it 180 degrees, new 
sharp-edged 'teeth' appear and magically the wipers work like new again. 
I've also found that the multi-pin connector near the motor collects water 
and corrosion which affects operation. Use Radio Shack spray Contact Cleaner 
after unplugging the halves and evicting all the spiders..... Good luck- J 
Deryke