Update! :) 1948 F series truck vacuum wiper motor lube question

[redmodelt]

See update!
The vacuum wiper motor in the truck "JUST" wants to work. After years of sitting I am sure it's some what dry. With out pulling half the truck apart to get it out, any suggestions on what to use and how to get it in the motor?
Thanks

[flatheadmurre]

Spray into the vacuumhose connection and move the viperarm.
Some kind of light spraylube...original it was brakefluid for lubrication.

[DD931]

That has to be done right at the vacuum connection right at the wiper motor. Remember, the vacuum hose sucks, so you have to be sure that it gets into the motor.

[alanwoodieman]

attach a longer hose the vacuum hose, hold it up high and put some ATF or MMO down the hose. make sure the switch is in the in position. I have had success doing this

[FortyNiner]

Assuming your truck doesn't have a radio or speaker installed, removing the plastic plates will get you within eyeshot of the wiper motor/vac connection.

[paul2748]

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Try this

get a small can and put some brake fluid (or ATF and maybe MMO)in it. Disconnect the hose going to the wiper motor that is in the engine compartment. Stick the hose in the fluid. Manually work the wiper/s back and forth a number of times so the fluid is sucked into the wiper motor (If you have two wipers, get a friend, wife etc to move the other wiper). Let sit overnight and then try the wipers. If its the paddle inside and its dry, this will help. Put something under the wiper motor on the inside to catch any drips.

The vehicle may blow a lot of smoke when its started., this is normal and will go away..

If it is better but not good, do again as the paddle may need more time to soak up the fluid.

[3twinridges]

To really do it right in my opinion the the motor should come out. Use ATF and lube it really well working it back and forth. I totally soaked mine and gave it a good external cleaning while out. It's a good time to install a new hose.

Did that to my non-working wiper two years ago and no problems since.

JB

[Thaplumbr]

Pm sent

[redmodelt]

PM received and reply sent. At some point it will but for right now just want to get it working. I did put a new hose on and the radio grill is out.
Dripping and smoking, LOL I thought about that. What's a little smoke and a few drips in a truck like this one. Caked grease and grime keep most drips in check. See my avatar.

While I have your eyes and ears, what is the smaller tube on the other side of the control valve on the motor? It's smaller in diameter and ribbed for a hose, I know it doesn't go to the switch.

[redmodelt]

I went with the brake fluid as that's what I had on hand. Took the hose off the motor and used a syringe to fill a clear plastic tube. Holding the end up above the motor level I opened the motor vacuum switch and swiped the blades back and forth. I noted going in one direction it pushed the fluid up in the tube and the other sucked it down. Held my finger over the end of the tube on the push stroke and released on the suck side. Emptied what was in the tube, reconnected the vacuum tube, started the engine and turned on the wipers swish swish back and forth they went.
Took the truck on 8 mile drive, then let my brother take a turn driving it. Checked them again when we got back, still working.
Thanks for the suggestions.
MarkG

[Ken Bull]

I used WD40 with good initial success but I guess it dried up so this time I will try MMO. A year after I used WD40, I can move Blade manually but as soon as I start engine the blade just parks with switch on or off???





PS This is the 1936 Heart shaped motor.

[redmodelt]

Update of update; wipers getting used a lot here in wet Oregon, so still working. As the guy said in the the other post about the wiper post question, dry windshield really drags them down. Right now we are sitting at about the 5th highest April rainfall in the Portland Or area and by the end of the week(month) we could be have the 3rd.

[Art Newland]

I'll have to try this, thanks for the update. BTW, 300 miles north of you, it's just as wet!

[redmodelt]

Dec 31 2017 update, still going great! Except for the normal vacuum follies and faced with some really hard rains, driven 5 days a week things are good as can be.

[dwick01]

That is great news. Thanks for the update. I haven't gotten to the point of looking at my wipers yet. Hasn't gotten towards the top of the totem pole yet. But when I do, I will use some of these tips before I turn them on to give them a try. I am sure it's all dried out on the inside due to sitting unused for many years.

[Clem Clement]

Use rain ex to lesson the resistance to the glass. Use kerosene to soften the wiper rubber

[tweetiebirdcenter]

Originally,


did Ford recommend brake fluid as a lubricant for vacuum wipers?

[FlatheadTed]

Ken if the arm /paddle doesn't move the whole stroke it wont revers ,pull it apart and clean it in hot water and detergent ,soak it so the leather swells ,lube it with Vaseline ,grease the littlie reverse slider and reassemble putting a blob of silicone were the shaft come out Ted

Originally Posted by Ken Bull

I used WD40 with good initial success but I guess it dried up so this time I will try MMO. A year after I used WD40, I can move Blade manually but as soon as I start engine the blade just parks with switch on or off???





PS This is the 1936 Heart shaped motor.

[redmodelt]

Someplace I saw a copy of some original instructions from Trico, yes that is what was suggested, brake fluid.