57 wipers

[paul bowers]

I know the car is about 50 yrs. old but if I'm going to drive it I may need the wipers they go very slow I think the cables under dash have play in them, but I don't have a clue how one would tighten the cables, how is that done or do I look for other areas that may the wipers go a little faster thanks for imput
paul

[David Lyon]

Re: 57 wipers

Paul,

On my '58, to tighten the cables I removed the wiper blades/arm assembly and pushed down on both shafts with a small wood block. If the shaft doesn't go down slightly with a little pressure, then they are frozen and need to be rebuilt. Hope this isn't the case since it's a procedure to remove and install the wiper transmissions. As far as the speed of the wipers, my '58 has two speeds activated by turning the wiper knob to the right for low and a little further for high. Again, I have a '58. I know the 56-57 transmission is listed separately in vendor catalogues so ....... I'm sure a knowledgeable C-1 person will assist in answering your questions, and I will learn more about the '57.

David

[Robert Willis]

Re: 57 wipers

There is alot more room under a 57 dash so if you have to change the transmissions it will not be to-bad.

Bob

[Robert C.]

Re: 57 wipers

Paul, As Dave said if there is slack in your cables push down on the transmission studs under the wippers which will normally tighten them.
Otherwise your motor may need rebuilding-it is a two speed-make sure the slider on the motor is able to move to the high speed position and that the cables don't restrict the travel.

Robert

[mike mccagh]

Re: 57 wipers

the c-1 shop manual discusses the tightening proceedure. as another member mentioned, the wiper transmission assemblies are prone to "freezing" which will necissitate their removal and repair.good luck, mike

[paul bowers]

Re: 57 wipers

Robert
my wipers do have two speeds now but just seem very slow, don't yet understand
procedure you mentioned as to pushing down ,is this pushing done outside car by air vent, and how by just pushing does that tighten cables (????)
paul

[David Lyon]

Re: 57 wipers

Paul,

You push down on the shaft that sticks through the body and holds the arm and blade. This is on the outside of the car. By pushing the shaft down, you release a ratcheting mechanism in the base of the transmission unit which the shaft is a part. If the shaft is not frozen, it should activate the ratcheting and tighten the cables. Remember you don't have to push very hard to see to shaft move down.
I have an excellent article on this on my computer. Email me and if I can find it, I'll send you a copy. Not really technical and explains the system in lay terms.

David

[Mike E.]

Re: 57 wipers

There are also two different articles written in past RESTORER magazines on this very issue. The 53-62 CD available from the NCRS store has those. I wrote the initial one and Joe Calcagno some years later wrote an excellent follow-up.