Ford XL6Z-17528-AA Wiper Blade Assembly

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.

Other types of Trico refills have two metal tabs which are unlocked by squeezing them together. The rubber filler can then be withdrawn from the frame jaws. A new refill is installed by inserting the refill into the front frame jaws and sliding rearward to engage the remaining frame jaws. There are usually four jaws: be certain when installing that the refill is engaged in all of them. At the end of its travel, the tabs will lock into place on the front jaws of the wiper blade frame.

At one end of the rubber blade element, insert a small screwdriver between the blade and the metal backing strip. Press down and in, then twist the screwdriver clockwise to release the element from the retaining claw. Slide the blade element out of the retaining claws until the element is completely detached from the frame.

Be sure the wipers are in the parked position, and the blade assembly is in its correct position.

Periodic inspection of the windshield wiper and blade assembly is essential to catch any signs of rubber deterioration or cracking.

If inspection reveals hardened or cracked rubber, the wiper blades should be replaced.

Road film can build up on the wiper blades and affect their efficiency, so they should be washed regularly with a mild detergent solution.