Single Wiper Conversion:
Written and submitted by:
Meester_fly_96@yahoo.com
Visit "Meester Fly's Super Touring Anthology" @
~
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/1261/
~
Before attempting this modification consider the following:
-
Any modification made to a stock car may and could be considered illegal for
street use.
-
This "look" came from Super Touring cars that have driver seats in the middle
or right hand side.
This side of the windshield is cleared most efficiently.
When this modification is in use, it PARTICIALY clears the windshield. One
should consider and decide on the length of the wiper, by how much of the
windshield the driver of the vehicle needs clear to see the road and drive
safely.
The longer the blade the sharper the angle of it's pass.
Thus, less glass cleared.
-
Before any modification, consider all possible dangers, research the subject
and parts that interact with it, and be sure you have the TIME and TOOLS to
keep you from being without transportation.
Things you'll need:
-
A 15mm socket and socket wrench or "box end" wrench (box end is the end of the
wrench that is a closed circle). I have found metric wrenches fit tighter than
SAE. Seems Ironic (American car???).
-
A hack saw. No, no chainsaws.
J
And a table vice, for stability.
-
A fine grit file. Needs to be able to smooth metal.
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A new windshield wiper. I recommend not exceeding 28".
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Rust repellent. (optional)
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Towels or thick blankets. (optional) Use these to cover the paint and/or glass
to protect it from damage.
-
Time. Between 25 minutes to an hour.
Step One:
Keep your keys out of the ignition, that way no matter WHAT happens, you will
not be attacked by your car unless it comes to life.
Pop your hood to gain access to the driver's side windshield wiper arm nut.
Remove the nut being careful not to STRIP it. Carefully wiggle the windshield
wiper arm away from the car and back, until it is loose enough to slide off of
the screw. Tighten the original nut back on. You may want to spray some rust
repellent on the nut while you're at it. Close the hood.
Step Two:
Using slight pressure, pull the windshield wiper arm cover (PASSENGER'S SIDE)
away from the car toward the top PASSENGER'S SIDE of the car. It may take more
pressure but be careful not to crack it or damage your car by using a
screwdriver. Remove the nut. Remove the arm.
Step Three:
I forgot which arm it is; I think its the O.G. Driver's side arm. One of them
is straight and the other is angled. Use the angled arm to put the new wiper
on. This matters! ! ! If you look at the end of the arm that connects to the
car, you will see a LIP on one side running parallel to how the screw goes.
There is a SLOT in the housing (part that arm connect to) that this LIP fits
into. In order to adjust the angle of the "wipe" you must remove this lip to
insure a FIRM installation.
Using a hacksaw, (I also recommend using a table vice to secure the arm and to
be safer) cut toward the center of the piece (hole) and away from yourself,
till you reach the level of the surrounding sides. You only want to cut off the
lip. Next, cut from the outside end of the lip (the side that faces the car)
toward your original cut and again, away from yourself. Use a file or some mean
ass sand paper to smooth the area so it's uniform with the surrounding sides.
Step Three:
Follow the instructions on the package of the wiper to install it on the arm.
Install the angled arm on the PASSENGER'S SIDE. Tighten the O.G. nut but leave
enough looseness to position the wiper arm's angle.
Now comes the HARD part. Slide the wiper arm either clock-wise or
counter-clock-wise so it's top end rests at the PASSENGER'S SIDE edge of the
GLASS, not on the sealant (rubber). Tighten the nut, medium-tight.
*** Be careful here! You CAN tighten the arm TOO much and it will not wipe! * *
*
Next, either have a friend, it'll be faster, or by yourself, if you have no
friends (J/K), turn the ignition to ON (no need to start the car yet, you
race-aholics). Pull the accessory stick that is used to turn on the wiper(s)
toward you, hold for a second and release. This will cause the wiper to
function and spray the windshield with fluid (or water). You do not want to run
the blade over DRY glass. It will wear out faster. Watch and see how far the
wiper passed (there should be a line of water made by the wiper). Try and make
it wipe to the edge of the glass on the DRIVER'S SIDE (not on the rubber).
Depending on the tightness of the nut, the arm will stop and return in
different spots, this is annoying. Reposition the arm and tighten the arm a tad
more. Repeat the wiper function, reposition, and tighten the nut more as
needed. Continue to do this until the arm and wiper CONSISTATLY wipe from one
side of the windshield to the other, WITHOUT over hanging or over passing. The
wiper SHOULD stay
within
the glass area.
*** If the blade wipes past the edge on either side, there is a chance that
when either front door is opened, it will make contact with the wiper. VERY
BAD! ***
Be sure and test this THROUGHLY to be POSSITIVE the wiper is tight and will not
wipe IRRATICLY. You may want to spray some rust repellent on the nut while
you're at it. Put the nut cover back on, tight.
Step Four:
Wash, Wax & Pimp your ride ouuuut !
I hope this helped. If you notice an error in this FAQ or have a more efficient
procedure, please email me:
Meester_fly_96@yahoo.com
Visit "Meester Fly's Super Touring Anthology" @
~
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/1261/
~
Written November 1999
~M.F. 96~
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