Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: StevenOrlando on February 06, 2016, 10:34:08 am

Title: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: StevenOrlando on February 06, 2016, 10:34:08 am
I was replacing some rusted hardware on the exterior of my 1997 U320 the other day and managed to snap off a cap nut that covers a threaded stud on the wiper arm.  Any ideas on replacement parts? 

Does anyone recognize this brand as Amtram, Carpenter, Wayne, or Thomas?

The broken portion is the rusted stud in front of the chromed cap nut.

Steven
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Lance Camper on February 06, 2016, 11:24:40 am
Steve
I just had work done on my wipers yesterday in Nac. Give FOT parts a call. They had my wiper part, a knurled nut $4.50.
Give them your build number.

HTH
Ed
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 06, 2016, 11:26:53 am
Steven,

Call these folks on Monday as there site don't list the pieces you need but are available. http://www.amequipment.com/    They have helped us out before.

Pamela & Mike

Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Jim Frerichs on February 06, 2016, 11:27:26 am
Hi Stephen,

I have been looking for these plastic wiper nut caps too. Foretravel does not sell them separately; you have to buy the whole wiper arm. No bargain there. You might try MOT.

Or look here:

Compare Prices on Wiper Arm Nut- Online Shopping/Buy Low Price Wiper Arm Nut... (http://www.aliexpress.com/price/wiper-arm-nut_price_3.html?spm=2114.40010508.2.16.H0Wbu9)

Jim
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Chuck Pearson on February 06, 2016, 11:58:29 am
I found chrome or stainless acorn nuts at the local hardware store that look good.  What I haven't been able to do is remove the wiper arm assembly from shaft.  Decided to quit while I was ahead.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Pamela & Mike on February 06, 2016, 12:57:48 pm
Chuck & Steven,

One of these is a must to get the arm off without destroying something. This one has the thin backing arms which is a must for this job. You can shop around for a better price but here is what you are looking for.
 Amazon.com: OTC 4676 Windshield Wiper Puller: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4676-Windshield-Wiper-Puller/dp/B000L7JQE8/ref=pd_sim_263_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=419bqFPwS6L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1HJ4ESH95MAJY3P95XZN) 

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: bbeane on February 06, 2016, 02:09:44 pm
Most any auto parts store will have a w/w arm puller. When I use one I leave the nut on the end of the wiper stud to keep the puller from damaging the threads.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Andy 2 on February 06, 2016, 06:45:57 pm
If the threads are still good and can separate them have it tig welded back on..
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Chuck Pearson on February 06, 2016, 07:03:27 pm
Chuck & Steven,
One of these is a must to get the arm off without destroying something. This one has the thin backing arms which is a must for this job. You can shop around for a better price but here is what you are looking for.
Pamela & Mike

Well how about that.  Had no idea there was a tool for the job and am really glad I didn't try using my flat bar to remove, probably have the dash out about now!  Thanks P&M.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: JohnFitz on February 06, 2016, 07:07:06 pm
I've bought some coach parts from TAC Transportation but they list everything by "bus make" which is not very useful for us Foretravel owners.  They do have photos of most of their parts and I have been able to recognize some.
I can't really tell if it's the same on your coach but this page has some Panagraph Idler Mounts that at least look similar:
http://commerce1.cera.net/tacbusparts/sections/catalog/catalog.asp?cat_id=127
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Dick & Sue on February 07, 2016, 11:14:32 am
Just replaced both wiper arms this week. The right arm was showing signs of wear at the shaft to the tapered knurl. Both male & female knurls were worn.

Found them at National Bus Sales & LSG. INC. P.O. Box 6549, Marietta, Ga, 30065-0549
Buy Bus Parts Online from National Bus Parts | School Bus Parts, Trolley Bus... (http://www.nationalbusparts.com/)      800-282-7981
Part # 200483N  @ $47.25 each. (best price that we found).  UPS to our PO box in Marathon, Fl in 3 days.

Much better window wetting system then the original. Just a note, they know Buses, not RVs., so don't ask them if the arms will work on a Foretravel.  The arms are much beefier then the org.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Caflashbob on February 07, 2016, 12:03:16 pm
Just replaced both wiper arms this week. The right arm was showing signs of wear at the shaft to the tapered knurl. Both male & female knurls were worn.

Found them at National Bus Sales & LSG. INC. P.O. Box 6549, Marietta, Ga, 30065-0549
Buy Bus Parts Online from National Bus Parts | School Bus Parts, Trolley Bus... (http://www.nationalbusparts.com/)      800-282-7981
Part # 200483N  @ $47.25 each. (best price that we found).  UPS to our PO box in Marathon, Fl in 3 days.

Much better window wetting system then the original. Just a note, they know Buses, not RVs., so don't ask them if the arms will work on a Foretravel.  The arms are much beefier then the org.

Took your search to heart and ordered two of these.  Mine just look bad.  The wetting thing was of interest.  Hope they fit my 97
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: wolfe10 on February 07, 2016, 12:46:37 pm
If they just look bad, remove, light sand and spray with satin black.  Will look just like new.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Dick & Sue on February 07, 2016, 01:29:26 pm
Ours also looked bad and I was planning on painting them when got home this spring. Except the driver side arm had a bow in the arm and the passenger side knurl was worn and would over shoot it's travel.  The acorn nut on the pass side also had some bad threads.
Tomorrow I will order replacements from http://commerce1.cera.net/tacbusparts/sections/catalog/catalog.asp?cat_id=127
They are brass 3/8 x 24 nuts.
I had replaced the both sides with chrome nuts a few years ago, but they rusted to the shaft threads, not a good thing. Besides they got really rusty on the outside.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on February 07, 2016, 03:13:02 pm
I had replaced the both sides with chrome nuts a few years ago, but they rusted to the shaft threads, not a good thing. Besides they got really rusty on the outside. 
It's a 'dissimilar metals' deal; I'm surprised all our coaches don't come with small 'dielectric couplings' to beat the electrical conductivilty lag that happens.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Bob & Sue on February 07, 2016, 03:30:07 pm
I've bought some coach parts from TAC Transportation but they list everything by "bus make" which is not very useful for us Foretravel owners.  They do have photos of most of their parts and I have been able to recognize some.
I can't really tell if it's the same on your coach but this page has some Panagraph Idler Mounts that at least look similar:
http://commerce1.cera.net/tacbusparts/sections/catalog/catalog.asp?cat_id=127


 We used these guys and they had the specialty parts that we needed. They didn't send everything that we ordered the first time so we had to re order a part, but everything worked great.
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: Caflashbob on February 13, 2016, 01:10:35 pm
Took your search to heart and ordered two of these.  Mine just look bad.  The wetting thing was of interest.  Hope they fit my 97

Got mine in and it's the same brand as the originals but greatly improved.  19 years later.  Spray hose is enclosed in the arm better and the four sprayers is neat.

My originals were rusty junk looking and missing the protective caps that went over the top pivoting pins exposing them to the weather and they rusted.

Now I want to replace the base and its mounting bolts.  The bases do not show the bolts that hold it to the body.  Is that part of tge motor?
If I remove the two body mounting bolts does the motor fall off the other side?  Is it accessible if it does?

Anyone know what size the mounting knurled parts are?  Two different ones show. 

Trying to restore my badly deserted outside of the coach. 

Thanks for the link on the wipers and the bases.

My old arms seemed to skip over the glass during rain.  Bet the spring was tired.  I see they sell replacement/helper  springs for tired  ones. 
Title: Re: Broken wiper arm post
Post by: John Haygarth on February 13, 2016, 03:09:31 pm
The wiper pivot bolts shown in post are another thing that should/must be looked at each year and lubed to keep them in working shape. Originals will worrk/look fine if you just give them some care.
JohnH