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MG MGA - Wiper Motor Internal Wiring

I have just finished restoring my wiper motor brackets. I put the assembly back in the car and the motor would not work. Took it all out. Played around with the motor, including a full dismantle. Finally got it going ok. I was just cleaning up prior to putting the motor back in the car when I found a blob of old solder on the work surface with the remnants of a wire embedded in it. I took the end off the motor and noticed a shiny end to a soldered end which is attached to the motor cut-out wiper (see photo). The blob of solder matches. Trouble is I cannot see where it should attach at another end, unless of course it is redundant from a previous servicing/repair. Can any one please advise before I put it all back in the car?

Steve


Steve Gyles

Supplementary question. During the original disconnection from the wiper cable, a small washer became detached. It slides very neatly over the wiper wheel crankpin but I cannot be certain of its exact position. Please look at the attached photo and advise me. Thanks.

Steve


Steve Gyles

Yes, you found the correct wire attachment point.
The thin thrust washer goes between the crank wheel and crank arm.
See attached pictures.
Full story here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/et217.htm




Barney Gaylord

Second picture attached.


Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney. I may have confused you with the wiring issue. That terminal post has the winding wire and the wiper cable attached as per both our pictures. What concerned me was a third blob of solder with an imbedded thread of sheared off wire that appeared to have broken off that same terminal. Red herring?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Not a clue here.
Barney Gaylord

Steve, the dished washer should fit on the central spindle of the crank wheel on the other side of the wheel. Not on the crankpin.
It fits with the dished side facing TOWARDS the crankwheel and it acts as a kind of pre-tension / anti-rattle spring on the crankwheel.

There are usually 2 flat washers on the crankpin, one against the crankwheel beneath the connecting rod, then you fit the connecting rod, then the second flat washer above the con rod. Lastly the circlip.

Let me know if you need any more washers, I have some spare ones in my garage.

Colyn

I can send you an exploded diagram of the set up if you need it.
(I have converted my wiper motor to 2 speed recently and so I have gone through the same fun and games with the washers myself!)

Colyn Firth

Colyn

It's a flat washer. It came from the connecting rod. Have not seen a second washer. Only one came out during dismantle. I did not touch the wheel. Left it in place.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Colyn

I still have the wiper on the bench while I am checking support bracket measurements with Barney for his drawings. I have just removed the gear wheel and lo and behold there is no dished washer underneath it, just plenty of end float! I have never taken it apart, so it was either tampered with by a previous owner or it came out the factory like that. Can you help me with one of your spares?

Cheers

Steve
Steve Gyles

Supplementary question to qualified engineers. Colyn says to fit the dished thrust washer with the dish facing the wheel. Why is this? i.e. Is there a convention for fitting these things a certain way round?

Steve
Steve Gyles

A dished thrust washer doesn't care which way it goes, and will supply the same spring result either way. The larger diameter will tend to stick to the mating surface with friction while the smaller diameter will slip against its mating surface due to the smaller contact diameter (less torque from the friction).
Barney Gaylord

Steve, i have posted you a couple of new flat washers, one new dished washer and a new circlip.

The circlip is the standard steel type and not the square-ish copper MGA one, so you may have to re-use the original circlip.
Hope these help.

Colyn
Colyn Firth

Thanks Colyn. I will email you off line for postage etc.

I was wondering how important it is for an item like this to have a thrust washer rather than a spacer washer, bearing in mind the motor has been operating quite happily for its 14 years in my ownership with 1/8" ish of end float and no sign of undue wear, if any. It's an area of engineering that often leaves me bemused and wondering whether many moving parts are over engineered.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 07/11/2012 and 14/11/2012

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