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Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

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  • Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

    Took a test drive after swapping the shock top mounts. It’s a few days until MOT time and this is obviously when things like to break. I had no wipers, no washer fluid pump. After some diagnostics found the 30amp fuse to the wiper system popped.

    A few signs of issues on the wiper motor – black goop coming out one of the screws and around the casing. A plastic plug on the bottom looking a bit goopy / melted.

    It didn’t smell to good either.











    Not sure on the sequence of failure but the magnet was cracked, one of the brushes worn and some coils melted (which is where the smell and all the black rubbish came from).

    Ordered a new one off eBay from Classic Landrover Parts, it's a Lucas wiper motor used in many classic British cars.





    Swapped in the 90 degree cog from the old one and reinstalled. To make future changes easier, also order a plug/loom as originally we’d used spade connectors.







    Nice to have fully working wipers again!

    ---

    Last year the MOT person mentioned there was excessive movement in the rear shock mounts. After some testing it was mainly the top mounts. They are from Gaz Shocks, purchased in 2005. They still have replacement ball joint parts but advised the top mounts have been upgraded significantly since my original purchase. Sadly the top mounts they sell are designed for OEM BMW where they offset the mounting position. In the Sportster the mount position needs to be in the BMW stock location. I’ve had some Powerflex mounts on order for quite a long time now, they had no stock so I’m waiting for them to manufacture new ones.

    I’d already ordered new ball joints for the lower mount from Gaz, so I decided to install these and use the much less damaged old ball joints from the lower mount in the old Gaz top mounts. With the circlips out they still needed to be pressed out with some creative use of sockets and a vice.

    Will see if the MOT tester comments this year or not, the movement is about as much as it was stock now.

    Hopefully I will get the powerflex mounts soon (which will need some modification) so this can be finished properly.













    ---

    The ball joints in the gaz shocks were worn out, they didn’t have an upgrade unit available with stock BMW top mount/shock positioning. I therefore looked for an alternative which I found with the Powerflex PFR5-5630-10BLK. Ordered a set on eBay but ended up having to wait 2 months for the next production run (eBay seller was great at keeping me informed of progress, so if you need some bits check out Strutbracer). Worth the wait though it’s a nice set.



    What I did know before ordering is that this set comes in 10mm and 12mm variants for different shocks, however the Gaz shock is 11m. I therefore ordered the 10mm version that I then modified.













    With that done I swapped out the top mount







    Need to do some driving make sure I have not clearance issues as the top of the shock can move more now than with the ball joint.
    BMW E30 Sportster 2005 - M20B28 - Build Log and Updates http://www.msportster.co.uk/
    http://www.modelog.co.uk/
    http://www.mustang67.co.uk/

  • #2
    Re: Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

    You don't appear to have a lot of luck with the Sportster , seems like one thing then another fails.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

      One of the joys of kit cars or b...dy mongrels.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

        I think a lot of the parts are getting to an age where stuff breaks, but yeah had quite a few this year. A lot of it is around 17 years old now.

        I spent some time today replacing yet another rubber metro ball joint boot. I’ve started buying just the boots last year. Only needed to change one of the lower ones I didn’t bother with last year for the MOT.

        Went for a drive today to check over everything, the new shock mounts have taken some harshness out of the rear end which is quite pleasant.

        It’s also a project - and projects are never finished
        Last edited by Patrick; 02-10-22, 12:34 PM.
        BMW E30 Sportster 2005 - M20B28 - Build Log and Updates http://www.msportster.co.uk/
        http://www.modelog.co.uk/
        http://www.mustang67.co.uk/

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

          The work was all worth it, passed MOT no comments.

          Well except the shoulder on the inner front tyres is getting a bit thin – but I was expecting that.

          it’ll need new front tyres at some point, im trying to decide if I should get 16” alloys as I could get some Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (which are my fav tyres for the combo of grip and comfort) or just stick with the 15’s and get another set of eco contacts from Conti to match the back.

          ive been running on the donor TSW knock offs since building the car, I’d always planned to get something else one day. I kinda like the BBS style though.
          BMW E30 Sportster 2005 - M20B28 - Build Log and Updates http://www.msportster.co.uk/
          http://www.modelog.co.uk/
          http://www.mustang67.co.uk/

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

            Originally posted by Patrick View Post
            The work was all worth it, passed MOT no comments.

            Well except the shoulder on the inner front tyres is getting a bit thin – but I was expecting that.

            it’ll need new front tyres at some point, im trying to decide if I should get 16” alloys as I could get some Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (which are my fav tyres for the combo of grip and comfort) or just stick with the 15’s and get another set of eco contacts from Conti to match the back.

            ive been running on the donor TSW knock offs since building the car, I’d always planned to get something else one day. I kinda like the BBS style though.
            The tyre wear you mention sounds like too much toe out? Worth checking before you fit the new tyres?

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Wiper motor wiped, new shock mounts

              Good idea to check, it is set to toe in a bit, but it’s been a long time since I last checked
              BMW E30 Sportster 2005 - M20B28 - Build Log and Updates http://www.msportster.co.uk/
              http://www.modelog.co.uk/
              http://www.mustang67.co.uk/

              Comment

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