Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

[tolsen]

I have added 3 grease points on the front wind shield wiper mechanism and cleaned and greased up wiper rod linkages. There is not sufficient wall thickness (only 3 mm) to fit grease nipples so I just drilled 2 mm diameter holes and use an Oregon chainsaw bar grease gun to inject grease.
Both pivot bearings for the two wiper arms were bone dry.
By the way, the 3 wiper rod linkage arms are surprisingly cheap - only GBP 20 from the dealer for a set. These were fine on my Smart even after 9 years and 150000 km possibly because I have been spraying grease onto the plastic bearings whenever front panels have been off.


There is only one way to maneuovre the wiper mechanism out: Both shafts for wiper arms have to be removed first. Otherwise impossible to remove mechanism. I manouvred the mechanism out towards the left. Had to unscrew expansion bottle cap and disconnect windshield washer pump to provide additional clearance.

[Yamaha1]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

Thanks, TK - another very informative post from North of the border - hope you will always own a Smart, so your posts will continue!!

Mike

[tolsen]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

Thanks for the praise.
A few months ago there was a thread on one of the forums where someone was seeking info on how to remove wiper mechanism. Nobody came to his assistance so I thought I could have a go at it.
I took lots of photos when I did that job but somehow managed to loose them all during film processing. A real pity.

PS. No more squeaks from my wiper mechanism.

[mocelet]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

<snip>
I took lots of photos when I did that job but somehow managed to loose them all during film processing.

Film?!?! I am glad someone still uses film. My last attempt went horribly badly due to many factors (dead battery in camera bodies, poor processing at Jessops caused by old chemicals, bad transfer to CD caused by dirty scanner), and I was very glad I had taken pictures with the digital camera as well!

[heinkeljb]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

I have removed the wiper asembly from my 1999 passion without taking the wiper arm shafts out first. I do remember it being a pig of a job though!
What I would like though is some proper phosphour bronze bushes for the wiper arm shafts instead of the horrible plastic ones they use. The plastic ones just wear to an oval shape and make the wipers arms judder.

John

[tolsen]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

Perhaps the Cabrio is of a slightly different design compared to a 1999 Smart Mark 1 or 2. Main problem maneuvering the assembly out is lack of clearance between the steel nose bone below window and washer tank. Washer tank can't be readily removed as an integral part of heater air inlet.
Special phosphorus bronze bearings can be fitted but they need to be rather thin, externally serrated or bonded in.

[heinkeljb]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

Just looked at this as it was referenced by another current thread.

If the phosphorus bronze bearing were made with a lip at one end, they could just be an interference fit down the aluminium shaft tube. They would then be held in place by the wiper blade arm. Or if a small diameter set screw type affair with a hole down the middle to allow for lubrication.

Part of the problem with the original design is that the wiper arm only oscillates, coupled with a bit of sideways pressure turns the plastic bush oval. Any wear in this part means sloppy wipers / judders / tangled wiper blades / arms falling off etc.

John

[tolsen]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

Just looked at this as it was referenced by another current thread.

If the phosphorus bronze bearing were made with a lip at one end, they could just be an interference fit down the aluminium shaft tube. They would then be held in place by the wiper blade arm. Or if a small diameter set screw type affair with a hole down the middle to allow for lubrication.

Part of the problem with the original design is that the wiper arm only oscillates, coupled with a bit of sideways pressure turns the plastic bush oval. Any wear in this part means sloppy wipers / judders / tangled wiper blades / arms falling off etc.

John

The pivot bearings are plastic and part of the body. Body is too thin so impossible to ream out and push in replacement bearings. A completely new wiper mechanism will be required once these bearings wear out.
Best preventative maintenance is to add grease points and inject grease whenever there is access, i.e. when front panels are off.

[RacingSnake]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

Best preventative maintenance is to add grease points and inject grease whenever there is access, i.e. when front panels are off.

Although ours lasted 180,000km without this preventative maintenance

Still, no harm in adding it

[Evilution]

Re: Grease points on ForTwo Wiper Mechanism

It is a very rare problem but some people have suffered with the wiper linkages popping off.
Fitting new arms is fairly easy and even without maintenance I doubt they'd fail in the lifetime of the vehicle again.
I saw a great fix for this elsewhere. Drill a hole in the ball, tap for a thread and bolt a repair washer over the top. That certainly stopped the linkages coming off.