Got caught in the rain....then things got worrying

[selmer]

I nipped out to local shop, 3 1/2 miles away down country lanes (C roads). About 1/2 mile from shop on return journey it starts to rain. Heavy rain, really heavy bouncing rain. I pull over to put hood up and switch on lights and wipers.
The wipers run across screen once and stay there.
I jumped out to have a look and realised the motor shaft is turning but the arm isn't moving with it.
Set off with chamois in hand and specs off, poking head out of window frequently just to 'check' I'm still in centre of road.
Tried tightening the assembly when I got home and dry but it isn't grabbing the shaft.
Is this a new arm or would a piece of shim work, and what type of arms are they?
Help please. Tony.

[grahamw48]

Hmm yes, I got caught in that downpour on my way down the A19 to York this evening. Fortunately I was in the trusty Rover.

Anyway, sounds like the splines have gone - happened to me on an old Sunbeam Alpine of mine.
Halfway up the A1 one day, bluddy drivers side arm just disappeared over a hedge !
I got out and transferred the passenger side arm over.

I seem to remember shimming it out with a thin piece of soft alloy, or copper maybe.

[chunder]

I have done a repair like this with aluminium foil before. Just wrap it round and force the arm back over - it tends to shear off any excess but leave bits where there are any splines left. Worked for me but then I did sell the car soon afterwards so not sure how long it worked for.

[selmer]

So, (a bit thick here) are the splines on the shaft or the inside bore of the arm???

[dickymint]

selmer said:

So, (a bit thick here) are the splines on the shaft or the inside bore of the arm???

Both - wouldn't work otherwise. Tried the silver foil trick on the 350 didn't work for me. Needs new motor but have read somewhere its a nightmare to change. I would suggest drilling and pinning.Preferably a taper pin.

[mikeb]

And always bang on some Rain-X. When it rains then it looks like going into hyperspace (no drugs involved on that occasion!).

MikeB

[grahamw48]

Try some copper wire out of electric cable - sure that's what I used.

[selmer]

Thanks fellas, I think I'll try the drill and pin or self tapper route, and in the mean time, stay out of the rain.