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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Mobile Windscreen Wipers

I have a 65 MkIII Sprite and within the last year I have "lost" four windscreen wipers (both blade and arm). The first time, I lost both wipers in one go and I thought they had been stolen at a party I attended the night before I noticed they were missing. I replaced them rather begrudingly while thinking up evil plans of what I would do to the selfish idiot if I ever caught up with him. However, a couple of months later, I was flying down the M3 and the driver's side wiper diappeared over my head - ahhh, there was no thief after all! The splines on the drive rotor were clearly worn and I filed the splines to roughen them but another M3 mishap proved that was not the solution. I wondered if anyone else had had a similar issue and what remedy they came up with - loctite?, drill & pin?, Blu Tac, don't drive in the rain? It can't be too permanent as you want to be able to remove the wiper arm at some point for maintenance/replacement.

All ideas gratefully received.

Al
A Sinker

There are wiper arms with a clamping thingy, hold tight by a screw. Specially made for worn splines I believe.
Was a topic recently, someone asking about what kind he had, with the screw.
I have them, bought at midget50.
Alex G Matla

They weren't specially made for worn splines. They were standard fitment for part of production. I don't have exact dates to hand, but I think that all of my GAN5s had them.
Dave O'Neill2

Tex list a series of various wiper arms such as:

http://www.texautomotive.com/images/Classic/Wipers/U80.jpg

so you shouldbe able to find a suitable one.

HTH
Doug Plumb

Doug's identified the ones I've used and they work very well with 41 year old splines - none lost as yet.

Jeremy
Jeremy 3

I had similar happen on my old Mini about 25 years ago and the only solution I could find to cure it was to change the wheelboxes which is even harder on a Mini than it is on a Sprite or a Midget.

Andrew
Andrew McGee

Thanks to you all for the feedback and particularly Doug for the link. I have just placed an order with Tex for two new wiper blades and arms with the wedge lock design. Problem solved and jugding by the weather forecast, just in time too. Apologies if this was already discussed in a recent thread but I missed it.

Al
A Sinker

as has already been put screw type fitting arms were used for a while instead of spring ones, they might hold better on a worn spline but I don't know that for sure

replacing the wheelboxes (if the modern parts are any good) would be the best solution

sorry to put a downer on this

Al,
I'd be very interested to know how you get on with your new wiper blades and arms in the rain as I'm about to write to Tex as I just replaced my wiperblades, twice, and now arms and the new sets of both are worse than the old worn sets!

I would put money on rubbish rubber for the blades but they also don't full touch the screen in places where the old set though worn did
Nigel Atkins

So, how was your weekend trip then Nigel? Get better weather in the north than in the wet Midlands this time I think?
Guy

Great time as always thanks Guy

always a bit nippy at the Fat Lamb's car park but once off that road things warmed up

yesterday was a bit wetter but only usual Yorkshire slight misting, regretably hood was up and I hadn't fully turned the heater off as I thought I had and even my wife moaned about being too warm

we're actually classed as East Midlands here, sunny and warm again today here
Nigel Atkins

Nigel,

I have just received the wiper assemblies from Tex and they look just the job. I'll fit them this weekend and let you know how they perform.

Regards

Al
A Sinker

Al,
funny you should reply now as I've just got an email from Tex to say they want to replace and inspect my blades

so, so far, good customer service from them - a rare thing nowadays

I must say when I asked about their door mirror plinth wedge before because mine had fell apart they posted me a feee replacement so their track record is very good too

they tell me the wiper elements (rubber blades) are made in the UK

I meant to say before the screw type fitting arms are called 'Wedge Lock'

I'd be interested to know how you get on as as I told Tex I've spent £57.79 (inc VAT but exc P&P) and the clearing of the windscreen is worse than the worn set I replaced in November
Nigel Atkins

so Al how were those wipers and blades?
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 26/04/2012 and 12/05/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.