Changing wiper inserts
 

Okay, I'm an idiot. I cannot figure out how to change the wiper inserts for the life of me! And before I go to the dealer tomorrow and look like an idiot in front of them, I figure I'll be an idiot in front of you all first!

So, what's the trick to remove them? I do have the OEM replacements to go on and the directions indicate to lift some "lever" to be able to remove the blade from the arm. I have failed miserably on step 1! I see no lever and I don't want to break/bend those brackets that hold the blade on. It won't budge.

http://mycolorado.org/images/silly.gif

Darren,

Boy, you just know how to do that hardcore stuff, huh?!?! :D This ranks in difficulty w/ "How to replace the TPS sensor" posted just yesterday. :laugh: I thought about writing this awhile back but didn't in fear of being teased.

Ok, enough kidding aside, its very simple: push the lever all the way and then slide the entire wiper arm downwards. Once cleared, bow the wiper outwards to remove:

http://www.4runners.org/images/random/wiper_lever.jpg

Then remove the stopper at the end and slide out the metal runners.
http://www.4runners.org/images/random/wiper_stopper.jpg

The rubber wiper inserts will come right out.

Bob

Screw this! This is, in fact, way too hardcore for me. Since you think this is soooo "easy," I think I'm just gonna buy you a plane ticket out here so you can change mine for me! :D Jerk! :P

Believe me, I searched for a write-up, explanation, anything, but I figured this was just over the top, and something only the elite techs are able to handle. Guess you'll have to find a home for those pics after all!

Okay, well I had messed with that lever, but no go. Now that I know I'm looking at the right thing, I'll just have to work with it a bit further. I can't wait. :roll: Surely trading in the 4Runner will be much easier.

Thanks, Bob!

LOL!

Darren, after hanging out with the Marmot himself last weekend, yeah, fly me out! :D I need some new scenery.

Edit: try re-seating the wiper arm. Quite possibly the lever cannot be depressed if its not seated 100%.

Bob

Well, I figured I'd post the outcome, so here it is. I traded in the 'Runner this evening. Yep, just too tough for me. The new Jeep GC is about the same color blue if you wanna see pictures. :hillbill:

Nah, thanks to Mr. Kim, I am now an official wiper blade installer technician. Bob, I got it off pretty easily when I went at it again. Apparently, that was the only direction I didn't try to push/pull in to get it off previously! It was a lot easier to work with after I got it off the main arm. Good grief, though. I guess I'll leave the thread up.

Marmot was out there AGAIN?! You ought to switch him places for awhile. I think he's been out there more than he has been here this year.

Well, thanks again for the help/motivation! I do appreciate it.

Those damn wiper blades pissed me off too!!!

LOL...I made the mistake of using non-OEM refills on my truck right after I bought it, and I threw away those little metal inserts that you're supposed to put into the new (OEM) refills. So the next time I changed 'em, it took me two trips to the dealer and a special parts order. :bang:

Never thought I could make such a simple job so complicated!

Dealer? Forget the blades then, and just buy the whole kit as it will be cheaper that what a stealer will charge you to change the blades!

I just change the whole wiper blade, it's worth the extra $3 per side to not have a headache like that!:bang: I also switched to the Bosch blades on both our cars and I like them a lot, seem to clear rain much better than the OEM ones.

Changed the whole wiper blade, or the entire arm assembly? I hate those metal strips, and I swear, one of these days, I'm gonna scratch the wind-screen. I checked with the local auto parts store, and they have no replacements for my Tundra...curious that is. :think: I figured he was an idiot, and I am likely not going back.

Where'd you get your Bosch replacements? And can anyone tell me what "kit" was being refered to?:dunno: Thanks!

(Seems like there's a few of us who have trouble with this difficult task...I guess I shouldn't feel so bad anymore)

--Adam

If you look for an aftermarket part you'll end up replacing the entire blade assembly - not the arm but everything at the end of it.
Go to Toyota and buy the inserts. They don't cost that much and you're not getting rid of a part that can/should be reused.

Not only did I replace the main insert that I originally needed to replace, but I also changed the other one! Took about 3 hours less and was actually only a few minutes! It was a breeze. Lining up those metal strips were never a problem for me.

The general consensus here, and anywhere else, has been to use Toyota inserts over any aftermarket ones. They do work good.

Toy inserts are the best IMO. I had switched to Bosch previously and they didn't work too well for me. Switched back to Toy and haven't been happier.

I too recommend OEM blades, a buddy has had his on his (his had, had his)97 for about a year. Work perfectly! My BOSCH wipers on the other hand lasted me a month. :pop: