Hi

I have to replace one of my wiper wheel boxes (32 tooth, newer type). Can anyone provide a step by step on how to do this. I'm not sure if I have to remove the wiper motor first and would like to make this job painless as possible.

Thanks

I hate this job, when you've got nice paint its a sure fire method to putting a nice deep scratch in it, so go slowly and take your time...

First up, remove the wndscreen wipers themselves and remove the chrome nuts which are immediately below the wiper. Be careful not to damage the plastic mounting plinths as you do so.

Easiest way from here imho is to first remove the cover plate off the wiper motor; then unscrew the union on the end of the wiper bundy tube.

Remove an e-clip on the timing gear inside the motor with a small screwdriver (don't lose it, keep a finger on it as you go) and then you can remove the push-pull cable from the gear.

Now the wipers are free of the motor and gearbox.


To remove the rest you will need to do this by touch and feel. The wiring loom runs next to the bundy tube and wheel boxes so will get in your way constantly.
It's best to carefully pull back the retaining clips the wiring loom is retained in with, and pull the loom away from the bulkhead so it gets in your way as little as possible.
Then you can start to remove the wheelboxes by carefully twisting them around and pulling them out, this is the pain in the arse part because they're a pretty tight fit. You can work it out as you go along, but be careful not to scratch the paint or chip it away from around the holes.


good luck!

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Hi should be pretty easy try this.

1. remove wiper arms from both spindles gently with a wiggle and
levering carefully with a flat screw driver.
2. undo the nuts securing the wiper boxes to the body
3. to get best access undo the nut holding the wiper drive tube to the wiper motor.
4. Carefully move the mechanism to give you access unscrew the wiper wheel box and replace with the new one.

you'll work out how to put it back together - just be careful before you test drive the wipers to ensure the sweep is correct and won't foul the bodywork.

1. Remove the Bonnet and Carbie and put a clean rag in the manifold to stop anything falling in there.

2. Remove the wiper arms.

3. Undo the nuts on the wiper box spindles.

4. Remove the top cover off the wiper motor.

5. Remove the E clip & washer from the big gear wheel that secures the push/pull rod. Lift out the push/pull rod.

6. Where the tube leaves the wiper motor, there is a large nut. Loosen this but don't remove it.

7. Under the scuttle panel, the wiring harness runs here and is clipped in with fold over steel tabs. Staighten these and drop the harness down out of the way. If there are washers, do the same with the tubing.

8. From here you need to be patient and careful. Push gently on each of the wheel box spindles and try to rotate them, towrds the windscreen, at the same time. It will take a bit of juggling but eventually they'll come. Don't be tempted to bend the bundy tubing.

9. Once these assembly is out, it's straight forwrd to replace the wheel box.

10. Reassemble in the reverse order, using so light duty all purpose grease on the inner cable, remembering to reconnect the earth to the wiper motor.

It is possible to do this without removing the bonnet and carbie, but it's only a few extra nuts and it does make the job so much easier.

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The nuts on the wiper box spindles are usually impossible to undo.
Try soaking in penetrating oil for a couple of months before eventually giving up and undoing the nuts with a chisel.

If they are the 8 sided (flimsy) nuts I cut one corner off (just down to the thread) with the angle grinder. A bit of WD40 and a big shifter then unscrews it easy.
To clean the threads up on the spindle, I put a couple of hacksaw cuts in a new nut and screw it on. A poor man's dienut...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks for the excellent replies guys.

I will give it a go when my new wheel boxes arrive. I have 2 in the post. I wont have trouble getting the nut off one of them. The spindle has been stripped by someone in the past. Just getting around to fixing all the little things.

Up next is Tacho, lights, relay, dip switch, heater cable.

Just thought i'd bring this thread back up , found it well described , it may help others that need to tackle this pr!ck of a job .

I'm currently doing this job at the moment and crap the top nuts on the wheel boxes are tight , i've had them soaking in Chemsearch "Yield" for two days and they still dont want to budge , i get the feeling i am going to destroy them , but trying not to .

What is the grease to replace the old grease with?

I used Castrol LMM molygrease.
You don't want thick grease, Mini wipers are slow enough already!

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.