ÿþSubject: A1 windshield wipers  - make them faster  - for free ( 1 hour  work, maybe )

From: enorvell@bellsouth.net

Date: 5/7/99 11:08 AM Central Daylight Time

Message-id: <373326e2.3196689@news.rdu.bellsouth.net>



My GTi's wipers were sluggish, and the usual electrical suspects all

had "alibis". 



Turns out most of  the "ball and socket" joints in the linkage were

developing excessive friction ( which was due ENTIRELY to a bad fit,

and had nothing to do with lack of lubrication ) which caused the

wipers to work slower they should.

============== 



FIX : 



open the hood



remove the black plastic rain tray, to gain access to the linkage. 						   



Remove the wiper  linkage from the car ;  rotate each "ball/socket"

joint  in the linkage by hand, so excessive friction can be felt.  



If a joint has excessive friction ( they should all feel like there is

NO resistance whatsoever ) , pop the "ball" out of the "socket" and

use 180 grit sandpaper CAREFULLY to grind  down the steel  ball. 

NOTE : to do this,  squeeze the sandpaper over the ball with your

fingers ( don't use pliers or a vise - it will create a flat spot ),

and rotate the ball while holding the sandpaper stationary. A little

"grinding" goes along way, so re-assemble the joint to check the fit

after grinding for a minute or so. When the fit is good, lube the ball

with spray lithium grease, and reassemble. repeat on other joints if

needed. 



Under NO circumstances should you grind the plastic "socket" portion

of the joint - only the ball should be reduced in size, and this only

by very small increments. If you mess with the "socket", the ball will

no longer stay snapped into it. Ask me how I know...;-)



After "re-sizing" all the joints,  my eyeball estimate is that the

wipers are some 25% faster. This is a *good thing* if you drive fast

in the rain ( some of us do...). 



Last but not least, the "timing" of the wipers is critical for proper

operation. Here's how : 



First, "time" the wiper motor by turning the wiper switch on and off, 

which causes the motor to rest in the "park" position. 



Second, tighten the nut on the short flat bit of linkage which

connects to the wiper motor shaft, making sure to hold the linkage

pointing to the "4'o'clock" position relative to the motor. 



Third, place both wiper blades in "park" position, and tighten the

nuts which hold them in place. 



Fourth, try the wipers. A bit of "fine tuning" may be needed to get

the rest position of the blades perfect.  



Enjoy faster wipers, and possibly longer wiper  motor life too.