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Windshield Wipers Install

Clean Sweep: How to Install Windshield Wipers
By Jim Youngs
Photography by Jim Youngs
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The Specialty Power Windows... 
   
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The Specialty Power Windows windshield wiper kit includes a motor, a motor-gear housing assembly, a drive wheel, a drive link, wiper-arm transmissions, a cable, aluminum tubing, wiring and a switch.
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The first step in installing... 
   
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The first step in installing the wiper kit is determining the proper position of the transmissions based on the desired sweep of the blades and the Park position. Spend extra time here before drilling the required 3/8-inch holes. Drill holes in the cowling at about a 90-degree angle to the windshield.
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Depending on the desired sweep... 
   
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Depending on the desired sweep rotation and the Park position, mount the transmissions, making sure to check for clearance and interference with other equipment. Adjust the threaded housing height accordingly. To keep the transmission shafts at the proper angle, make bezels out of thick walled aluminum tubing cut at the desired angles.
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Once the transmissions are... 
   
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Once the transmissions are fitted, the shafts may have to be shortened. Mark the threaded housing, disassemble the transmissions and remove the inner shaft. Be sure to run one of the retaining nuts over the housing before cutting and deburring.
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Replace the inner shaft and... 
   
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Replace the inner shaft and slide the knurled pivot down to its new position. Mark the shaft just above the pivot, remove the shaft and then cut it. Reassemble the transmission and reinstall it in the car.
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Measure the distance between... 
   
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Measure the distance between the slots where the flared tubing will attach to each transmission. Then bend, mark and cut it as needed. Add a single flare to each end of this tube to fit between the transmissions. The tube flares fit in notches in the backplate of the transmissions. Don't use double flares because they tend to cause noisy wiper operation. Also, cut and flare both ends of a 4-inch piece of tube to be mounted on the transmission at the end of the cable.
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Assemble the motor using the... 
   
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Assemble the motor using the mounting washers and three retaining bolts. For mounting ease, the motor can be rotated into any position on the gear housing.
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This motor was mounted on... 
   
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This motor was mounted on the driver-side kick panel where it would be hidden by an upholstery piece. Just make sure the motor assembly is unobstructed and within 36 inches of the closest transmission. Before sliding the cable into the tube, bend the tubing to fit the motor (but no tighter than a radius of 3 inches) and check the measurements. Then cut the tubing to the correct length and flare both ends. Next, slide the cable into the tube housings (shown), through both transmissions, until the block end is against the motor end of the tube. Mark the cable where it extends beyond the end of the short piece of tubing. Remove the cable from the housing, then cut it off and deburr it. Coat the cable heavily with wheel-bearing grease and reinstall it in the housing.
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Determine the sweep angle... 
   
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Determine the sweep angle of the wiper blades. This is the total angle in degrees that the wiper arm travels from its Park position to the point of maximum travel. Mark the hole in the drive wheel that corresponds to the desired sweep angle. Run the motor to determine the Park position, then install the drive wheel (shown) on the motor shaft.
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Locate the cable and cable... 
   
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Locate the cable and cable housing in the motor assembly. Install the drive link into the correct hole of the drive wheel and the hole in the cable end block. Grease all moving parts with bearing grease. Replace the motor-gear housing cover and tighten down the motor assembly.
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Mount the switch in a convenient... 
   
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Mount the switch in a convenient place and connect the wiring according to the diagram. Be careful to have a good ground on the vehicle's frame, and make sure the wiper shafts park in the proper position.
Specialty Power Windows
2087 Collier Rd.
Forsyth
GA  31029
(800) 634-9801

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