[Shop-talk] weird windshield wiper problem

[Pat Horne]

John, seems like you’re caught between a rock and a hard place. 

Rather than running a drill in there I’d try something to swage the tubing, like a ball on the end of a flex shafting a sheath. I’d try to push the swage in, rather than rotate it. Something like an air chisel. Try going in with a 1/4” ball first, then move up to a larger one. If you can remove the motor you’ll have more room to work. 

If you decide to go with a drill, grind it so that the tip is larger than the shaft so you are only working with a small area. And run the drill backwards so you are reshaping rather than cutting. 

One other thought. First verify that there isn’t damage farther up the tube by pushing the cable in from the other end to see where it hangs. Cut the tube off above the tight spot, repair the tube, then splice it back in. 

Afterwards, be sure to apply copious amounts of beer or drink of your choice. 

Peace,
Pat

Pat Horne 
We support Habitat for Humanity


On Feb 2, 2021, at 5:22 PM, john niolon <jniolon at att.net> wrote:


I installed Speciality Wipers in my  53 F-100 truck and of course it goes in up close to the windshield first and then everything is layered over it. It uses a cable/transmission arrangement the the motor (in the kick panel pushes and pulls the cable through a soft aluminum tube that actuates the wiper transmissions.
The motor end of the tube is flared and mounts in a slot in the motor housing.
<Img_1445a.jpg>
 
well something got hung or fouled and causes a problem.. the cable fouled (or something) and when the motor pushed against the cable it had enough umph to push the cable and tubing out of the motor housing tearing the flare off and mangling the end of the tube. Seems a simple fix except to repair properly I'd have to remove the center console, remove the a/c cover place, remove the a/c-heater unit to get to the piece of tubing between the motor and the right hand transmission. That ain't gonna happen.
 
I have been able to cut the bad end of the tube and re-flare (that was fun ...not) but when trying to put cable back in the tubing I found it was damaged enough that the cable won't pass easily... or actually at all... I need a way to get the tubing reshaped so the cable will slide easily thru it. I can only move the tube about 1" away from the motor...no way to remove the tube without removing all of the above stated.
 
I tried passing a 1/4" diameter rod thru and it works but when I try the actual size thru the tube (5/16") it binds up in the first two or three inches of the tube. I tried to tap a 5/16" rod thru the tube to stretch it back in shape but I have no way to hold the tube steady (one hand) hold the rod at the mouth of the tube (second hand) and tap the rod with a hammer (third hand) to reshape the tube. (and no room for a helper.) All while laying on my side between the seat and the door jamb. and working sideways toward the kick panel area. I'm looking for enlightenment and innovative solutions. Keep in mind that the interior is finished so heat is probably out of the question.  One idea I'm considering is a 5/16" drill bit up thru the tube to clear the obstruction … if I can get the drill and drill motor in position to do that

this is where I'm working... and that little space is tough on an old  fat man with a bad hip and shoulders.   You guys are always coming up with genius solutions to hard problems...  dazzle me !!
 
<Img_1441.jpg>
  
<Img_0269b.jpg>
 
john
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