Ford 2U2Z-17528-EA Wiper Blade Assembly

Raise the blade end of the front wiper arm off of the windshield. Move the slide latch away from the pivot shaft. The wiper-arm can now be removed from the shaft without the use of any tools. Be sure the wipers are in the parked position, and the blade assembly is in its correct position. Push the main head over the pivot shaft. Hold the main arm head onto the pivot shaft while raising the blade end of the wiper arm and push the slide latch into the lock under the pivot shaft head. Lower the blade to the windshield. If the blade does not lower to the windshield, the slide latch is not completely in place. For the rear wiper, raise the windshield wiper blade/arm off of the glass and place it into the service position. Using a small, flat bladed prytool, release the retaining clip at the base of the windshield wiper pivot arm. Carefully pry the wiper arm from the shaft. Ensure that the wiper motor pivot shaft is in the park position. Position the wiper arm over the shaft and firmly push it on until it stops. Lower the wiper blade/arm against the glass. The blade is properly positioned when it firmly contacts the wind-shield wiper arm stop. If it does not, remove the arm again and reposition it so that it does.

It is common for wiper blades to be covered with a layer of road film that may disrupt their operation. Clean them occasionally using a light detergent. Check the wiper's assembly for signs of cracks or other damage. If necessary, fit new blades. Wet the windscreen and put the wipers on in order to look for streaks or irregular patterns. This will help remove some slackness from these fasteners as may become necessary. To get rid of the blade assembly, depress the release spring and separate it from the arm pin by pulling it out. When installing one has to push in firmly on the blade until it fixes on the pin. Remove the entire rubber blade element by inserting a screwdriver into it and releasing it from its retaining claw. For this purpose, slide out the old element and back in the new one while securing it with a strip of backing material at its head end side. Ensure that all claws are engaged before fitting arm to blade joining mechanism.

For maximum effectiveness and longest element life, keep the windshield and wiper blades clean, as dirt, tree sap, and road tar can cause streaking, smearing, and blade deterioration. Wash the windshield with a commercial glass cleaner at least once a month and wipe off the rubber blades with a wet rag. Avoid moving wipers across the windshield by hand to prevent damage to the motor and drive mechanism. To inspect or replace wiper blade elements, set the wiper switch to LOW speed and the ignition switch to ACC, then turn the ignition switch to OFF when the blades are vertical. Examine the wiper blade elements and replace any that are cracked, broken, or worn, as replacement intervals vary with usage, typically limited to about one year due to ozone deterioration. If the wiper pattern is smeared or streaked, or if the blade chatters, replace the elements, ideally in pairs. Aftermarket blades may use different types of refills; for example, Anco blades have a release button for easy refill replacement, while some Trico refills require a small screwdriver to release the refill from the retaining tab. Other Trico refills have metal tabs that unlock by squeezing them together, allowing the rubber filler to be withdrawn and replaced. Polycarbonate refills feature a locking device for easy release and installation. For Tridon refills, remove the wiper blade and pull the backing strip while twisting to free the refill, ensuring to replace it with an identical type. Always follow the part manufacturer's instructions closely and ensure all frame jaws are engaged during installation to avoid scratching the glass.

Direct sunlight or dirt can build up on blades as films as they travel on the road to wipe the windscreen and hence require frequent washing with a mild detergent. Lifting of the windshield and the wiper and the blade must be checked now and then because the sun and the environmental factors cause the rubber to dry up and crack and split. In the case of hardening of rubber or appearance of cracks, then the material is no longer useful, and should be replaced. If the surface appears clear, dampen the glass with water, switch on the wiper to go through several cycles and then switch it off; blurred streaks suggest that it is time to replace the wiper blades. The movement of this wiper causes the various fasteners to loosen and it is recommended that these are checked and tightened as it is during the blade checks. When examining the front wiper blade, the blades have to be parked in a specific position and this is usually done by running the wipers and turning off the ignition at the preferred location. Turn the blade up a little and pull the retaining lever to unlock it, then withdraw the wiper arm from the blade and, while doing so, try not to put stress on the spring lock. Set and adjust the new blade on the wiper arm hook, ensuring you hear the 'click' sound that means that the blade is optimally fixed onto the hook. For rear wiper blade replacement, use the first stages of this method to position the blades, than, with a small screwdriver, push the retaining lever in and remove the blade from the wiper arm stud. To install you simply push the new blade over the stud till it fits. To change wiper elements, place a slit of a screwdriver between the wiper blade and the element and while pressing on the element apply torque clockwise to unlock the claw and remove the element. On the later models needle nose pliers should be used in order to remove as well as install the blade. Insert the new element into the second retaining claw and then through the rest of the claws until it reaches the end; at which the new element is bent back into the claw at the end of the blade.

Direct sunlight or dirt can build up on blades as films as they travel on the road to wipe the windscreen and hence require frequent washing with a mild detergent. Lifting of the windshield and the wiper and the blade must be checked now and then because the sun and the environmental factors cause the rubber to dry up and crack and split. In the case of hardening of rubber or appearance of cracks, then the material is no longer useful, and should be replaced. If the surface appears clear, dampen the glass with water, switch on the wiper to go through several cycles and then switch it off; blurred streaks suggest that it is time to replace the wiper blades. The movement of this wiper causes the various fasteners to loosen and it is recommended that these are checked and tightened as it is during the blade checks. When examining the front wiper blade, the blades have to be parked in a specific position and this is usually done by running the wipers and turning off the ignition at the preferred location. Turn the blade up a little and pull the retaining lever to unlock it, then withdraw the wiper arm from the blade and, while doing so, try not to put stress on the spring lock. Set and adjust the new blade on the wiper arm hook, ensuring you hear the 'click' sound that means that the blade is optimally fixed onto the hook. For rear wiper blade replacement, use the first stages of this method to position the blades, than, with a small screwdriver, push the retaining lever in and remove the blade from the wiper arm stud. To install you simply push the new blade over the stud till it fits. To change wiper elements, place a slit of a screwdriver between the wiper blade and the element and while pressing on the element apply torque clockwise to unlock the claw and remove the element. On the later models needle nose pliers should be used in order to remove as well as install the blade. Insert the new element into the second retaining claw and then through the rest of the claws until it reaches the end; at which the new element is bent back into the claw at the end of the blade.

First of all, to get rid of road film, use a mild detergent to wash the wiper blades regularly. Assess the condition of the rubber on each blade for possible cracks and deterioration. Promptly replace any blades with hardened or broken rubber. During regular inspections, check and tighten fasteners on the wiper mechanism. If you have Tridon blades, then park the wipers, lift the blade, press the spring lock, and reinstall it with a new assembly. On Tridon blades with replaceable elements, locate the TRIDON stamp at one corner of the rubber replacement element, release this using a coin or screwdriver then fit back securely using a new one. For earlier Tricoblades, lift up the wiper arm, lever out one end of an element, slide into the tabs, and secure the blade back onto the arm. For later Tricoblades; park wipers down, release blade using a screwdriver-separate element from a tab-insert new element into tabs-secure-lock blade onto pivot pin.

Road film tends to build up on the wiper blades thus reducing their effectiveness, washing with diluted mild detergent will help in this respect. The windshield wiper and blade assembly should be checked from time to time because the rubber that is used is likely to dry up due to constant exposure to sun and this will result to cracking and breaking. If the rubber is not smooth to the touch and the feel of it is hard or cracked, then it has to be replaced. If it is clean, spray the windshield, switch on the wipers to run several times and turn off the wipers; If the pattern on the glass is uneven or streaked, then it is high time to replace the blades. Blade may wobble due to the action of wiper mechanism that is controlling it hence loosening of fasteners is commonplace; it is during blade removing that fasteners should be checked and tightened if necessary. In as much as wipers are replaced, park them in right position through engaging the wipers and switching off the engine when they are in the right position. Hold the blade by the top and raised it a little bit from the windshield, at the same time press the retaining lever then the wiper arm can be pulled out of the blade, after that one needs to remove the blade while taking care not to twist the spring lock. Place the new blade as far as it can go on the wiper arm hook and when it cannot go any further, it is locked in place. For wiper element replacement, take a flat head screwdriver that should be used to free the wiper blade by applying pressure on the blade as you turn the screwdriver to the clockwise direction, the retaining claw should let go of the element. Slide the element out of the remaining claws, and then to replace a given element: take either end, place an element into the second retaining claw and move all the way to the end. Lastly, put the element back into the claw of the blade bending it as it comes to the end of the blade.

Road film can build up on the wiper blades and affect their efficiency, so they should be washed regularly with a mild detergent solution. The windshield wiper and blade assembly should be inspected periodically. Even if you don't use your wipers, the sun and elements will dry out the rubber portions, causing them to crack and break apart. If inspection reveals hardened or cracked rubber, replace the wiper blades. If inspection reveals nothing unusual, wet the windshield, turn the wipers on, allow them to cycle several times, then shut them off. An uneven wiper pattern across the glass or streaks over clean glass indicate that the blades should be replaced. The operation of the wiper mechanism can loosen the fasteners so they should be checked and tightened, as necessary, at the same time the wiper blades are checked. For wiper blade replacement, park the wiper blades in a convenient position to be worked on. To do this, run the wipers, then turn the ignition key to Off when the wiper blades reach the desired position. Lift the blade slightly from the windshield. Squeeze the retaining lever to release the blade, unhook the wiper arm from the blade and take the blade off. Do not press too hard on the spring lock or it will be distorted. Slide the new blade onto the wiper arm hook until the blade locks. Make sure the spring lock secures the blade to the pin. For wiper element replacement, insert a screwdriver blade between the wiper blade and element. Twist the screwdriver clockwise while pressing in and down to separate the element from the end retaining claw. Slide the element out of the remaining retaining claws. Starting at either end of the blade, slide a new element into the second retaining claw. Slide it through the other retaining claws until it reaches the end of the blade. Bend the element and slide it back into the claw at the end of the blade.

Regularly wash wiper blades with mild detergent to remove road film. Inspect the windshield wiper and blade assembly periodically, as sun and elements can cause the rubber to crack. Replace hardened or cracked blades. Test the wipers on a wet windshield and replace if they leave an uneven pattern or streaks. Check and tighten the fasteners of the wiper mechanism. To remove the blade assembly, use a small screwdriver to push down on the release spring at the center of the blade, then lift the release lever or press down with the screwdriver and pull the wiper blade off the wiper arm pin. To install, push the blade assembly onto the pin until it snaps into place. To replace the rubber blade element, use a screwdriver to release it from the retaining claw and slide it out. Install a new element by sliding it into the retaining claws and securing it by twisting the backing strip into the end claws. Ensure all claws are locked onto the strip before installing the blade on the wiper arm.

It is common for wiper blades to be covered with a layer of road film that may disrupt their operation. Clean them occasionally using a light detergent. Check the wiper's assembly for signs of cracks or other damage. If necessary, fit new blades. Wet the windscreen and put the wipers on in order to look for streaks or irregular patterns. This will help remove some slackness from these fasteners as may become necessary. To get rid of the blade assembly, depress the release spring and separate it from the arm pin by pulling it out. When installing one has to push in firmly on the blade until it fixes on the pin. Remove the entire rubber blade element by inserting a screwdriver into it and releasing it from its retaining claw. For this purpose, slide out the old element and back in the new one while securing it with a strip of backing material at its head end side. Ensure that all claws are engaged before fitting arm to blade joining mechanism.