How to Replace Windshield Wipers on Your Vehicle

Replacing windshield wipers is one of the most important, affordable and most often-forgotten steps to maintaining your vehicle. In order to keep your windshield crystal-clear in any weather and ensure the best visibility possible, worn-out wiper blades should be swapped out every six months. Get rid of residue with every swipe when you install quality replacement wiper blades from the extensive selection at AmericanTrucks.

Knowing when to replace windshield wipers

Knowing when to replace windshield wipers is as simple as taking note of a few signs. If you're struggling to see through streaky areas, hearing a stutter-like “chatter” or looking at worn, split rubber — it’s time for a change. Replacing wiper blades shouldn't wait until you find yourself squinting to see while driving through the rain and snow. Make this easy and affordable upgrade and read on to learn how to replace a windshield wiper.

Attachment Types

There are five main attachment types for windshield wipers that are used by most vehicle manufacturers. The first step in wiper blade replacement is recognizing which attachment system your ride is working with. This is as simple as taking a look at your wiper blade and identifying a large J-hook, small J-hook, large pin arm, small pin arm, or bayonet arm.

Now that you know your wiper’s attachment type, just follow the simple directions below on how to replace wiper blades. In just a matter of minutes, you'll be ready to hit the road — with a clear line of sight.

Large J-Hooks

1. Remove the pre-installed adapter by partially rotating the back part of the adapter up and then pushing it forward. The adaptor should pop off.
2. To install the new adapter on the wiper blade, orient it so that the end with the tab is on the side of the wiper blade with the smaller hole. Then, align the center channel of the adapter with the cross pin of the wiper blade. Push firmly until the adapter clicks into place.
3. After you've removed the old wiper blade, make sure the wiper arm is in the “up” position.
4. Insert the curved part of the J-hook through the top opening of the wiper blade, then guide the wiper blade into the J-hook and pull upward until it locks into place.
5. Tug on the blade to make sure it's properly fastened and then lower the arm gently onto the windshield.

Small J-Hooks

1. After you've removed the old wiper blade, make sure the wiper arm is in the “up” position.
2. Insert the curved part of the J-hook through the top opening of the wiper blade, then guide the wiper blade into the J-hook and pull upward until it clicks into place.
3. Tug on the blade to make sure it's properly fastened and then lower the arm gently onto the windshield.

Large Pin Arms

1. Remove the pre-installed adapter by partially rotating the back part of the adapter up and then pushing it forward. The adaptor should pop off.
2. To install the new adapter on the wiper blade, orient it so that the end with the tab is on the side of the wiper blade with the smaller hole. Then, align the center channel of the adapter with the cross pin of the wiper blade. Push firmly until the adapter clicks into place
3. Reword point to Rotate the front part of the adapter outward approximately 45 degrees so that there’s clearance for the pin arm to pass through the large hole of the wiper blade.
4. After you've removed the old wiper blade, make sure the wiper arm is in the “up” position.
5. Insert the wiper arm pin through the large hole of the wiper blade and rotate the front part of the adapter down until it locks the arm pin in place.
6. Tug on the blade to make sure it's properly fastened and then lower the arm gently onto the windshield.

Small Pin Arms

1. Remove the pre-installed adapter by partially rotating the back part of the adapter up and then pushing it forward. The adaptor should pop off.
2. To install the new adapter on the wiper blade, orient it so that the end with the tab is on the side of the wiper blade with the smaller hole. Then, align the center channel of the adapter with the cross pin of the wiper blade. Push firmly until the adapter clicks into place.
3. Reword point to Rotate the back part of the adapter outward approximately 45 degrees so that there’s clearance for the pin arm to pass through the small hole of the wiper blade.
4. After you've removed the old wiper blade, make sure the wiper arm is in the “up” position.
5. Insert the wiper arm pin through the small hole of the wiper blade and rotate the back part of the adapter down until it locks the arm pin in place.
6. Tug on the blade to make sure it's properly fastened and then lower the arm gently onto the windshield.

Bayonet Arms

1. Remove the pre-installed adapter by partially rotating the back part of the adapter up and then pushing it forward. The adaptor should pop off.
2. To install the new adapter on the wiper blade, orient it so that the end with the tab is on the side of the wiper blade with the smaller hole. Then, align the center channel of the adapter with the cross pin of the wiper blade. Push firmly until the adapter clicks into place.
3. After you've removed the old wiper blade, make sure the wiper arm is in the “up” position.
4. Finally, rotate the back part of the adapter outward. Insert the end of the wiper arm through the opening above the tab on the back of the adapter.
5. Tug on the blade to make sure it's properly fastened and then lower the arm gently onto the windshield.

Basic Maintenance

Deteriorated wipers don’t have proper contact with your windshield surface, creating streaky areas and severely impairing your visibility. If any of the conditions we mentioned above are happening on your ride, replace your wipers today. Windshield wiper replacement may be hassle-free, but follow these helpful tips to keep your wipers working the best they can between changes.

• Check your wiper blades monthly. Try to clean the rubber element every time you fill your gas tank and remove any loose dirt or road grime from your windshield.
• Always use an ice scraper to remove snow and ice. Using your wipers to de-ice your windshield can damage the blade, as well as the entire arm and wiper motor. Another handy option is to use a windshield snow cover to prevent ice or snow buildup in the first place.
• If you're hand washing your car, use a small amount of non-abrasive glass cleaner on a wet sponge to clean both the windshield and the rubber wiping elements.

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