Any body got some good advise on servicing the wiper set up on a 54 Buick Roadmaster? I have the stock set up - Vacuum motor (rebuilt) with the cable drive . My problem is (I think) the cables need adjustment. I have tried to "push and turn" on the spools, and I cant get the cables any tighter. The motor just won't turn the cables, and so my wipers dont work at all. Kind of funny, when I drive over 60mph the wipers go up on thier own. Before any one says it, there is plenty of vacuum from the motor, and yes I know Newport Engineering make an electric motor to fit. Also I have applied plenty of Rain X, but the New Zealand monsoon season is coming and I dont want to get "up the creek without a paddle". I have a service manual but the only info it has is to oil the cable drive. Whats a proud Buick owner to do?
This proud Buick (1955) owner bought an electric WW motor. I have never been able to r&r a vacuum set up.
Try imperial wipers in missou. I think that is their name. Search it here. There was a post about wipers here before
Screw the new electric and fix it yourself. Buy a fuel pump rebuild kit from Egge Engine and go through the whole thing - both fuel and vacuum halves. The fuel side probably needs it anyway. Replace all the vacuum hoses. Lube the controle cable so it functions smoothly. Pull the wiper motor off the car, clean the outside, and open it up to clean the inside. Be careful of the swithing mechanism under the thin cover so that it goes back like you found it. And be sure to not damage the gasket that sits between the top cover and the piston chamber - the half-round body. Clean it all out and lube it up with light grease. It should be good to go. Don't ever mess with the cables and pulleys up under the dash unless all this fails to solve the problem. Check the Buick Club of America website. A lot of friendly and informative guys there. Have fun with a cool car!!
The wiper transmissions themselves are spring-loaded. You are supposed to be able to push the knurled post down, and the pulley on the other end will tighten up automatically with the spring. I'm not sure if that's what you were talking about when you said "push and wind." It could be that your wiper transmissions are shot. There's a specific forum dedicated to '54 Buicks. Post over there and see what they say. 1954buick.com -Brad
Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac share a lot of parts... If I suspect correctly, the motors will interchange. I have TWO '55 Cadillac vacuum motors if you want to try to rebuild those...$50.00 for the pair and you pay shipping. R-
Thanks for the offer Stude Dude, my Vacuum motor is rebuilt and ****s hard. I will keep your advise in mind though.
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