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240 Weird Wiper Problem[ALL/1988] posted by Garet Livermore on
Saturday, 24 January 1998, at 8:05 p.m.
To all:
My 1986 240 Wagon has a strange windshield wiper problem that I've never experienced in any other car I've owned, but is apparently somewhat common amongst Volvo 240s. The problem first manifested itself last year when I was driving to Montreal in an absolute deluge of a rainstorm. In the middle of the trip the driver's side wiper arm pivot bolt loosened and the arm stopped moving in mid cycle. Not having a proper wrench with me I continued at slow speed in the break down lane and found a hardware store off the next exit to tighten up the bolt. Oddly enough I was travelling to Montreal to visit an old college friend who also drives a 240, who experienced the same problem at about the same time as we did, only he travelled the rest of the way leaning out the window at highway speeds.
The strange part of the problem is that there seems to be no way to tighten the pivot bolt so that the arm stays fastened. Now I drive around with a wrench in my glove box dedicated to the windshield wiper arm and whenever it looks cloudy I stop and tighten the bolt and adjust the arms. Living in Burlington, Vermont one can find me frequently by the side of the road diddling with the wipers, and I am pretty tired of it.
Does anyone know what the root cause of this is? Is it the wiper arm itself that needs to be replaced, or is there a bushing or washer that is missing that I need to find.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,
Garet Livermore
Re: 240 Weird Wiper Problem[ALL/1988] posted by abe crombie on
Saturday, 24 January 1998, at 8:23 p.m.
If the nut is loose enough to allow it happen the first time then the serrations on the wiper shaft chew a significant amount of metal out of the wiper arm and it will happen MUCH more easily on subsequent frosty mornings. Repalce the arm and apply a thread locking chemical when you install new arm.
This is actually a feature to prevent damage to the wiper mechanism. It is cheaper the shear the metal out of the arm if the wiper freezes to windshiel in icing conditons than it is to replace/repair the mechanism under the dash.
Re: 240 Weird Wiper Problem[ALL/1988] posted by Jim Ells on
Sunday, 25 January 1998, at 12:48 p.m.
Garet - I replaced the infamous nuts with "NyLocs". This is an ordinary shouldered nut with a nylon insert that is supposed to grab the threads. They are availabe in both metric & SAE threads. Also, a lock washer might help. Additionally, I ALWAYS use stainless when ever possible to maintain integrity against corrosion. And... I apply silicon grease w/white graphite at all moving points and intersections as an added protection. Have never had a failure after thes procedure. Good luck!
PS: Do you know my good friend, Jim Russell? He lives in and, goes to school in Burlington. Neat guy; worth knowing and I've lost his address and tel number. You might want to look him up.
Regards, Jim Ells
'79 262C Bertone
350 Olds/Cad 4 speed/etc.
Re: 240 Weird Wiper Problem[ALL/1988] posted by Ed Lipe on
Sunday, 25 January 1998, at 1:37 p.m.
Jim's on the right track... this was probably caused by "loose nuts". You could try the "kluge"(a german word for a 'good' improv repair) which would be Loctite 609 green retaining compound. It would still allow for a "breakaway" if necessary. Or next time after the proper, repair use Loctite blue retainer on the nuts. Also flip the wipers away from the windshield for easy snow and ice removal in the morning.
Happy Motoring...
sorry for all the "quotes" ED7
Re: 240 Weird Wiper Problem[ALL/1988] posted by Garet Livermore on
Sunday, 25 January 1998, at 7:22 p.m.
To all:
Thanks for the input. I checked the serrations on the inside of the wiper arm and saw significant wear. I'll replace the arm and use one of the compunds mentioned.
Garet Livermore
P.S. I don't know Jim Russell, does he go to UVM, or one of the other colleges in the area?