How to de-attach and re-attach windsheild wiper arms

[DSpease15]

I wanted to know how to de-attach my windshield wiper arms because I want to take them off and paint them tomorrow. I tried pulling the pin back and pull the arms off but it wouldn't budge. So I was wondering if you know what I need to do to take them off, then put it back on. I have a 1998 Ford Explorer, btw. Thank you.

 

[BrianDye]

Super easy!

What you have todo is pull the arm back (Like your cleaning the windshield, or replacing your blades)

Then theres a small "tab" on the end of the arm where its connected to the truck that lifts up (You may need a small flathead to pry it since it probably hasnt been moved in years)

And then the arm will just pull straight off.

 

[drothgeb]

How do I detach the rear wiper? the little tab does nothing and it can only move back until the bump out on the arm stops it...Is the tab just broken or am I doing something wrong??

 

[BrianDye]

The rear wiper just needs a swift pry and it will pull off.

Move the arm as far back as it will go (fronts) and then lift that tab up, then push the arms back toward the windshield and they should stop about 3/4th's or 1/2 the way and then the arms will pull off. Since theyve been on there for years, they might be a little tough the first time, but then they should be good.

 

[DSpease15]

Super easy!

What you have todo is pull the arm back (Like your cleaning the windshield, or replacing your blades)

Then theres a small "tab" on the end of the arm where its connected to the truck that lifts up (You may need a small flathead to pry it since it probably hasnt been moved in years)

And then the arm will just pull straight off.

Thank you for replying quickly! I just went out and gave it a try and it came out! Now all I need to do is figure out how to take the rear end one off. I'll be sure to post an before and after pictures tomorrow!

 

[BrianDye]

Not a problem man! Im one of the late night EF browsers

The rear one "just pulls" off but theyre always so hard to pull off the first time, and then after that its easy. I used a big screwdriver I think to pry mine off on my 92, they were in desperate need of new paint.

Pry like hell!

 

[DSpease15]

Not a problem man! Im one of the late night EF browsers

The rear one "just pulls" off but theyre always so hard to pull off the first time, and then after that its easy. I used a big screwdriver I think to pry mine off on my 92, they were in desperate need of new paint.

Pry like hell!

Wow, thank you for all of your help. I really do appreciate it. I'll try and pry it off tomorrow when I get out of college in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Joe Dirt]

If it's a 1998, isn't there a nut holding it on? Pull back the plastic cover and there is a nut back there?

 

[DSpease15]

If it's a 1998, isn't there a nut holding it on? Pull back the plastic cover and there is a nut back there?

No, on mine, there's a pin that you have to push the tab, then pull it off. It may vary on what kind of explorer it is. For example, Explorer 2DR may have a nut holding it while Explorer 4DR have pin/tab that's holding it.

So, I got the two windshield wiper arms off but I could not get the rear wiper arm off. I tried using my screwdriver to pull the tab and pull the arm but it wouldn't budge. While I'm moving the arm around, the motor also moves with it. I was worried if I started to jerk it back and move it around, that the motor might break off. Any ideas on how I can get it off. FYI, my rear hatch came from a 1996 Ford Explorer. I had to switch out the hatches because the one that I used to had is terrible, I couldn't open the window, and the bottom of the door is rusted out pretty bad due to previous owner that got rear ended and half assed it by painting it, then put a chrome trim to cover the rusts..

 

[BrianDye]

If it's a 1998, isn't there a nut holding it on? Pull back the plastic cover and there is a nut back there?

Sorry I keep forgetting I have the newer hatch now so you may be right, since I haven't really messed with it.

 

[Joe Dirt]

FYI, my rear hatch came from a 1996 Ford Explorer.

Well there ya go

The 1991-1997 Hatches have the tabbed wiper arm, and the 1998+ hatches have the cover/nut wiper arms. 2dr/4dr didn't matter...

My '97 I couldn't get the thing released either.

 

[BrianDye]

That's weird, my 92's didn't have a tab it just pulled off, and that's exactly what I was instructed todo way back when I asked lol

 

[Joe Dirt]

The tab:

 

[DSpease15]

Well, the good news is that I finally got all wiper arms painted! Since I couldn't get the rear end off, I came up with an idea to use newspapers and tape it up on my hatch. I'll post the pictures up later tonight.

 

[Joe Dirt]

My '97 I couldn't get the thing released either.

Well, the good news is that I finally got all wiper arms painted! Since I couldn't get the rear end off, I came up with an idea to use newspapers and tape it up on my hatch. I'll post the pictures up later tonight.

Sounds familiar...

 

[joydsilva6987]

thanks for giving nice info. this helped me in de-attach and re-attach windsheild wiper arms