Triumph Repair: TR7 Drivers side windshield wiper arm

Question
QUESTION: Howard,
 
  When I bought my 76 Tr7 a few years ago, the windshield wipers were removed.  I am trying to get the drivers side back on, but all I have is the wiper arm and the big nut.  The arm has a 2nd smaller arm to change the angle of the blade as it rotates.  On it's base is a ring with a keyway.  I think there must be some sort of spacer or bushing involved because if I put that ring on the wheelbox shaft first, it's u joint will foul with the nut if I put that on next and try to tighten it down.  If I put the nut on first then it blocks the keyway in the body panel that must use some sort of pin to lock the ring in place so it doesn't rotate.  Anyway, am I missing some parts ?

  Thanks,

  Steve


TR-7wiper.jpg   ANSWER: Hi Steve,

Here is a picture of the components that make up the mounting of the drivers wiper blade. It may be difficult to locate these parts if you are missing any as they are not the usual ware out parts. Your best source would be a shop that does a lot of British car repairs or a local British car club. In those groups are people who keep salvage British cars as parts cars. If all else fails you could have the piece with the "Tooth" that fits into the keyway hand made out of a small block of metal. Most any small machine shop could make that piece.

Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard,

Thanks for the drawing - it all makes sense now.  The spacer with the hook - is it plastic or metal ?  I'll have a look for it in the boxes that came with the car...  I've put the passenger arm on for now since we have some rainy weather coming.  I tried to use a roll pin to lock the ring but that didn't work.  My other problem is my nut probably isn't correct - it has 6 sides so is too big for the ring and u joint.  Looks like another parts hunt !

  Thanks again,

  Steve

ANSWER: That piece as I remember was a cast piece of metal and chrome plated. Until you get it fixed put Rain-X on your windshield and you don't need wipers above 35 MPH. Then wipers are only needed in light drizzle and at low speeds.

Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard,

  I do have some rain-x, good idea, the passenger arm seems to cover the driver's area ok, don't know why Triumph chose to make the arm so complicated...  I suppose it covered a slightly larger area and looked cool.

  Thanks again,

  Steve

Answer
The windshield was very large compared to most back then so the only way to get more of it wiped they used the extra link like many buses and large trucks did. I liked it better then the three wipers used on some of the MGs.

I have designed a different system for my MG show car but have not built it yet. It involves using Rain-X on the windshield and no wipers but on a short arm I am going to put air jets to blow air on the windshield in a sweeping motion but only below 35 MPH.

Howard