Re: [Amc-list] Awesome wiper action ('cept for hills)

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Bruce,

Once you get the vacuum booster hooked up, the wipers will work much 
better on hills (they barley slow at all on both of my cars). They will 
also operate slower at idle since the pump helps to regulate vacuum as well.

On your brakes, if the drums were not grooved, they are probably not why 
your car pulls. First thing I'd check is that the wheel bearings are 
properly tightened and then check brake adjustment (concentrate on the 
right brake). It could also be caused by worn out steering parts but 
that will typically make the car wander when driving as well. Since you 
had the brakes apart, it may also be a good idea to double check that 
they are assembled properly.

Here is how I do the wheel bearings when the shop manuals don't list an 
end play specification:
* Back the shoe adjustment off so they don't drag
* Remove the cotter pin and retainer, back the nut off, and finger tighten.
* Spin the drum and slowly tighten the nut until it starts to drag.
* Back the nut off.
* Finger tighten the nut.
* Replace the cotter pin (use a new one, they are single use items). If 
the hole in the spindle does not line up, back the nut off until it 
does. If you have to back it off a lot (close to a notch on the 
retainer), you need to replace the wheel bearings and races.

To adjust the brakes, you can either measure the drum and adjust the 
shoes to fit or you can manually adjust them until there is a slight 
drag. In either case, this is the initial adjustment. Once you've 
completed the initial adjustment, go to an empty parking lot and get the 
car moving a few miles an hour in reverse. Push on the brake pedal 
firmly and don't let up until the car stops. You may hear some clicking 
and popping the first few stops. This is just the adjuster mechanisms 
working and is normal. You will need to do this 10-20 times to get 
everything adjusted properly. When the brakes are properly adjusted, the 
pedal should only have about an inch of free play in it and it will be 
very firm when you push on it.

Matt

On 3/29/2008 7:01 PM, Bruce Griffis spouted this sage advice:
> Decided to take the American to the grocery store today after working
> on my wife's Toy Pielander (Maguir's 3 step stuff with an electric
> polisher. Took forever, looks pretty good - not as good as using a
> buffer, but pretty good. Did each step individually with the cheap
> polisher).
> 
> So, Toy Pielander is all nice and shiny. Time to hit the grocery
> store. Still pulling to the left, but also kind of a wobble under
> heavy brakes. I didn't resurface to the front drums - so that's become
> my priority! Resurface or replace (40 bucks to resurface each, 50ish
> to replace - think I'll replace).
> 
> A thunderstorm broke out, so we got to try out vacuum wipers without
> the booster. Just straight from the intake manifold to the vacuum
> wipers. How'd it work? Well, no wipers going up hills. No wipers while
> accelerating. Cool wipers coming down the hill. Awesome wiping action
> when letting off the accelerator and coasting.
> 
> Think I need to address that! Frank, I'll be reading your magazine
> with close attention. It might rain again some day.
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> 
> 

-- 
mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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