Not sure if this is waht you are discussing but here is a shot of the
"front" (facing up, toward driver)
side of a spare I have laying around.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/syncronaut/4259735481/sizes/l/
You can see the spring-loaded feature that controls the movement you discuss
in your email.
bob

On Sat, Jan 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM, Tim King-syncrowesty
<syncrowesty@gmail.com>wrote:

> Hi Folks --
>
> My wiper/washer switch/stalk kind of "exploded" when I was testing the
> "pull-back to spray" function (in the dark) because the unit wasn't
> attached to the steering shaft at the time. Tip: Don't do this!
>
> So, for those who have looked in between the two layers of the arm
> where it rings the steering wheel shaft I have some questions: After
> the explosion, I picked up and reinstalled the two horseshoe pieces of
> metal that look like they run on tracks to control wiper speed (and
> on/off). The unit now works intermittently (I have to jiggle it and it
> sort of stays on). Is there supposed to be a little spring or
> something else to hold the horseshoe things in place? They don't seem
> to be making solid contact and I'm wondering if I lost a part along
> the way.
>
> Nothing in Etka or Bentley of help. Worse case is that I go grab one
> from the wreckers, but I'd rather avoid the trip and the expense if
> someone has experience or has one handy (or if you have one in Seattle
> I can come look at ;-)
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> (ps -- been offline for a long time. A combo of the van running
> perfectly and me riding my bike everywhere. But it's ski season and I
> gotta drive (and gotta have working wipers!) for that).
> --
> Tim King
> Seattle WA
> 87 Syncro Westy/ Suby 2.5
>