TVR Chim wiper issue

[TVRlearner]

Hi all,
In heavy rain the other day, the wipers got tangled together. The result has been that the thread of the wiper arm and the thread on the top of the spindle have been been smoothed off. The wiper arm thread is the worst but this is an easy fix with a new wiper arm.

Spindle thread see photo attached with this circled in blue, in case i'm not using the correct terminology.

My question is - does anyone know/can provide me a link to a replacement part, and can it be replaced easily or is it the job that i've read about where you have to take the top of the dash off?

Thoughts welcome and thanks in advance.

[nigelj77]

I expect you need to remove the dashtop to gain access to the internal side of the spindle assembly, I've never removed a dashtop but I don't think it's a terrible job, good luck.

Regarding the part, you could try the usual suppliers or worst case look for 2nd hand from one of the specialist breakers, a lot of TVRs never see the rain so less likely the wiper mechanism is worn out.

Hope this helps.

[Belle427]

Removing the dash top is the easy bit, access to the spindles isnt.
Some cars may have an access panel under the dash top if your very lucky but a lot dont so you have to resort to cutting it out yourself which is no fun.
I believe some have done it under the mesh grille in the engine bay but i personally would rather do it inside so its hidden by the dash.

[phillpot]

I'd try just new wiper arms first before the hassle and expense of wiper wheel box's

[LucyP]

Dremel on the spindles to re-groove?

[lancepar]

Have a look at the Firewall and see if someone has been in that way from the engine bay.....Then glassed over the holes.

[MikeE]

I believe they're Classic Mini wheel boxes.

I've been inside that void when I rebuilt my Griffith, I took the entire bulkhead/scuttle panel off from the engine bay side, by removing all the rivets and mastic holding it on. I would not advise this approach as it's a lot of work.

From my rebuild experience you're going to need to get access directly to that wheel box to replace it. You need access so you can unbolt it from the push/pull mechanism that's driving it. So to get good access I'd suggest you cut out a suitable sized panel around the offending wheel box spindle, replace the wheel box and then glass fibre the panel back into place. Then fill, sand down and spray matt black before reattaching the grill, which I think will cover most of your repair so it won't need to be totally invisible when finished.

Oh and to get the mesh grill off don't bother using a drill to get the rivets out, you risk damaging the screen rubber. Much quicker and safer to chisel the tops off the riivets, mine came off very easily using this approach.

[Adrian@]

OP, The taper spline will clean out with a Stanley knife blade..and the arm will lock back down on to the then cleaned out spline...Griff/Chim/Cerb wheel boxes are NOT a classic mini part. IF the wiper arms have clashed simply because the arm has spun freely on that spline it should be all working as was already. (wipers as such work at 13.8V engine running, alternator light off). A@

[TVRlearner]

Thanks all - much appreciated