odd wiper

[marinabrid]

evening all
Pretty stress free Galaxy motoring at the moment, then
other day, used the wash wipe on the front and noticed the drivers side was stopping a few inches before the edge of the screen, not the usual  it goes to the edge just about.
there is no slowness in speed or odd noises.
odd thing though,  when its raining   the wipers behaves noramlly and goes right across
.
works as it should for rest of journey if its raining,   but next day,   no rain,, used wash wipe again and  the drivers side stopped short again.
wondered if anyone had this before and could point me where to look before i start poking around
thanks

[insanitybeard]

If I use the single wipe (pull the wiper stalk down and release) function instead of the intermittent or continuous wipe on my Galaxy the driver's side wiper always stops an inch or so short of full travel before reversing, and always has done. But then the mechanism used on the Galaxy isn't the same as some cars because it (the drive motor) doesn't rotate continuously in a circle when in operation- it rotates approx. 180^o with every wipe, and then reverses so the motor must sense when it reaches maximum travel, I imagine this must have something to do with the inconsistent sweep you (and I) experience!

[marinabrid]

interesting,  will try that theory out,  i did use the pull and release on the stalk to operate the wash wipe

[marinabrid]

mmm   mines the same  on any wiper control  not just the wash wipe pull.  its stopping even shorter today a good 6 inches short of the edge   can only just see.

something must be seizing though    but the odd thing  they havent slowed down  they still move smoothly and no juddering or odd noises   

any ideas

[rgwar]

It appears that a common fault with the galaxy is that the wiper motor spindles sieze up.
I had the same problem as described on the Galaxy I bought back in November last year.
The drivers side spindle had seized up (I think caused by a lot of debris collecting around the spindle which had blocked the drain hole in the plastic trim allowing water to collect around the spindle.
I took my wiper mechanism apart (a bit of a faff) and after freeing up the spindle and lubricating all the moving parts it now works fine.
It didn't cost me anything apart from a bit of grease etc. but a garage would probably charge a couple of hundred quid.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Richard

[marinabrid]

yes   know all about the wipers,  just odd that its the drivers side  and wondered why it was stopping so short but the pass side ok,   also  wipers moving without straining or slowing or any noises      wondered if someone who had this same problem could be helpful rather than me poking around everything

[johnnyroper]

Possibly seizing at that particular point in sweep and motor under strain so stops it?
I would try what has been suggested and lubricate spindles etc and see what happens,also worth inspecting linkages and joints for signs or wear

[marinabrid]

will have a good root around over the wet bank holiday !

[SilverBeast]

Definitely spindles seizing.  That was the symptom on mine.

I had to use a very big adjustables(14") to get the leverage needed to free it once the mechanism had been removed.  It took over an hour to get the spindle out of the mechanism on the drivers side, I was sure the casting would break (as it has for others). I still can't believe the motor could even move the wiper with the amount of force I needed to apply.  It's been about 3 years since I did it and it was still OK last month when I serviced car.

[marinabrid]

thanks   sounds like a big job,   when i got the car  18 months ago i thought i would lube it all up.  got all the bolts out but simply cant pull the assembly over the top of the engine,  the v6 has a a great big box or something on top which looks a sod to remove to be able to get it  free  and no way to get over or round it.    unless there is a way to do it in situ. 

or any v6 owners had this part off ?

[johnnyroper]

I thought on v6 you could remove extension piece,engine cover,air box and air pipe from box then undo expansion tank and wiper linkage can then be manoeuvred out?

[marinabrid]

not sure on that one,  when i tried 18 month ago i gave up and didnt look any further into what needed taking off the engine to free the linkage
as all was ok then i just lubed it as best i could, but nowe i have the drivers arm stopping 8 inches now short of the screen edge

looking at some other info i found some have done a job with the thing in situ   buy losening the nut   tapping it and somehow freeing it off and relubing without a full refurb type job    taking the thing apart,  will have a better look when some time
just trying to gleen info before i started if anything different on v6

[marinabrid]

looking at the posting on how to remove and relube the wiper assembly,   has anyone done it with the linkage still in place on the car,   looking at drivers side it seems easy to access ,

is it not possible to pop the link drive arm off and remove the top cirlcips and try and tap it loose and free to lube it up

[SilverBeast]

If it's as seized as mine was I doubt it.  I couldn't even drift it straight out.  I had to use penetrating oil and work it out by rotating and pulling at the same time.  Like I said needed a large adjustable just to get the leverage to rotate it while I pulled.

[marinabrid]

well had to tackle the big job today.,no way would it come out without taking loads of stuff off the top of the engine off, so left in situ, drivers side was so stiff its a wonder the wiper motor hadnt burnt out ! had to tap it and wiggles it as per instructions. loads of wd.
fraction at a time it came out. had to unbolt the linkage to wiggle it  then bolt it up again to tap it, took about 1 hour.  very pitted shaft inside so cleaned and greased slipped it back in.
thought i may as well do pass side,. prised drive bar off of the thing was not at all seized. really odd. same age as other side.  anyway tap it out cleaned it up and greased up.
so around 4 hours work   probly Ã,£200 plus at garage whi no doubt would have wanted to fit a new assembly.
Once again THANKS to all those who run and contribute.

[Chrispb]

 

[marinabrid]

Yes    there is always that sense of satisfaction when you manage to complete the job and everything works ,, till the next time.