How Do I Change My Windshield Wipers?
Thankfully, windshield wiper arms and blades are easy to replace, but correct wiper sizing may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. First, measure the length of your wiper blade so that you can purchase its respective size on NAPA Online. Your vehicle’s owner manual also houses this information. It’s important to note that changing the windshield wiper arm and blade is not the same as replacing the windshield wiper motor or switch.
The most common wiper blades are traditional/conventional, aero/hybrid or flat/beam blades and they range in size. NAPA sells windshield wiper blades as short as 8 inches and as long as 40 inches, so you are sure to find the right fit. The most common wiper blade connectors are the hook-slot, pin-type and straight-end system installation type.
When changing out the blade part of a windshield wiper, lift the wipers perpendicular to your windshield and keep them upright using the base locking tab. Then use the connector-specific method to remove the blade. You can apply a small amount of anti-seize lubricant at this point for easy reassembly, but this step isn’t always necessary. Install the new blade and lower your wiper arms. Then perform a test to ensure the wipers are functioning properly. If you see the blade is slipping, firmly seat the connection between the arm and the blade.
Note that some wiper arms are spring-loaded. Therefore, don’t let the wiper arm swing back once you remove the wiper blade because it could damage your windshield. You can err on the safe side and lay a towel or some cardboard onto your windshield glass before proceeding with the windshield wiper removal.
If you need to remove the whole wiper arm portion from your windshield, you must dislodge the nuts and bolts. With the nuts and bolts removed, you can lift the wiper arm away 90 degrees from the windshield, adjusting it until it comes free from the shaft. If this step is not easy, you will need the wiper arm puller tool.
You can do a few things to make the DIY process smoother, such as having a wrench and socket tool on hand. Remove any press-on cover cap that hides the nut bolt in the wiper arm and lubricate the joint that holds the system onto your windshield.