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).

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!