The Classic Mini’s relatively basic windscreen wiper and washer system was designed in an era when wipers were a single-speed afterthought rather than a safety-critical system. On the original cars the wiper sweep is short, the blades are narrow and the washer reservoir is small, which means keeping every component in the system in good order is the difference between a usable wet-weather car and one that is genuinely unsafe in heavy rain. Wipers and washers are also one of the most cost-effective places to upgrade, a fresh wiper motor, new arms, new blades and a working washer pump together transform the car’s wet-weather usability for very little outlay.
Wiper Motors
The wiper motor is available new and as a reconditioned exchange unit. Internal components are listed separately for owners rebuilding their own motor, including the gear and link assembly, self-park switch, carbon brush set and the rubber pad and bracket that mount the motor to the bulkhead. Wiper motor covers in left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive specifications were introduced from the early 1980s and protect the motor from engine bay heat and contamination. The Lucas DR2, DR3 and DR3A wiper motor types fitted across production each take their own mounting kit, with three kits typically required to renew the full motor mounting on the bulkhead.
Wiper Drive Rack and Wheel Boxes
The Mini’s wiper system uses a flexible rack drive running from the motor to two wheel boxes, one for each wiper spindle. The rack assembly comes with the entry ferrule, and the rack tube kit is supplied with the motor attachment nut and is cut to length on fitting. The wiper wheel box assembly is the gearbox at each spindle that converts the rack’s linear motion into the wiper arm’s sweeping motion. The Mk3 saloon and Clubman wheel box assembly is a frequent service item, as wear in the box bushes causes the arms to slow, stop or sweep unevenly.
Bush kits are available to refresh wheel boxes that are otherwise sound.
Wiper Arms and Blades
Wiper arms are sized to take either 10-inch blades (used on early cars) or 11-inch blades (used on later cars), and are produced in stainless steel and black finishes. Right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive specific arms differ to give the correct sweep pattern. Three blade-fitting types are available: bayonet fitting (the original specification used on most cars), hook fitting (used on some later cars), and universal fitting (a modern aftermarket option). The 11-inch black blade for the late MPi cars is supplied as standard for cars built from 1996 onwards.
Washer Pumps and Bottles
The original electric washer pump (mounted on the bottle) was used on cars from 1975 through to 1983, with later wired and unwired pump types covering 1983 to 1993 and 1993-on respectively. Washer bottles changed three times across production: the original D-shape bottle was the standard fitment, with a rectangular bottle and pouch used on some 1975 to 1983 export models. The bottle moved from the engine bay to the rear wheel arch in 1992 to suit the brake servo and later cooling system installations, and the engine-bay bottle itself changed in 1988 when the brake servo was fitted. Caps, foot valves, brackets and grommets are available individually.
Washer Jets, Tubes and Tee Pieces
Original-type washer jets in black and Nimbus Grey plastic with brass nozzles cover the standard production fitment. Washer tube is supplied per metre in 4mm and 3mm diameters to suit standard and accessory jets, with tee pieces in 4mm/4mm and 4mm/3mm to connect the bottle and pump to either jet type. The non-return valve fitted from 1992 onwards prevents the washer fluid draining back to the bottle when the system is at rest.
Wiper Hole Plugs and Mudflaps
Stainless steel front scuttle wiper hole plugs blank off unused wiper spindle holes when the car is converted to single-wiper specification or refitted with a different scuttle pressing. Mudflaps in front and rear sets, including a Cooper-specific rear mudflap set, protect the bodywork from stone chips and road grit thrown up by the wheels, a worthwhile addition for any Mini used regularly through winter.