'Crunching' wipers

[rulle7]

Boys and girls,
it's the tail end of rainy season over here in the far east and driving home the other day the heavens opened up.
Got my top up in a hurry and continued merrily on my way.
This is when I noticed that my wipers are making a 'crunching' sound at the end of each 'up' sweep.
A spot of grease might be in order.
Before I get my nose dirty and have a good look, I thought maybe the combined experience of BCF might give me a heads up if there's anything else I should look for or be aware of regarding this 'crunching' issue. Will get to it this weekend. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
Thanks in advance.

 

[Banjo]

The wipers operate by a toothed cable (actually a spiral wound that acts like teeth) that runs through tubes and across gears on the base of the wiper pivots. If some dirt or sand gets in there then it can "crunch" as it gets pulled into the gears. I've seen this a lot after someone sandblasted, or had the mechanism apart ,dropped it in the dirt, and diden't clean it up good. But dirt can just get in there over time.
That would be my first guess for you. Good luck!

 

[rulle7]

Banjo,
thanks for the good poniters.
Will have a good look this weekend, seems like I might have to do a bit of cleaning and greasing.
I try to stay out of the rain and haven't noticed this sound before. Live and learn, I suppose.
Happy motoring. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

Carl, be advised that the wheelboxes ( the gears at each wiper) are a bear to get at. You may want to budget some extra time on a sunny day for the project.
Or, you can just turn the radio up! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jeff