Single Blade Wiper Conversion

[MICAH1]

Anyone here ever converted the GT wipers to a single wiper system?? I have googled this and found a bunch of conversion kits accross the pond but not so much here. I recall a GT with a single wiper system in a publication somewhere.

[SpringGT]

The early 90's Mercedes 190E's have a very nice single-wiper system that you might look at to adapt to your GT. They have a built-in mechanism that pulls the wiper down as it approaches the top of the windshield so that it won't go off the top. It provides full coverage of the whole windshield and really works smoothly at all speeds.
Bob

[hrcollinsjr]

I believe one of the early Isuzu Impulses used a single wiper also. I spoke with the owner of a single wiper car (whatever it was) and he didn't like the fact that the blade only seemed to last half as long. Duh!

Harold

[g.rosen]

Having owned a Citroen with single wiper, I can add that the blade was much longer than with two blades, so it cost twice as much to renew.
Gunnar

[MICAH1]

Found this on ebay but plan to check the local auto salvage yard for size and compatibility. It is from a Mercedes-Benz 1998 C280.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by MICAH1 Found this on ebay but plan to check the local auto salvage yard for size and compatibility. It is from a Mercedes-Benz 1998 C280.

Nice unit, but first thing to remember about used/salvage electrical parts is to ALWAYS make sure you get any electrical connector plug(s) with pigtails when you buy part . . . bitch to find afterward and dealers hardly ever have or can even get them! . . . personal experience talking here!

[MICAH1]

Hey Otto,
Good point, but I only used ebay this time as a reference. If I find the part at the salvage yard I had planned to pull the connector and as much of the wiring harness as possible. That said, have you seen or know of this mod on a GT?

The original factory setup has had one to many meet and greets during rainstorms if you know what I mean.

[neuropel]

The VW Scirocco is another make that had the single wiper system. I had one back in the 80s and didn't care much for it. I always felt speed was an issue in heavy rain, plus the extra wear and tear in winter was tough on it. I guess the look is cool, but GTs already have a unique wiper system for the sake of novelty.

Todd

[MICAH1]

Todd,
Looking cool has not a thing to do with it!!! I am talking safety. Driving in heavy rain and having the two wiper blades shake and hold hands in the middle of my window was like walking in a room with bright lights and then have the switch turned off. You see none thing, and pray the next sound is not Gabriel's trumpet introducing you to GOD!!!! I have repaired what I have now as much as I can. TIME TO UPDATE !!!!

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by MICAH1 Todd, Looking cool has not a thing to do with it!!! I am talking safety. Driving in heavy rain and having the two wiper blades shake and hold hands in the middle of my window was like walking in a room with bright lights and then have the switch turned off. You see none thing, and pray the next sound is not Gabriel's trumpet introducing you to GOD!!!! I have repaired what I have now as much as I can. TIME TO UPDATE !!!!

You drive your GT in the rain? Shame on you Do you have rain tires for it too. Several coats of RainX eliminates the need to use the wipers nearly as much and makes the blades last almost twice as long. I think converting to a single wipe would be major surgery and not just a bolt on operation. If the GT blades are set the proper distance apart they will not get tangled up. Of course I guess if you do not use the proper size of blades it could happen.

[MICAH1]

Originally Posted by opelnut10 If the GT blades are set the proper distance apart they will not get tangled up. Of course I guess if you do not use the proper size of blades it could happen.

At this point, the post where the blade assembly mounts is my problem. Both sides are nearly smooth and no matter how tight the nut is, both sides creep from the resistant of the blades moving in and out. Of course after a few cycles, they what else........... KISS!!! GABRIEL, PLAY THAT HORN!!!

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by opelnut10 Several coats of RainX eliminates the need to use the wipers nearly as much and makes the blades last almost twice as long.

I have to add my $.02 worth here, I was using "RainX" when just the Military had it in funky green bottles. A friend/co-worker was reservist at Dobbins AFB and introduced me to it, as well as kept me supplied in it. (Sorry Ron, you can sic the M.P.'s on me later) But, when you put tha stuff on a GT windshield, there was enough rake to it that when you hit about 45mph, water just ran off the windshield like running off the back of a duck. As long as you were running at speed, especially on the Hwy, you didn't need your wipers. I don't know how well it works on the Manta/Ascona, as I use triple edge wipers on mine.

[neuropel]

Originally Posted by MICAH1 Todd, Looking cool has not a thing to do with it!!! I am talking safety. Driving in heavy rain and having the two wiper blades shake and hold hands in the middle of my window was like walking in a room with bright lights and then have the switch turned off. You see none thing, and pray the next sound is not Gabriel's trumpet introducing you to GOD!!!! I have repaired what I have now as much as I can. TIME TO UPDATE !!!!

My mistake - I thought part of the motivation was just to get something different. Still, I think it'd be far easier to rebuild your GT setup with some newer parts than to try to convert over to single wiper.

These guys are right about the Rain-X. This past May going to Carlisle I was riding with Tom Cavataio when the wipers went out on his GT. Luckily another Opeler in our caravan (John of RT 66 fame!) had some Rain-X. As luck would have it, the rain stopped pretty much as soon as we applied the Rain-X (we were joking how it REALLY worked!), but even so it was very obvious that the rake of the GT windshield allowed the water to just sheet off.

The only BAD thing about Rain-X is when it's needing to be applied again - I feel like it actually hurts visibility - but as long as you keep it applied on the windshield it's hard to beat!

Todd

[Paul]

I've been using Rain-X since it came out in the little yellow bottles. I can't believe everyone DOESN"T use it. I keep it on all of my cars and therefore we hardly ever have to use the wipers... I change the blades once per year...

Anyway, I've never had any issues with visibilty wet or dry... However, there is a trick to applying it to prevent that foggy. just applied look....

... Clean widshield, Apply as directed... buff with paper towel as directed, then reclean windshield by applying light mist of glass cleaner and wipe dry and finish by buffing with dry spot of towel...

[MICAH1]

Originally Posted by Paul I've been using Rain-X since it came out in the little yellow bottles. I can't believe everyone DOESN"T use it. I keep in on all of my cars and therefore we hardly ever have to use the wipers... I change the blades once per year......

Hey slow down guys..... I love the RainX product, I even use the anti-fog sister product!!!

I am just sharing my rain stories to justify thoughts to modify my wipers. I too applied rainX to the glass for my trips to Carlisle last year and this year.

Now back to my conversion, what I have now, was abused by the previous owner of the GT. I don't think the bolts that hold down the wiper arms can be repaired (I have tried) ..... thus the reason I am leaning towards single wiper conversion. I love MY OPEL GT and I cannot predict when a rain cloud will cross my path or lane for that matter when I elect to take to the highways for a spin.

[BQS4]

Thomas;
I too have had the same experience you had about the wiper arms getting tangled up. I'm not saying it's not possible to fab/mod/bolt something on, but, the one main problem you have to deal with is the extreme curvature of the GT winshield. I know that cars like the McLaren F1 and such have real curved windshields, and they have one or two wipers, but, before you jump into it, do a LOT of research. I wish you luck and I hope you can get something worked out.

[mschmalenberg]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think the ribs on the wiper posts may be full of metal from the wiper arms, the posts I believe are hard and the wiper arm are just pot metal, and the if the arms slip thy fill the grooves on the posts with metal. I had to use a scratch-awl to clean the ones on my GT.

[MICAH1]

Thanks Gene,
And to all who have expressed their pros and cons on the topic. That is why I am on this site nearly 24/7, to read and listen to the word of you guys .... and gals (Vicki and others) who have such a wealth of OPEL Data to share on the internet. I have not decided where I want to go with this, but just want an option if I learn of the mod from one of the European clubs.

[MICAH1]

Mike you are right, however like I stated above, the previous owner(s) has the wiper post somewhat worn down. Not a lot of traction.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by g.rosen Having owned a Citroen with single wiper, I can add that the blade was much longer than with two blades, so it cost twice as much to renew. Gunnar

True, Gunnar, but last time I checked, 2 blades x 1/2 'single-wiper price' = 1 blade x 'single-wiper price' . . .

[SpringGT]

Originally Posted by MICAH1 Found this on ebay but plan to check the local auto salvage yard for size and compatibility. It is from a Mercedes-Benz 1998 C280.

Thomas, The unit in your e-bay picture is the one that I was referring to earlier in this thread. It will clean your windshield well, even at high speed. If you try it, get the switch and stalk off of the old car's steering column. The stalk twists for different wiper speeds and delay and pushes in on the end for the washers. It also serves as the turn indicator switch.
Bob
PS I'm a long-time Rainex user too. Good stuff.

[MICAH1]

Thanks SpringGT(Bob)....................

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by MICAH1 Hey Otto, Good point, but I only used ebay this time as a reference. If I find the part at the salvage yard I had planned to pull the connector and as much of the wiring harness as possible. That said, have you seen or know of this mod on a GT? The original factory setup has had one to many meet and greets during rainstorms if you know what I mean.

No, not personally or heard of for that matter, but I've been wanting to try it for a long time now . . . could not find a unit when I first wanted to try it and then it was off my radar for the last number of years. Too many other projects unfinished for lack of parts or priority . . . I digress.

[MICAH1]

Well, made a visit, and paid my respects to all the former asphalt warriors at the local salvage yard, but could not find any Mercedes with the single wiper units. I did run across two XJ 6 Jags with the system, but 100 degree heat on metal ........... well lets just say, another day and time.