Windshield Wiper nozzle on passenger side aimed up | Ford Explorer Forums

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Windshield Wiper nozzle on passenger side aimed up

gdgiordano

Well-Known Member
Joined
February 14, 2014
Messages
468
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City, State
Denver, CO
Year, Model & Trim Level
2010 Ford Explorer XLT
So, I've been trying to figure out how the cover comes off where the wiper shaft comes out so I can see why the wiper fluid nozzle is pointed up. Any pointers?
 



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I think the black plastic cowl piece may have a couple of screws and then a bunch of clips that pop off. I replaced a washer nozzle on our first Explorer. There's really no aiming of the nozzle, it just clips to the bottom of the black plastic part. I ended up breaking my black plastic piece on the corner (I didn't consider it a big deal). They get brittle over time. I bought the new nozzle from Ford for about $10.
 






I think the black plastic cowl piece may have a couple of screws and then a bunch of clips that pop off. I replaced a washer nozzle on our first Explorer. There's really no aiming of the nozzle, it just clips to the bottom of the black plastic part. I ended up breaking my black plastic piece on the corner (I didn't consider it a big deal). They get brittle over time. I bought the new nozzle from Ford for about $10.
I can't find any screws or fasteners. I'm losing my mind haha. Guess a piece is broken in there somewhere.
 






No screws...just push-in plastic clips. Believe there are three along the bottom and two across the top of each half. It's almost a given that you'll break off at least one. Pry up between the plastic trim and your cowl (careful not to scratch the paint). Also, be careful lifting up on the trim once you have released the clips. The washer hose is attached to a plastic piece (your nozzle housing) that will also break if you pull too hard (just make sure you have some slack in the hose). I always disconnect the hose below the cowl (in the engine compartment) first. With all that said, My guess is a retaining tab on the plastic nozzle housing is broken...causing it to not sit at the correct angle. The nozzle housing can be removed and is not a permanent part of the cowl trim plate...so, if you can't "jerry-rig" some sort of repair, it can be replaced.
 






No screws...just push-in plastic clips. Believe there are three along the bottom and two across the top of each half. It's almost a given that you'll break off at least one. Also, be careful lifting up on the driver half of the trim where the washer hose is attached. It's attached to a plastic piece that will also break if too much pressure is applied. I always disconnect the hose below the cowl (in the engine compartment).
Ok so correct me if I'm wrong, but everything to remove it is on the top? I shouldn't have to be under the hood at all? I just I need the passenger half to come off.
 






Yes...it pries off from the top (after you remove the wiper arm. I believe the passenger side half overlaps the driver side half, so shouldn't need to remove the driver side. But, as I mentioned, I'd open the hood and make sure you have some slack in the hose before lifting up on the trim very far...or, you risk breaking the nozzle housing where the hose attaches.
 






The only thing you need to do under the hood is disconnect the nozzle hose(s), I must be thinking of another vehicle that had 2 screws besides the clips.
 






Yes...it pries off from the top (after you remove the wiper arm. I believe the passenger side half overlaps the driver side half, so shouldn't need to remove the driver side. But, as I mentioned, I'd open the hood and make sure you have some slack in the hose before lifting up on the trim very far...or, you risk breaking the nozzle housing where the hose attaches.
By chance can you post a picture of the clips?! I can't find them haha. It's held on by magic.
 






I have no pics on hand...and, it's about 10 degrees out right now, so I'm not going to risk shattering my trim by prying up on it. If you want to wait until tomorrow, I might make a quick run over to the U Pick before the snowstorm arrives and can take a pic of one.

Otherwise, I can try giving some more tips. They do take some effort to pop loose. They're about 1/2" wide. Your first one on the bottom edge (passenger side) is about 2" to the right of where the metal cowl meets the fender (as you're facing the truck). Slip a small standard screwdriver between the sheet metal and plastic trim and slide it side to side to get a feel of where it's most difficult to lift up on the trim in order to get as close to the clip as possible. Then, try to pop it upwards. Might try two screwdrivers to distribute the upwards pressure to help prevent breaking off the clip. I happen to also have a small pry bar about the size of regular screwdriver that helps with leverage.
 






I have no pics on hand...and, it's about 10 degrees out right now, so I'm not going to risk shattering my trim by prying up on it. If you want to wait until tomorrow, I might make a quick run over to the U Pick before the snowstorm arrives and can take a pic of one.

Otherwise, I can try giving some more tips. They do take some effort to pop loose. They're about 1/2" wide. Your first one on the bottom edge (passenger side) is about 2" to the right of where the metal cowl meets the fender (as you're facing the truck). Slip a small standard screwdriver between the sheet metal and plastic trim and slide it side to side to get a feel of where it's most difficult to lift up on the trim in order to get as close to the clip as possible. Then, try to pop it upwards. Might try two screwdrivers to distribute the upwards pressure to help prevent breaking off the clip. I happen to also have a small pry bar about the size of regular screwdriver that helps with leverage.
Ok. The weather is similar here. I'm done with it for the next couple days. Don't let me impose. I just can't figure it out and I feel stupid.
 






No need to feel stupid. I hate blind retaining clips like this, myself. I tried removing three of these trim plates a couple wks ago to replace my sun-faded one and failed to get one without breaking at least one clip. Finally gave up on it and figured I'd live with what I had. That's the beauty of junk yards...you can see how things come apart before tearing into your own vehicle...lol!
 






No need to feel stupid. I hate blind retaining clips like this, myself. I tried removing three of these trim plates a couple wks ago to replace my sun-faded one and failed to get one without breaking at least one clip. Finally gave up on it and figured I'd live with what I had. That's the beauty of junk yards...you can see how things come apart before tearing into your own vehicle...lol!
That makes me feel better lol. Helps that our vehicles are super abundant.
 












I find that using a thin putty knife, with some masking tape on the blade to protect the paint, you can insert it under the plastic and slide it along to find where the clips are. If they're like the other plastic clips found all over the interior, they are about a 1/2" wide, more or less flat in profile and snap down into a metal retainer. With the plastic now being quite old, don't be too surprised if you manage to break one, but you can minimize the possibility of breakage if you pry as close as possible to the clip. I recently watched a guy replace the windshield ('01 ST) and he had those plastic pieces off in seconds with no problem at all. Of course he's probably done hundreds of them.

Tip: Before reinstalling trim with those plastic clips, I like to put a dab of white grease in the metal clip to make it easier to get them apart next time. If those metal clips get rusty they're very hard to get apart.

RE the nozzle: IIRC the nozzle snaps into place on the bottom of the plastic trim piece. There are plastic grabber pieces molded into the trim piece that hold it in place. In my case the guts of my nozzle were missing and it would just puke washer fluid over the roof, LOL. If you find your nozzle "gabber" pieces are broken, you might be able to glue the nozzle in place with 3M yellow weather stripping adhesive or JB Weld. Otherwise you'll need to find a good replacement cowl trim panel piece.

BTW, I often look for photo's of parts I need to remove on eBay, as I find it helpful to figure out where bolts (in this case clips) are located.
 






My apologies to all...there IS one screw on the driver side half in the first row of vents from the overlap with the passenger side. Have to look carefully for a round access hole in the trim panel.
 






I find that using a thin putty knife, with some masking tape on the blade to protect the paint, you can insert it under the plastic and slide it along to find where the clips are. If they're like the other plastic clips found all over the interior, they are about a 1/2" wide, more or less flat in profile and snap down into a metal retainer. With the plastic now being quite old, don't be too surprised if you manage to break one, but you can minimize the possibility of breakage if you pry as close as possible to the clip. I recently watched a guy replace the windshield ('01 ST) and he had those plastic pieces off in seconds with no problem at all. Of course he's probably done hundreds of them.

Tip: Before reinstalling trim with those plastic clips, I like to put a dab of white grease in the metal clip to make it easier to get them apart next time. If those metal clips get rusty they're very hard to get apart.

RE the nozzle: IIRC the nozzle snaps into place on the bottom of the plastic trim piece. There are plastic grabber pieces molded into the trim piece that hold it in place. In my case the guts of my nozzle were missing and it would just puke washer fluid over the roof, LOL. If you find your nozzle "gabber" pieces are broken, you might be able to glue the nozzle in place with 3M yellow weather stripping adhesive or JB Weld. Otherwise you'll need to find a good replacement cowl trim panel piece.

BTW, I often look for photo's of parts I need to remove on eBay, as I find it helpful to figure out where bolts (in this case clips) are located.
Alight, to be honest at this point I will likely just take it to someone. I am SUPER short(5'5) so reaching the center of the vehicle is really hard for me to do, much less apply force.

Ironically I think when I had my windshield replaced about a year and a half ago is when this happened.

As for the comments on the nozzle, it sounds like the grabbys are broke. Does epoxy work as well?
 






That's why they invented step ladders! You can do this...but, just don't attempt it in the cold. Guaranteed you'll crack the housing and some clips. Tried it again today at the yard in 12 degree weather and, you guessed it...cracked housing and clips. I took some pics for you to reference, but can't post them on here because I'm not an Elite member.
 






That's why they invented step ladders! You can do this...but, just don't attempt it in the cold. Guaranteed you'll crack the housing and some clips. Tried it again today at the yard in 12 degree weather and, you guessed it...cracked housing and clips. I took some pics for you to reference, but can't post them on here because I'm not an Elite member.

post your photos on some like PhotoBucket, then copy the IMG and paste it in your forum posting.
 






That's why they invented step ladders! You can do this...but, just don't attempt it in the cold. Guaranteed you'll crack the housing and some clips. Tried it again today at the yard in 12 degree weather and, you guessed it...cracked housing and clips. I took some pics for you to reference, but can't post them on here because I'm not an Elite member.
Looks like I'm waiting till June or July lol. I don't have a garage and I live in Colorado so it's always cold. Warm this time of year is 50 lol. Try Photobucket and link them.
 



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Thanks for the picture posting tip, Koda!

Okay...here are a couple pics showing (1) the RH side trim plate removed and upside down exposing a couple of clips and the washer nozzle housing...and, (2) showing five of the narrow slots in the metal cowl where the clips are pushed into. Notice above and to the right of the wiper arm stud there is the single screw still in place after breaking loose from the edge of the driver side trim. The washer nozzle is retained with that flat metal clip...while, at the same time, the metal clip is retained by the plastic tabs on each outer side (tabs are part of the trim panel and which are very brittle after all these years) and must be removed while also squeezing on the plastic locking tabs on the sides of the nozzle housing itself to release the nozzle from the trim plate. It's a bit tricky to do all this without breaking any of the plastic tabs. And, virtually impossible in cold weather. I'm guessing at least one of the retaining tabs has broken and caused the nozzle to aim at the wrong angle. Hope this helps.

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