Bizarre Windshield Wiper Incident

[Bill Hunt]

Newmar customer service “never heard of that before” is the standard reply to anything you tell them...

[Busskipper]

This PDF may help - https://ecommerce.cadel.ca/img/media/WEXCO_2012.pdf

Page 17 shows the taper nut and washer - it's an Acorn Nut - so tightening will be limited to depth of threads right?

Didn't read the entire PDF but should help with the understanding if you need to Know.

Good Luck,

[JC2]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Newmar customer service “never heard of that before” is the standard reply to anything you tell them...

I believe this is a standard reply for the rv industry as a whole.

[32sunsation]

I haven't had the wiper arm come off, but I had the jam nuts to loosen on the transmission that goes through the fiberglass and the wiper arm swung down, off the glass. Both times this happened during a downpour. If it happens again, I think some thread lock will be in order. Anyone experienced this?

[Lug_Nut]

Originally Posted by 32sunsation

I haven't had the wiper arm come off, but I had the jam nuts to loosen on the transmission that goes through the fiberglass and the wiper arm swung down, off the glass. Both times this happened during a downpour. If it happens again, I think some thread lock will be in order. Anyone experienced this?

I had that exactly happen on my '07 Essex. It was the driver side in heavy wet snow. I was on a narrow road with no where to pull over. Had to hang out the window to see to drive. Not fun!

I then used my "Torque The Living Stuff" out of it and it didn't dare move after that. I did end up having the entire wiper system replaced to the newer type at Newmar in Napanee. It required new holes even with body work to fill the old holes. It cost about $1600. They worked flawless after that.
I don't think thread lock would work well as you would have an issue if, or when, it comes loose again.

The "Torque The Living [Mod Edit]" out of it works well and reduces stress!

[Buly]

70 foot pounds seems crazy? I had to torque 3/4” bolts to 30 ft pounds and it was lots of force. I’m afraid you can twist off or brake something?

[VALou]

Originally Posted by Buly

70 foot pounds seems crazy? I had to torque 3/4” bolts to 30 ft pounds and it was lots of force. I’m afraid you can twist off or brake something?

Yes, agree. 70 ft/lbs is way too much. Believe the 33-37, thought that still sounds like a lot.

[Road Pilot]

I had it happen to me on our 2007 Essex when it was 2-3 days old in a heavy rain storm on I-81. Not only heavy rain but also heavy fog.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Newmar customer service “never heard of that before” is the standard reply to anything you tell them...

That's the first lesson in Phone Support 101. Doesn't matter who you're calling or what the product or service is, even if they've gotten 298 identical complaints before yours.

[Polyian]

Originally Posted by wishalls

I had the driver side wiper do the same thing in July. Newmar sent me a new wiper arm and the drive (spline) assemble. Both under warranty. 26.5 ft/lbs torque.

This torque seems realistic for a 1/2" nut. I have read many threads suggesting 65 ft lbs. I can say from recent experience when my wiper arm was slipping. I tightened as hard as I could with a wrench to get me to my destination, then I took our my torque wrench after reading several threads saying it should be 65 ft lbs. I can tell you that 65 ft lbs will snap the shaft. I have a new shaft and arm coming from Newmar and their suggested torque is 25-30 Ft Lbs.


Perhaps the torque is 65 on diesel pushers but it's way too high on the F53 models. I will use your 26.5 ft lbs on my new assembly. I wish I had found your post earlier.

[NITEHAWK]

One of the things I taught the grasshoppers that worked for me was regarding tightening bolts: "After too tight comes too loose."

[Polyian]

Originally Posted by NITEHAWK

One of the things I taught the grasshoppers that worked for me was regarding tightening bolts: "After too tight comes too loose."

Agreed…. Unfortunately Grasshoppers believe repeated posts saying 65 lbs torque even when instinctively they know better. The lesson this shade tree learned was to question info on forums and rely on the manufacturer coach specific info.

[UMXHAULER]

I think if Newmar knew the correct torque, they would get it right in the first place. 65 ft lb. is not excessive for a 1/2" nut/bolt but I am not sure about the thread strength of the wiper shaft. Mine tolerated 65 lb w/o issue. Because the wiper arm material is softer, it requires several retorques after install for it to seat properly. Should be part of the PDI.

[Dutch Star Don]

Yes, 65lbs is the torque for the DP's. I doubt the gassers are using the same assembly and probably have a different torque setting. Even more important on the DP's is to do the tightening over a 2-3 day period. The soft metal needs time to seat. I torqued mine to 60lbs, came out the next day, got some movement and torqued to 65 lbs. The third day, I torqued it again to 65 lbs. Even then I got a little movement.