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Peter Pan meets Joe Lucas

TexasKnucklehead

Jedi Knight
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One of the numerous things missing from my TR3, when I picked it up, was the wiper motor. Eventually I got one off eBay, as usual; condition unknown. I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of money on missing and/or replacement parts and am trying to limit costs as much as possible. When I took apart the gear and shaft, I wasn’t surprised to find hardened pools of a substance that once was grease. Apparently this unit was exposed to the elements for some time, as the rust had to be removed before the armature could be separated from the housing. I also noticed a single spring and a small fiber-board in a pile of rust, and noticed the brushes were in their holders, but not touching the armature. I assumed there would be a second spring and sifted through the rust. Eventually I found another fiber-board, but it was broken around the hole. Then I realized the spring must go between the two brush mounts, held in place by an insulating fiber-board attached to each brush mount. Searching around the garage, the recycle bin provided an empty Peter Pan peanut butter lid of about the same thickness. A few snips, some filing, a tiny hole drilled, and the brushes had spring force holding them against the armature. After a little more clean-up, some grease, a quick connection to a 12v DC source and I have a working Lucas wiper assembly.

Never before have I used anything related to peanut butter to fix a Lucas accessory. A little more clean-up on the outside, some paint, and no one will ever know what trash lies within –or how long it will work. ...just like new?
 

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TexasKnucklehead said:
Never before have I used anything related to peanut butter to fix a Lucas accessory.

Yeah, that's all good but now you have to worry about Salmonella.....
 
So you got that thing fixed up in a Jif? Great news, I hope it doesn't seem Skippy after it's been running a while!
 
Great you got it working! Rain X is probably the best thing on a 3 windshield to keep it clear as the wipers aren't the most effective ones ever built.
 
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