1957 wipers dont work

[60eldo]

    This is new to me.  Does the system work on vacumn?  I started the car push leaver forward and the wipers moved about 3 inches then stopped. Any help on how this system works and what I can do to fix would be great

[Walter Youshock]

Yes, they're vacuum.

[Seville1957]

Hey 60Eldo,

I will echo what other guys told me when I got my 57, get the shop manual! There is a great deal of info on how to service the car!

[60eldo]

  I have it, when did this system come in, how many years did they use it,,, is it a good system

[tturley]

They make conversions to electric.

[60eldo]

  Who,,,,,,,,,,,,,are they

[TJ Hopland]

This seems to be the origin of what many vendors sell.

https://www.newportwipers.com/

[gary griffin]

Lots of variables. How long since the wipers worked? Did you try them with a wet windshield or a dry one? Are there any leaks in the vacuum lines. Have you tried lubricating the motor?  A little light machine oil can do a lot if lack of lubrication is the problem. Vacuum wipers worked for many years and the Cadillac has a vacuum pump built into the system to supplement the vacuum system. I remember our 1950 Chevrolet when I was a kid, come to a hill and the wipers stopped. Will you be driving in the rain often? I live in rainy Seattle but do not use wipers on my collector cars very often.
Good luck!

[wbdeford]

There is a vacuum pump inside the oil pan, driven by the oil pump, which supplies vacuum to operate the wipers when engine vacuum is low.  It is VERY common for the vacuum pump to break.

[willits]

As already mentioned I would first check you have good vacuum at the motor and lubricate the motor & linkage.   If the vacuum is not good, read this post: http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=108350.0 It is very comprehensive. 

If vacuum is good it could be motor or the linkage cables being too tight and the wipers binding.   

The windshield arm posts need to be tapped inwards to release the tensioners and reset the cable tension.   The manual says to take the arms off and tap the posts, but I have done it successfully by pulling the wiper arms off the cams, and rotating them 180° so the blades are pointing away from the windshield, and then firmly tapping the posts with arm installed. 

Peter

[V63]

Vacuum wipers are absolutely pathetic! 

No comparison to electric. The worlds best salesman must have been behind marketing ths idea to the manufactures. I wouldn't stress or invest too much into getting satisfaction out of them. Cadillac clung to this idea until 1958.

I would suggest  Rainx, as a help.

The after thought of vacuum to electric conversions are some better, but not that great either. 

[60eldo]

 I dont really drive in the rain ever. Just thought in case I get caught. But I could just pull over.

[Glen]

Vacuum wipers are absolutely pathetic! 

Vacuum wipers work very well if they are kept in good condition.  One of the least understood parts is explained in this thread http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=108350.0
Also the vacuum pumps are frequently not working. 

[Jon S]

Vacuum wipers work very well if they are kept in good condition.

Totally agree!  I have not had the privilege of using mine for years, but when I test them, they work just fine.  Then again, the car has not been in the rain in the past 40 years.

[m-mman]

The entire auto industry moved between vacuum and electric wipers for DECADES!

My 1929 has electric but by 1930 or 31 they returned to vacuum BUT then the wipers slide sideways across the windshield and not in an arc.

Vacuum was cheap to produce and install and it did work effectively WHEN NEW and in good repair. The problem is that it doesn't tolerate small failures. Cracked vacuum hoses (it doesn't take much of a leak to stop them and the broken hose could be anywhere on the car), poorly tuned engines (which don't put out much vacuum) worn engines (which take more throttle opening) and lack of lubrication anywhere in the system. Lubricating the wiper motor is not listed as a regular maintenance item BUT it still needs to be done especially after 50-60 years.

Vacuum wiper problems are similar to problems with 6 volt vs 12 volt. 6 volt systems do work BUT everything has to be clean, well grounded, use the proper sized cables (Very Large) and the correct amp hour battery. A old VW battery wont work.

I have had many completely inoperative vacuum wiper systems recover after removing the motor spraying a lube inside (WD40) which softens and seals the LEATHER parts inside (yeah there is leather in there) Then connecting the removed motor to a running engine and letting them cycle and limber up and finally dismantling, cleaning and lubing ALL the wiper transmission mechanisms.
A replacement electric motor might be able to overcome an old dry wiper system but a vacuum motor will not.

As an FYI there was one other power used on wiper systems. In 1961 to 1969 Lincoln used hydraulic pressure from the power steering system. Wow, nothing could stop them! They could move snow drifts off the windshield as easily as a plow, BUT there was always the problem with leaks . . . Mostly hoses.

[wbdeford]

To test the vacuum pump, disconnect the hose from the pipe coming up at right rear side of the engine.  With the engine running, feel the end of the pipe.  On mine I can barely feel anything, so I know it is bad.  If you do feel some suction, attach a vacuum gauge and rev the engine to 3600 rpm.  If you don't get 20" or more of vacuum, the vacuum pump needs to be repaired or replaced.

The most pathetic thing about the wipers is not that they are vacuum--with all parts in good condition, they work just fine, as others have said.  Rather, it is how little of the windshield they actually cover.

The last time my car got seriously rained on was in 2001.  I was driving on an interstate when a thunderstorm sent a downpour.  I didn't even need wipers, because RainX was doing such a great job of getting rid of the water.  Where you could have a problem, though, is with condensation.  If you pull out of a garage on a cool, humid morning, and the windshield starts to fog up, RainX may not be of much help and you might have to stop and wait until it is warm enough for the defroster to keep the windshield clear.

[60eldo]

   Im gonna try some of these things,,,thanks guys I will keep u informed

[V63]

Vacuum wipers are great on sunny dry days.

I reserve the right to be disappointed with vacuum wipers all other times...

Rainx is great AND there is also a product made to keep your glass from fogging!