Wiper Arm Mod

[v8s4me]

Some time ago I adapted a pair of Golf wiper arms to take the TVR blades. This used universal adapters and was a bit of a bodge but it worked well until I snapped one off in Belgium recently. The Phillpot Developments Mk2 version has used the same arms but replaced the VW parts which hold the blades with the TVR items. Mike secured the TVR blade holder to the VW part which attaches to the boss with solder. This time I wanted to keep the complete VW arms so I could use the VW blades and standard fittings. Following Phillpot’s example, I removed the blade carrying part from the boss part but then shortened it to suit the TVR windscreen. Then I re-attached blade carrying part to the boss part by crimping in a vice and using ordinary plumber’s solder. I did have some difficulty separating the two parts but a quick call to Phillpot Developments provided the answer ie “use a bigger hammer”. Sorted! So here is the Mk3 version.

[url]





Hopefully these will be more robust than the Mk1’s. I also shortened the spring stretch a tad to ease the pressure on the windscreen and make it easier for the geriatric wiper motor to drag the blades across the screen.

I originally did this mod because the TVR units were rubbing the back edge of the bonnet so this tweak will solve the problem for any other models with the same issue where TVR couldn’t be bothered to source low profile blades or mould the back edge of the bonnet to clear the arms.

[v8s4me]

kevroe said:

....Did you consider shortening from the wiper blade end and bending the arm to make a hook for the blade? ........

Yes, on the Mk1 version, but I didn't have the tools to get that tight bend. If you go this route you'll need to make sure your new bend is a good secure fit on the wiper blade. Also, you'll lose the kink in the original arm which allows the arm to sit a bit lower with the blade at the bottom of the screen.

kevroe said:

......Once you'd got the two bits apart did you just hack a bit off and redrill a hole for the spring? Kev

Yes, but I did measure it carefully first you need to get the length just right so you keep the spring tension and not have the blade off the top of the screen. Have fun

Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 4th June 22:38

[v8s4me]

phillpot said:

..The VW arms are a lot chunkier than the S ones,...

ie much better quality

[v8s4me]

greymrj said:

... Is the VW one still seen as the best choice ....

IMHO, yes.

greymrj said:

..... can both on the S be replaced with VW?

Yes. You can fit the VW pair as they come or use two of the arms with the shorter "cranked" fitting (can't think of the correct name), which makes a neater job. Obviously this means you will have to buy two pairs but as they often come with the blades so it's not a bad investment. Plus you get an extra pair of arms in case you cock up your first attempt.

This what I did as per "Phillpot Developments Inc" Mk2 model. But Mike fitted the TVR arms to the VW "cranks". For my Mk3 version I shortened and reattached the VW arms, which meant I could use the VW wiper blades with the standard push-over Euro fitting.

The choice is yours, or come up with a Mk4

[v8s4me]

Golf Mk3 is what I got, but others may fit.

Here's a link to the original (Mk1) mod. This used the two different "cranks" as per the original VW fitting. You can see the differently shaped "cranks" in the first photo. On this version I cut the the arms to the length I needed and attached the plastic connector for the original TVR wiper blade to the ends. This was never a great success and the plastic connector snapped off a couple of months ago. The latest version is as strong as the original VW part and I'll take some photos tomorrow.

[v8s4me]

Mk 3 version...

[v8s4me]

phillpot said:

....
I wonder how different this is to wiper arms on an S (cable drive system)?

It looks very like my original fitment ones. £24 each! You can probably get two pairs of VW ones with blades for that.

[v8s4me]

Ebay.There are a couple of pairs on there at the moment.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-WIPER-ARM-X-PAIR-A...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-WIPER-ARM-X-PAIR-A...

and there are some being sold individually if you want to make up a pair of the short ones. Eg.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-MK3-2-0-8-valve-...

[v8s4me]

phillpot said:

..Yeah, but not everyone is as tight as us old gits Joe nor want to spend half a day modifying, re-painting etc... !

Very true, but where's the fun in that? And what else can you do when it's raining?

As we know, if you are prepared to put in the effort you end up with a much better quality part which should perform better than the original. In my case, not only are they now the perfect size for the windscreen, the "crank" parts (still don't know the correct term) don't rub the underside of the bonnet.

If you look at other TVR's eg Chim's & Tuscans (I think) the wiper arm touches the bonnet on these as well. So another example of TVR's corner cutting "that'll do" approach. More negative points in the concours though I'm afraid

[v8s4me]

When I started on this project way back in 2011 I found there were lots of modern arms with the flatter profile but the problem was finding one which had the right size spindle so don't forget that measurement when you go to the breakers.

[v8s4me]

greymrj said:

...What do you reckon Joe, are the recesses in the bodywork different on our cars?

Difficult to tell from the photos. There might ne an early S1 at our club meet tomorrow so I'll have a look then.

[v8s4me]

The S1 didn't turn up last week so I'm no wiser about the cut-outs. However, I was having a close look at an MX5 this afternoon and the spindle on that looked quite small. I didn't have any tools with me but the nut looked to be M12 or M13. Maybe worth a look?

[v8s4me]

Nice job

[v8s4me]

If you can get hold of them, the VW ones allow the wiper blades to sit lower.





You will need two pairs to do this though because you have to use the two shorter elbows (the cranked bits which attache to the spindles).

Nissan looks like a good option too.

With any modern arm check the spring tension. Our geriatric motors might have a job dragging the blades across the screen if the springs are too tight. I stretched my springs a bit and never use the wipers on a dry screen.