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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Which wiper arm for my car?

My next little query to the knowledgable. My wipers arms are different but they both fit ok. I'm assuming they should be the same. i.e left and right are the same? So which one is the correct one for my car, top or bottom? I'm thinking the top one. Although first registered 69 it's really a 67 spec car.

Greg


Greg H

Should you not have one that is locked with a screw to the spindel?
Onno K

Hi greg

This probably won't help much but I have a 1970 Sprite and have just fitted a pair of the lower arms in your pic. They look fine and seem to work ok. They also don't have a locking screw and just push on.

Mark
M Adams

Onno no idea what I should have which is why I'm asking. :) They just push on and worked fine. I'd just like to have two the same.

So Mark what did you have on it originally same as the bottom ones which you just put on?

Onno's comment suggests I should have something other than the push ons.
Greg H

Greg, mine '67 midget has the upper wiperarms fitted, with the pop rivets.
Since I'm not the first owner of the car, it was first exported to the U.S.A.and I own it since 1999 don't know if these are the original ones though.

Onno, could the screw to spindel be a mod from the p.o. ?
Moss doesn't list screws for the wiperarms to spindels.

Pascal


pjw Seezink

You don't actually screw the arm in to the spindle. With the screw you pull up a wedge and so clamp the arm to the spindle. I had push ons and now have screw ons.
Alex G Matla

Hello Pascal your pic makes me think that's what I should have. Looking at the two the thin ones a bit wimpier. The fatter one has a proper spring under them, so perhaps it's an improved version on the later cars?

Alex why did you change. Do the push ons get loose on the spindles and start to slip or fall off?
Greg H

the top is the correct looking blade and arm






except




I don't know if you can still get that exact design with s/s and two rivets




plus



originally the wipers arms probably had a screw (which is now described as a wedge lock for worn drives)

you need some old photos of Aus cars when new to really be sure

ETA: the Tex blades are also a different design, well the ones you get now from MG suppliers


Nigel Atkins

on another note:

has anyone bought new Tex blades within the last 6 months to find they're useless at wiping the screen?

more rubbish rubber I think
Nigel Atkins

Thanks. Now I understand the wedge. It looks like a good way to hold it on. I was a little amazed how the originals just stay on there with only a taper and nothing else. Seemed to work ok though.

I'll see if I can find a s/h one.
Greg H

Greg they have a little spring plate as well

you could try contacting Tex but bear in mind most there weren't probably born when your car was new

http://www.texautomotive.com/index.html

I've contacted them very recently and found them very helpful
Nigel Atkins

Edit not working so:-

you could try contacting Tex but bear in mind most there weren't probably born when your car was new

http://www.texautomotive.com/index.html

I've contacted them very recently and found them very helpful
Nigel Atkins

The small one of mine is made by Trico the larger one Rainbow. Were these made for MG?

Not a bad website I noticed you can even get them made up to your own specs. I suspect if I decided to go with two new ones they would know excatly what I was after.

I found a guy in the UK who has the grey cockpit moulding I'm after so I've also asked him if he has and orginal wiper arm. If not I now have another option.
Greg H

Hello Greg , that makes sence. The early pop riveted arms have sort of a leave spring to pull the wiper on the screen and the later improved arms have propper spring to pull the wiper on the screen.
Last autumn ( fall?) I worked on the electrics of the Midget and after that went for a testdrive without bothering to charge the battery first. The headlights weren't very bright and the strong wind lifted up the wiper blades so went home very quikly.
And what Nigel says is very true, the quality of the rubber is rubbish. Better use Rain X or simmular too.

Pascal
pjw Seezink

I noticed Tex do a Trico style blade

just remembered the last set of new Tex wiper arms I bought (5 years ago) had literally razor sharp edges when I lifted the arms to clean I noticed red paint specs on my blue car and then realized the edges of the arms were so sharp they'd sliced open my fingers without me noticing

Pascal,
rubbish rubber - I'm just sorting out replacing rubber boots on TREs that split and rubber steering rack gaiters that cracked both within less than 6 months light use as well as the rubber in the Tex blades

Greg,
well done on finding the grey trim - who's has it?
Nigel Atkins

As I rember it the polished stainless steel ones were up to the Leyland face lift when they changed to a dull satin finish, followed by black for some 1500's.

There are also two end fittings spoon and later straight engagement types (rwa ? and 1500's).

As to blades has anybody tried the new style blades with out all the backing steel etc - i.e like latest cars have.
I've got these on the modern (Saaab/Volks) and they are very good - seen them on e bay for Midgets and not tried as yet.
richard boobier

yeap there are spoon and straight, with and without screw and wedge, and later black, shiney or not might just be an aftermarket thing but I din't know

Richard,
I'd be happy to look at these new blades if they're for Spridgets put up a link please

here's a review on one make/type but on a modern car with those huge windscreens, see also the update at the very end - http://www.carbibles.com/productreviews_rainxlatitude.html
Nigel Atkins

Tex is for polishers, not for drivers IMHO.
And I replaced the arms 'cause they where worn. The rivet on wich the arm can be lifted was worn, lots of play.
Alex G Matla

I can't polish my car as what little paint is on it would be on the cloth

TBH because of their size I've never really thought about alternatived pehaps I should

I will admit that a couple of times they have reflected the sun but that would be because they're clean rather than polished
Nigel Atkins

Greg,
just looking at the Driver's Handbook for something else, anyway . . .

the drawings in it show the earlier cars as having spoon/hook ends, straight converging sides on arm (as with your bottom arm) one rivet and screw and wedge (not on your bottom arm) - and later cars as straight end, straight converging sides on arm, one rivet and spring only fixing to spindle
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 26/02/2012 and 27/02/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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