I just bought a 86 Samurai and the windshield wipers are not working.  What are some of the common problems so I'm not chasing my tail?  Also, when I have the clutch engaged, the clutch sounds fine, but when let out, it whines a little.  It has a new clutch cable in it.  Would this be just an adjustment?

  The whining sound is most likely your pilot bearing or the throw out bearing (lol can't remember which one right now) anyway in my experience both are kinda common for noise but if it gets louder though I would think about replacing both of them, mine has done that even after replacing both bearings, also if the clutch engages and disengages where it needs to and is comfortable for you to use it than I personally would not change it.

  Does your wiper motor make any noise at all, does it feel like it is trying to move (put hand on outside of the wiper motor when switch is set to constant on) if it makes no sound or vibration than see if it is still hooked up if it is check fuses if they are good run a 12V test light to wiper motor wires see if you get anything if not than possible bad switch or break in wires if you do get power there than possible bad motor, if all that is good than the wiper transmission inside the windshield frame may be to blame (while wheeling once a bunch of snow fell onto my windshield and I tried to clear it with my wipers but it was to heavy so all that happened was the tranny popped apart popped it back together and has been fine ever since) but check the other things first. let us all know what exactly you check and the result so if you need more help we can point you the right ways. good luck

I can't hear the motor for the wipers trying to go at all.  I seriously bought it a week and a half ago and after I drove it down the street and back, I told the guy that the wipers didn't work.  He was surprised because he used them to remove snow two hours earlier.  I'll look at it today. 

Where are these bearings located?  I haven't messed with clutches before but I have a feeling that I'm about to.  Is it bad that they or one of them is whining or should I just live with it until something breaks and then fix it?

Thanks for your detailed post doughboy0379.  I really appreciate it.

Usually the thowout bearings make noise when the pedal is up and pilot bearings make noise with pedal down. Replace them all since you  need to pull the tranny or engine.

Did you check fuses on your wipers?

Your welcome and I agree with tipover if you do decide to replace one of the bearings do both sounds like it may be a good idea to just do a whole clutch change most kits that you can get at auto parts stores come with them both anyway to get to it you will have to remove the starter and the whole transmission it is not really that hard I would say if you don't have help close by and you do want to do it than go buy a repair manual. 

Well I found out what was wrong with the wipers.  THEY SUCK!!!  Actually the control arms in the windshield frame were stuck really bad!  What pieces!  Is there any aftermarket controls for the wipers?  The wiper motor can barely move them even after I lubed the heck out of them.  It looks like I'll be getting a repair manual for the Zuk to do the clutch.  Thanks for your alls help with everything.  It made life a little easier this week.  One last thing before I sign off tonight.  I have a SPOA lift, 3 1/2 in. I think.  My tires are toed in.  Is that due to the lift or can that be corrected with an alignment?  The reason I ask is that it needs new tires and I don't want them to look like the ones that are on there now...worn on the outside.  Btw, 29 or 30 in. tires?  I don't think any gearing has been done on the axles or t-case.

Well in my opinion the wipers dont suck... Did you tear the linkage out of the windshield fixture to see if that can be a problem maybe rust or lack of lbe in there?

On a solid axles, lifting them usually don't change the toe, but a big change in caster angle can a little.  Tires wont change the toe at all.  You can easily do it your self. heres what I do.  I ensure that I have no play in the front end:wheel bearings, ball joints and king pin bearings.   if thats good. put the front axle on jack stands level with tires off floor.  take a big block about a half an inch away from the tire and take and awl or sharp pin and hold it tight to the block and touch the tip on the tire and spin the tire. Now you have a line arround the tire to measure from. repeat on other side.  take jack stands out and put car on ground.  Measure on front of tires from line to line and repeat in back.  the difference is the tow in or out.  I like about an eighth inch tow in.

I don't think the wipers suck either mine have powered through some very heavy wet snow and even powered out of ice more then once (not that I recommend doing it to often but they can do it).

I guess I need to take the linkage out and diagnose the problem then.  It actually took two guys to rotate the linkage to break it loose and we used a ton of spray lube just to get them to work a little.  The wiper arms didn't want to come off and I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.  I'll wait till spring to tear into it again.  Thanks for the info on the suspension linkages though.  I'll have to try that out a little later too.