Wiper motor rebuild... SOME MORE!

[Artificer]

Some of you helpful people may remember my earlier thread here about finding someone to help me rebuild my wiper motors. Well, my situation has developed somewhat. Yesterday my LH wiper motor MYSTERIOUSLY CAME BACK TO LIFE! I don't know how, and I'm not about to question. More interestingly though, I decided to grow a pair and took it upon myself to take apart the other non-working motor and see if I could figure it out. Well, it wasn't so bad as I thought, and it turned out to just be a seized gear shaft. A little judicious banging and some WD-40 and it appears to be good as new.

Here's where I need help: The gasket between the two halves of the motor body was toast. I tried to save it, but it was just in too many little pieces. Also, the brushes for the motor could use a replacement. Anybody know where I can find the replacements for gasket and two brushes? I have searched the interwebs far and wide, but either my search terms are lacking or it's simply not out there.

I already found the bulkhead seals from Pangolin, so no worries there.

Yes, it's still pink.

[SafeAirOne]

If these gaskets are absolutely not available anywhere, then why not just make your own gasket? Gasket paper is available cheaply at the auto parts store. Just wipe some sort of transfer material (a thin coat of grease will usually do) on one half of the wiper case, then press it onto the gasket paper, leaving the outline of the gasket to be cut. Then just cut it out with an x-acto knife.

As for the brushes, you may try one or your local auto-electric places. They have the ability to source just about everything electrical.

[Jeff Aronson]

The wiper motors are, of course, Lucas items, and therefore the brushes are bound to be shared by other Lucas components. An automotive electric shop will likely have them.

Have you called Rovers North to see if they carry them?

If not, you could try Mike Buonanduci of Bit of Britain (802-439-5815), Gary Booker of GB Spares (203-230-9782), Erick Van Sickle of Leyland British (207-967-2504), or Garrett Borque of GB Services (207-549-5345), or Rover America.

All or any of these places might have the brushes you require - but I'll bet you can find them locally. I once needed brushes for a wiper motor on my Triumph Spitfire. While traveling through Coway, NH, I stopped at an auto electric shop to just ask. $6 later, I walked out with the set of brushes.

Good luck - and intermittent operation is usually a sign of a bad ground.

Jeff

[Sputnicker]

I made the gaskets from a piece of sheet rubber (silicone actually) about 1/16" thick and an exacto knife. I found similar brushes in a local (old fashioned) hardware store that required a bit of filing, but work perfectly. I also recommend using a lightweight silicone grease, which doesn't get as thick in cold weather.

[Mountain132]

I rebuilt my heater motor with $4 brushes found at my corner hardware store, amazed it worked

[KingSlug]

I am glad you tackled it yourself, it opens up a whole new world of rover maintenance.

You can make the wipe case gaskets out of cork, just like the originals easy enough. Or use some RTV around the cases after you put it back together, use just a little and trim after it dries, it comes out pretty neat looking. As for brushes check an ACE hardware or alternator shop for the correct 12v brushes. Brushes were $.40 a piece, you can use 110V brushes as it should really be a difference especially in a rover, but 12V are pretty common. You will need to trim the brushes usually and make sure they arent too tall.

I am a little concerned you used WD40 and banging. The wiper has a fiber gear (red one) inside that you want to keep solvents away from, just wipe it down to clean it up. Also you need some grease on the gears, WD40 isnt grease. Here is a link to help you out.

http://vivalaant.wordpress.com/2007/01/24/series-rover-lucas-wiper-motor-refurbishment/

Jared