Reliant Scimitar wiper query

Scimitarian

Hi all, just looking for advice. Basically I bought a Reliant Scimitar GTE 2 months ago in England. When I picked it up only the passenger side wiper worked, obviously the linkage has issues, my attempts to rectify this ended up in two non working wipers and a severely melted head!!
Would any mechanic I approach have a go at fixing this or are there any specialist mechanics in the Dublin area more adept at this type of repair?
Cheers.

JoeySully

Sounds like the drivers side wheel box has seized and the cable may have shredded its teeth.Your going to have to replace both "wheel boxes" and possibly the wire that goes from the wiper motor to the "wheel boxes"
here's what I mean by wheel box


fitting them is the difficult part! you don't mention what year it is? If its a SE5/a then there is a panel that can be removed to access the wheel boxes but if its a se6 on then you may need to cut holes inside the engine bay bulkhead to remove the wheel boxes and the wiper motor cable as access under the dash is almost impossible. Then reglass the holes and paint.

I think this kind of job left to a garage will just end up costing you a fortune and they will probably break something else or make a pig of it. It differently a easily achievable DIY.
Pop over to http://www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/ and post the same question and I'm sure you will get plenty of advice on how to do it.

http://www.scimitarweb.co.uk/sgwrs/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4946

Graham Walker will have all the correct parts that you need. would cost around €80 for the two wheel boxes and cable I think.

macplaxton

Don't mix the boxes up as one side will probably sweep a larger arc than the other

Scimitarian

Hi Joe, thanks a million for that information, luckily mine is an se5a so there is an access panel that I can use! I will order the parts you mentioned and attempt it myself. What's the worst that can happen?
I agree with you, I Was apprehensive about giving the job to a mechanic as I reckon it'll be his first time doing wipers on a scimitar too! So I have every much a chance of success as him , (in theory)
Thanks again. Alan

Scimitarian

macplaxton wrote: »

Don't mix the boxes up as one side will probably sweep a larger arc than the other

Solid advice! Thanks mate.

101sean

One advantage of British manufacture of the time was dipping in to a communal parts bin, the parts are cheap and fitted to heaps of vehicles. Land Rover use the same wipers in the Defender today as every BL vehicle did for years.

Didn't think the wheel boxes were different ratios, the overall throw is controlled by the big gear on the motor gearbox.

macplaxton

On some cars the sweep angle isn't the same for both sides. General advice and doesn't necessarily apply to all cars.

101sean

Wheelboxes do indeed come in different ratios, 32 and 40 teeth gears, learn something new every day
http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/product/14w-wiper-wheelboxes/
The wiper motor drive gears go from 90- 130 deg
http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/product/14w-wiper-drive-gear/

macplaxton

Here's an example of a LHD DAF 33 which is the same either side. (bad example, but just because it's handy)



Quite often the left hand wiper in the picture (normally the passenger side, assuming correct LHD/RHD sweep) will sweep a slightly greater arc.

That's not forgetting of course the Joe Lucas motor has it's own angle of sweep too.

Anyway, I've never done it myself, but did read about it years ago and it stuck in my head not to assume they are the same both sides only to discover when the dashboard is all back in!