Fulvia Coupe / Sport Windscreen Wiper maintenance

[lancialulu]

While preparing my Fulvia coupe (second series) for its annual MOT I noticed the windscreen wipers were not working. They worked last year. Checked fuses nothing blown. Undid the wiper arm from the spindle and removed the felt seal. Both spindles were seized (you should be able to push the spindles down in their bushes). Nothing for it but to remove the mechanism and overhaul. Those who have done this will know it is a pig of a job (either S1 or S2 Coupes or Sports).

One of the spindles was really seized and (induction) heat was needed to get it free. Not surprising after 50+ years of relying on the tiny amount of grease put in at the factory.

The unit drew sufficient current while in its semi seized state to actually melt the nylon bit of the switch resulting in that also not working. The heat was so much it de-tempered a tiny spring in the switch....

With all this in mind I thought I would look at my Sport which I am readying for a Rally in May. Taking the wiper arms off revealed one of the spindles (nearest the motor) was on the verge of seizing (I could not push it down its bushing without force). Luckily I could free it off and dribbled in thick oil on both spindles followed by a bit of grease. After this I now had a two speed wiper......

Don't overlook as it seems 50 years is the maximum interval for servicing!

[davidwheeler]

Thanks for the reimider, I'll check my Sport when I finish the respray and put it all back together.