How to: Replace rear wiper blade

[diogenes]

First, obtain a Trico 12A wiper arm -- this one is an exact replacement for the rear wiper blade on the 2006 Mazda5 (and I think all the rest, too). (UPDATE -- Many users report that the 12A blade doesn't curve to fit the window, leaving half of it unwiped. So either use a Mazda blade or slip the wiper insert out of the Trico 12A and put it in the Mazda blade, after you remove it (see below.))

Second, pull out the sides of the plastic guard over the base of the wiper arm (the axle, if you will) then lift it up and away from the wiper arm to remove.

This should allow you to lift the wiper arm up and away from the glass. There will be some resistance, then it will get past a detent and lift further away from the glass.

Then bend back the wiper blade and pop it off the axle that holds it. There are pictures in the directions for the Trico 12A.

Snap on the new wiper blade.

Fold the wiper arm back down to the glass.

Replace the plastic cover at the base of the wiper arm by fitting it over the axle and squeezing in the sides until they click in place.

Done.

[intewedm]

Instead of buying an expensive blade assembly, I bought a single 22" refill for $3.49 and cut the length I needed and installed it. That gives me TWO refills for that price! You have to be sure to get the same type of refill that is the same width. It has a separate wire down each side, so I slide the rubber in first and then inserted each wire separately. Slick as snot and cheap!(drinks)

[mothernature]

Instead of buying an expensive blade assembly, I bought a single 22" refill for $3.49 and cut the length I needed and installed it. That gives me TWO refills for that price! You have to be sure to get the same type of refill that is the same width. It has a separate wire down each side, so I slide the rubber in first and then inserted each wire separately. Slick as snot and cheap!(drinks)


When people post these help how-tos, it might help to post pics along with it.

A pic tells a thousand tales as they say

[Grugster]

I recently replaced my rear wiper blade arm and found that while the new one fit, because of the design, when the wiper is at the 12 o'clock position, the upper third of the blade doesn't contact the glass.

I've discovered that the smaller bow that holds the center of the blade interferes with the clip that holds the new arm and blade. I'm going to try to cut out a channel in the new arm to accommodate this, which I know will fix it, but does anyone know if you HAVE to replace the arm with an OEM?

[dfskinner]

grugster, same here, it's not wrapping around the curve of the window, which is causing it to not clean the very top of the rear window..... let me know how your mod goes..... take some pic's if it goes well..... I've messed around with the arm also, I'm not sure why it's not working the way the OEM worked.......

[cancoi]

I would be interested in how anyone addressed the 1/2-glass cleaning. This is driving me nuts!

[monsta]

Post #2 answers it. Just replace the blade and not the entire plastic piece. Replacement blades are much cheaper!

[timpaniman]

I just replaced my rear wiper too, and I'm getting that same problem of the upper half not working properly.

Unfortunately, I no longer have the original part because I broke it trying to get it off, so I don't have the option of just replacing the rubber piece.

Believe me, I was tempted to just replace the blade, after struggling for about 20 minutes trying to get the darned arm to lift off of the glass. Why is every little thing so darned hard with this car? Have you ever tried to replace any of the light bulbs?

But anyway, I finally did force the old wiper off and broke it. So now how do I fix it?

[thugus]

I am so glad there is a forum to cover this issue, since the Mazda5 user manual skipped an important step: Taking off the plastic cover over the axle mentioned in diogenes's post. I was befuddled by my inability to raise the wiper arm without that step.

Attached below are pictures on how to remove the plastic cover. Simply pull apart slightly where the red arrows are, and the cover should come off. The rest matches the manual.

Have fun!

[cancoi]

Did that and it still does not contact the top 1/2 of the glass. Any other thoughts?

[SGT_OKINAWA]

cancoi,

A. Is your car used or new?

B. Provide any additional details like,

1. Accident car
2. where you live, is your car a north America, USA or Canada
3. Pictures of YOUR wiper blade and assembly, pictures are worth 1000 words.

C. Are you using the wrong blade?

D. Who else have you contacted concerning this issue?

Here is what I think:

1. Used M5, and previous owner bought a cheap ass blade or assembly and slapped it on there.

2. Now that it is cold that assembly will not move as well, i.e. rust, dirt or grime is stuck in the assembly (NOT THE BLADE)

3. Or you've changed blades only, and the assembly is shot from dirt etc.

Hope that helps, but you're going to have to help US help YOU. there are so many variables, it's hard to fix when you say... "Don't work, please fix."

Peace!(rei)

[Davebert]

Here is an video from the Trico web site on how to change the rear wiper blade.

http://www.tricoproducts.com/Trico2/replacement/installationvideos/videopopup.aspx?video=RocLock2_ExactFit.swf

[Phratt]

Here is a "doozie" for you all...

I bought a brand new 2009 Mazda5 GS (Canadian version) near Montreal.

That day it was raining. Went on the highway, the dirt got on the hatch window, put the wipers on, and the top section does not get wiped (top 2 lines of the defrost).

What can be done to fix this?

[Davebert]

Here is a "doozie" for you all...

I bought a brand new 2009 Mazda5 GS (Canadian version) near Montreal.

That day it was raining. Went on the highway, the dirt got on the hatch window, put the wipers on, and the top section does not get wiped (top 2 lines of the defrost).

What can be done to fix this?


The rear wiper on the M5 is essential because the hatch window accumulates water and dirt when driving instead of clearing it.
Check the wiper blade, it can also be the spring in the arm not applying enough pressure. But the car is new, shouldn't it be still under warranty?

PS: There are a few members that are from around the Montreal area including myself.

[Phratt]

Check the wiper blade, it can also be the spring in the arm not applying enough pressure. But the car is new, shouldn't it be still under warranty?


Hi,

I have spoken with the dealer - and they seem to be looking for an easy way out. They start by saying that ALL M5's do this, then say it's aerodynamics and end up saying that the wipers work and they have good spring pressure.

I'm going to another dealer for a "second opinion" (group)



PS: There are a few members that are from around the Montreal area including myself.

Cool!!! We have to get a group together one of these weekends to exchange on our M5's.... what do you think?

[switz]

Hello everyone,

My rear windshield wiper blade finally had the biscuit. It's two years and 72,000km old. The blade was torn from the outer end and it just wasn't doing a good job.

Thanks for the excellend description of how to get the cap of the base of the wiper so that you can extend it out enough to get it off. The video showed exactly what you need to do (even though it's for a Toyota Highlander - the Mazda 5 is the same). Thanks Davebert.

I spent $6 at Canadian Tire and got their exact replacement blade (12A). Yes it's a perfect fit, but the arm is not designed to flex as much as the original Mazda one and it didn't wipe the top of the window. So I took the rubber and the two metal strips out of the new arm, installed them in the old arm and it works fine :)

So after that, I now agree with intewedm. Just purchase a long rubber replacement blade, cut to length, and use with the original Mazda metal strips and arm and you are set.

I did it today in -10C. The cover for the base came off easily, I was able to extend the arm outward fully, the blade came off easily, and I installed the new blade in the house. Reverse order had it back on in 5 min. No one should panic about their rear wiper. It is as easy to replace as the front ones are once you know the process.

Watch the video!

[Davebert]

Hello everyone,

I spent $6 at Canadian Tire and got their exact replacement blade (12A). Yes it's a perfect fit, but the arm is not designed to flex as much as the original Mazda one and it didn't wipe the top of the window. So I took the rubber and the two metal strips out of the new arm, installed them in the old arm and it works fine :)


I did the same thing, the Canadian Tire replacement 12A wiper would not clean the top 2 inches of the rear glass. I try to bend the 12A plastic wiper body with a heat gun but ended up cracking it. So, I ended up putting the new blade in to the original wiper body. Next time I will just replace the blade.

[Kid5]

Sweeet thread.....My rear wiper needs to be replaced but wasnt sure how it came off...Good to know I can just get a replacement blade and not the whole thing. Thanks again

[twentysixtwo]

DO NOT BUY THE TRICO 12A!!!!! JUST REPLACE THE INSERT!!!!!

THIS NEEDS TO BE A STICKY!!!!

Sorry to yell but I'm really PO'd.

About 3 weeks ago I took a quick glance at this thread and read that the 12A is a perfect match. I took the rear wiper arm off and went to the local auto parts store - after comparing it to the 12A I trashed my blade there at the store. $15.

Of course after installation it wasn't working right. Since it's my wife's car she only mentioned in the past week that it's not wiping correctly.

Now I have to go to the Mazda dealership to get another OEM blade.

OP: PLEASE CHANGE YOUR FIRST POST TO WARN LATER READERS!

Thanks.

[sapacif]

Attached below are pictures on how to remove the plastic cover. Simply pull apart slightly where the red arrows are, and the cover should come off. The rest matches the manual.

Great pictures and very helpful.

[07MZ5SA]

Perhaps without rear spoiler, my rear wiper can never keep the rear window clean since day one. Good thing I don't rely on center mirror for rear vision.

I just bought a NAPA teflon wiper refill and cut to factory length without much problem. The only difference is the new insert is a bit loose. Factor metal inserts are the non-locking type (unlike front wipers'). The next time I'll cut the refill a bit longer to keep it from sliding.

Will report later on the performance of teflon refill.

[thuzil]

FYI. I just bought an OEM blade from Mazda for around $12 CAD.

[zootlander]

Thugus, very kind of you to post these photos, thanks!

[skyhawk]

I have this add-on that helps with rear vision when its too cold to even break the ice that engulfs the rear wiper blades. trimmed to suit that particular
location that is the least obstructed..

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=123691&d=1201269592

[Kid5]

I replaced mine, and I kept the original arm and it still doesnt get that area unless it wasnt the factory one that was on there...yeah well.

[jeff618]

DO NOT BUY THE TRICO 12A!!!!! JUST REPLACE THE INSERT!!!!!

THIS NEEDS TO BE A STICKY!!!!

Sorry to yell but I'm really PO'd.

About 3 weeks ago I took a quick glance at this thread and read that the 12A is a perfect match. I took the rear wiper arm off and went to the local auto parts store - after comparing it to the 12A I trashed my blade there at the store. $15.

Of course after installation it wasn't working right. Since it's my wife's car she only mentioned in the past week that it's not wiping correctly.

Now I have to go to the Mazda dealership to get another OEM blade.

OP: PLEASE CHANGE YOUR FIRST POST TO WARN LATER READERS!

Thanks.

You must have encountered something unique... The Trico Exact Fit Rear Integral 12-A works great and the install is easy - you don't have to take off the arm so I suspect something went terribly wrong with your experience.

PS: Not that anyone needs two of them but there's a rebate on them right now thru 5-15-2010. I got mine online.

[dfskinner]

Well, I'm on my second replacement and the wiper still does not clean the upper half of the rear window, I've just leaned to live with it..... didn't think about going to the stealer, might be my next trip......

[Wishmaster]

Bumping an old thread, but thought I'd just let everyone know that I wished I had thread this before replacing and throwing away my old wiper blade!!!

the new 12A is now only wiping half the window...

Then, since I bought my car used, I thought the spring in the assembly was worn out, so I ordered a new wiper arm (about $30), but said no to the wiper blade section beacuse I just bought one...


I guess it's off the the dealer to get another blade...

[m5pa]

I agree, this needs to be stickied. Bought the Trico, only half the window being wiped. Old OEM blade gone in garbage already.

[dclyon]

I replaced my rear wiper arm with one from a Protege5 (Part # B25H-67-421) then got a standard 13" RainX wiper blade from Autozone. Sure, it doesn't look as "pretty" as the aerodynamic one, but it works! It still misses about 1" right above the wiper motor shaft, but every where else it works great.

[was98strat]

why don't you guys just buy the OEM blade, it's not like it's expensive, I'm on my 3rd one in almost 5 years and they only cost $12 each. how much ae you guys trying to save anyway? seems like a lot of work trying to find a cheaper part when the OEM is not expensive anyway!

[wedginator]

why don't you guys just buy the OEM blade, it's not like it's expensive, I'm on my 3rd one in almost 5 years and they only cost $12 each. how much ae you guys trying to save anyway? seems like a lot of work trying to find a cheaper part when the OEM is not expensive anyway!

It's probably due to the convenience of buying the aftermarket blades. You can buy them pretty much anywhere. eg Canadian Tire which are a dime a dozen. Driving to my closest dealership is a bit of a drive and I have a CT down the street so I thought I'd try that. But... lesson learned the aftermarket blades suck so I had to go back to the dealer. All this hassle for a bit of convenience which obviously backfired. lol

[was98strat]

I'd agree with you except I've never been able to find the mazda5 rear blades anywhere except the dealership. Canadian tire is the worst place to get blades for the 5 I have never Been able to find a drivers side blade there they never seem to have stock! I've been buying my front blades at Costco of all places!! I've been able to pice up a full front set no matter which one i drop into!

Also another reason I don't bother trying to find rear blades anywhere other than the dealership. I just pick one up when I get an oil change done!

[wedginator]

I'd agree with you except I've never been able to find the mazda5 rear blades anywhere except the dealership. Canadian tire is the worst place to get blades for the 5 I have never Been able to find a drivers side blade there they never seem to have stock! I've been buying my front blades at Costco of all places!! I've been able to pice up a full front set no matter which one i drop into!

Also another reason I don't bother trying to find rear blades anywhere other than the dealership. I just pick one up when I get an oil change done!

Yes!! I realized that too! I currently don't have the correct size blade on my car right now. I think it takes a 26 inch. I went with a 24 inch, which still works.

[J.P.]

Not to start a flame war, but the rear wiper refill for the '97-2001 Honda CRV is identical. $6 at my local dealer. So they are an alternative in a pinch.

[was98strat]

Yes!! I realized that too! I currently don't have the correct size blade on my car right now. I think it takes a 26 inch. I went with a 24 inch, which still works.

yep 24 works, I tried a 28 once when CDN tire didn't (as usual) have my 26 inch drivers blade. 28 cleans right to the edge of the winshield molding!

[perkinsms]

I just tried this and found that the trico replacement blade holder and metal side stiffeners don't have the same curvature as an OEM blade holder and stiffeners, so when you do this, you really have to just replace the rubber wiper part.

[electronics4lif]

Not to start a flame war, but the rear wiper refill for the '97-2001 Honda CRV is identical. $6 at my local dealer. So they are an alternative in a pinch.

I like this tip! The Honda dealer is much closer than the Mazda dealer and I know from past cars that the Honda inserts are good quality. Do you know of any Honda refills that fit the front windshield of the Mazda5?

[Hank3]

I posted this for when I had my Mazdaspeed3, but I recall reading somewhere that the rear wiper is the same part as the Mazda5. If that's the case, maybe you guys can use my "How-to" to save some money and time.

I've seen from time to time members posting questions about replacing the rear wiper. I for one actually like the option of using it during rainstorms, but some folks don't like it as much and have done the rear wiper delete mod.

At first, all I saw were members saying that you can only get the replacement from Mazda, which for some folks is inconvenient since the dealer is far away, and it also costs a pretty penny for such a simple item. Ordering online isn't a great option due to shipping...unless you order other things and just add it to the list of things you're purchasing.

So I went to my local Discount Auto and purchased two rubber blades (for around $5 or so) that you can cut down to size. Make sure they have the two metal strips since you cannot use the metal strip from the OEM rubber blade. You may be able to find a rubber blade at your local auto parts place that looks like the stock one, but I couldn't.

EDIT* Other owners have reported that you can go to AutoZone and buy a Duralast 14" wiper for $7. Then all you have to do is remove the blade from the Duralast arm and slide it into the stock rear wiper arm. Or you can buy Duralast refills from Autozone for $4.99 for a pair of them. No metal needed either, it's already got hard plastic on top of the blade that slides right into the stock rear wiper arm. You can buy a longer version of this and cut it down too.

NOTE: There's a section in the owner's manual (section 8-30 to be exact or page 297. Here's the PDF version (http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/manuals/2008_Mazdaspeed3_OM.pdf)) on how to change out just the blade part of the rear wiper.

Onto the process and pics. So first take off the entire rear wiper:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper2.jpg

Picture of the stock rear wiper blade:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper1a.jpg

Picture of the rear wiper blade and the one I purchased:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper3.jpg

Cut down the new blade and the metal strips to match the stock one:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper4.jpg

Seat the metal strips to the new rubber blade (the metal strips can be finicky to keep the slots/grooves, so be patient):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper6.jpg

Next, slide the blade into the wiper slot (start from the 2nd slot on one side and work your way to the other end - leave the very end slot open for now):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper7.jpg

In this pic, I am working the blade from right to left:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper8.jpg

Leaving the last slot open - then you bend the blade and the metal strips a little to fit it in:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper11.jpg

Re-attach the blade to the wiper assembly now:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper16.jpg

And you're done! Congrats...and now enjoy clean streak-free wipes!!! (yippy)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/wiper17.jpg

[flcruising]

The MS3 blade does look longer since you have 4 clip points and we have only 3. I replaced the rear blade on ours with an ANCO, and it didn't physically fit. It was too thick.

[JKoscoe]

Thank you everyone for the tips on what to do with the 5's rear wiper problem. Now it won't be such of a problem when it needs replaced.

[00bluees]

good info in here. was looking for a solution to fix the problem of the wiper not cleaning the top half of the windshield. turns out the blade that was on there was an aftermarket one. at first i thought the spring in the arm was worn so i bent it a bit to put more pressure on the window, that didn't work. like i said, turns out it was the blade. i swapped it for the mazda6 oem rear wiper from my protege5 and it worked fine. comparing the two side by side the oem plastic section in the middle of the blade is much thinner, and allows much more flex. with the mazda oem blade on there it works fine (other than the fact that the rubber insert is worn, and i bought a refill pack of 2 24" pieces for 6 bucks) but at least the whole rear window gets clean now. i put the aftermarket blade on the protege5, with a touch of dremel love it works just fine as the window has less of a curve in it.