**How To Change 5th Gen Factory Wiper Blade Inserts - Pictorial

Bringing this thread back up again as it is getting close to winter time and new wiper blades. Pay attention class because [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] is showing you how to save some cash! People in California disregard as you will never get anymore rain and have no use for wipers....

Timely, thanks Greg (and [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] )

Anyone know the p/n for the rear refill?
 
Perfect timing! I'm switching back to factory blades. I made the mistake of installing Rain-X blades and they're horrible!
 
Good timing. I just ordered mine online yesterday from Camelback Toyota. Even after their shipping AND handling charges, they ended up being a lot cheaper than what the local dealers wanted.

Here's the text version of the part numbers for both fronts and rear wiper inserts that I found from one of [MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION] posts.

WIPER REFILL RIGHT 85214-06130
WIPER REFILL LEFT 85214-06140
WIPER REFILL REAR 85214-42040

[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] is that rear insert that you listed a new part number?
 
Good timing. I just ordered mine online yesterday from Camelback Toyota. Even after their shipping AND handling charges, they ended up being a lot cheaper than what the local dealers wanted.

Here's the text version of the part numbers for both fronts and rear wiper inserts that I found from one of [MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION] posts.



[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] is that rear insert that you listed a new part number?

Yes although it should fit all years.
 
Timely, I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago as well. Made it 3 years and while the stockers could have kept going for a bit more, they started to chatter and I decided I'd probably got my money's worth out of them.

Since I typically get around to replacing blades well after I should (i.e. in the middle of a rainstorm after they've given up the ghost) what I've done is buy an extra set of wiper blade assemblies to swap on. Then it's just a matter of popping the hinge, and swapping the whole wiper blade assy.

I then reload the wiper assy with a new refill and put it back on the shelf in the garage. Saves me a couple minutes of fumbling around with the blades in the rain.

YMMV, but if anyone is interested, here are the PNs for the wiper assys (as looked up for my 2012):

85212-53081 Windshield Wiper Blade RH (500mm)
85222-52180 Windshield Wiper Blade LH (600mm)
85242-35050 Back Glass Wiper Blade
 
Extending the life of your wiper blades

Routinely scraping all the glass (not just the windshield) with a safety razor will go a long way in preserving not only the wiper blades, but also the rubber channels for the side/rear windows too.

CAUTION! None of this applies to mirrors. Don't scrape or wax your mirrors!

We are all familiar with how paint over-spray will quickly ruin the edge of the wiper blades, but not every one thinks about "chemical fallout", which can also, although not as quickly, do the same damage.

After washing the truck, wipe your bare hand across the glass. It should feel as smooth as....well, as smooth as glass. If it doesn't, take 10-20 mins and scrape. You'll hear, what's been described as, clicking sounds as the razor removes the bumps. To make the job easier, I first apply a synthetic wax to the glass to act as a lubricant and it makes the job go a lot quicker. Finish with a damp microfiber to remove residue and buff out the wax. Now, wipe your hand accross the glass again and feel the difference.

Also notice how your wipers operate silently, indicating there's less friction. Same for raising and lowering the side and rear windows. The wipers will aslo do a better job of removing rain and debris.

Final notes:


​
You don't have to use wax if you're opposed to the idea, as many people are. You can use water or glass cleaner instead or nothing as you see fit.


​
When cleaning the inside glass, tinted or not, I recommend (and so does Toyota) using only a cloth dampened with water. Of course, if there's any grease or such, you'll have to use something other than water. But for that "cloudy film" you see, water will do the trick and leave no streaks.
 
Last edited:
Routinely scraping all the glass (not just the windshield) with a safety razor will go a long way in preserving not only the wiper blades, but also the rubber channels for the side/rear windows too.

CAUTION! None of this applies to mirrors. Don't scrape or wax your mirrors!

We are all familiar with how paint over-spray will quickly ruin the edge of the wiper blades, but not every one thinks about "chemical fallout", which can also, although not as quickly, do the same damage.

After washing the truck, wipe your bare hand across the glass. It should feel as smooth as....well, as smooth as glass. If it doesn't, take 10-20 mins and scrape. You'll hear, what's been described as, clicking sounds as the razor removes the bumps. To make the job easier, I first apply a synthetic wax to the glass to act as a lubricant and it makes the job go a lot quicker. Finish with a damp microfiber to remove residue and buff out the wax. Now, wipe your hand accross the glass again and feel the difference.

Also notice how your wipers operate silently, indicating there's less friction. Same for raising and lowering the side and rear windows. The wipers will aslo do a better job of removing rain and debris.

Final notes:


​
You don't have to use wax if you're opposed to the idea, as many people are. You can use water or glass cleaner instead or nothing as you see fit.


​
When cleaning the inside glass, tinted or not, I recommend (and so does Toyota) using only a cloth dampened with water. Of course, if there's any grease or such, you'll have to use something other than water. But for that "cloudy film" you see, water will do the trick and leave no streaks.

I just use a clay bar and some quick detailer. Gets all the contaminants off the glass quick and easy.
 
OEM blade refills (just the rubber, not the rubber and arm) are available on Amazon as well. I didn't figure this out, somebody else posted this, I asked in another thread what did I do wrong with buying Rain-X wiper blades, the answer was buy them. :)

I took the rubber part off of the Rain-X and put them on the arms of the Toyota. Next time I will just buy OEM off of Amazon.
 
So those just rubber refill part numbers will not fit the 2015 and up ?
Is it different , does anybody have the 15 part numbers
 
I've also used the clay bar, but usually in conjunction with the razor. I haven't had a lot of luck just with the clay, especially if there's any overspray, which happens often at my work place - a chemical plant (they're always spray painting the piperacks). But Antmans right, of course, the clay bar will work also.
 
Before I remove the wiper from the arm I first put a towel down to protect the glass. With the wiper off, the arm can fall and hit the glass possibly cracking it. Don't ask how I know this!
 
Wiper Blades

Thanks for the pictures and tutorial Antman. I haven't had to replace my wipers yet but I will keep this in mind. My usual source for cheap wiper blades, Pep Boys probably doesn't carry just the rubber blades. OEM to the rescue. :bowl:
 
Super easy!! Just replaced all 3 wipers at 53,000km/33,000mi. I wasn't really sure if they needed replacing but it was only the driver side that actually had any splitting/peeling. Either way nearly 3 years and 2 brutal winters later.... these OEM wipers are worth it.

Rear insert was a bit of a pain. All you need to do is get the wiper facing vertical and you can pull/slide it out by hand. The hard part was getting it to sit properly when you re-insert. I had to use a flat screwdriver to make the first bracket grab the wiper the way it's supposed to. Other than that, all very straightforward!
 
My experience over the years has also been that the aftermarket don't work as well as OEM. They are either a pain to install (one size never fits all) or they leave a swath of un-wiped windshield which is IMO more annoying than anything.

I do not recommend using wax on glass. If you have minor pitting (which we all do after time) the wax will aggravate the effect of that and make the little pits much more noticeable. The wax will also build up on the blades (microscopic as it may be) and cut down on their swiping effectiveness.

A good cleaning with white vinegar followed by glass cleaner after scrapping once a year is really all you need.
 
M

I do not recommend using wax on glass. If you have minor pitting (which we all do after time) the wax will aggravate the effect of that and make the little pits much more noticeable. The wax will also build up on the blades (microscopic as it may be) and cut down on their swiping effectiveness.

A good cleaning with white vinegar followed by glass cleaner after scrapping once a year is really all you need.

I totally agree that you shouldn't use conventional wax on glass for the very same reasons given by Blitzkrieg. That's why I recommended synthetic wax. I had been against using wax of any kind until my 2011 Mustang driver's window started squeaking against the rubber channel each time the window was lowered, which was twice a day to badge in and out the gate where I work. No amount of cleaning would fix it, but synthetic wax did the trick. Application to the windshield not only silences the wiper blades, but enhances their performance. Being hydrophobic, the synthetic wax acts similarly to Rainex. I also find that I'm not having to change blades as often as I had been.

The frequency for scraping is dependent on your driving conditions. My wife's garaged kept car averages about 5,000 miles per year and scraping once a year is ok. My 4runner averages 48000 miles, parked in the driveway and spends 4 days a week at a chemical plant. I could scrape every week and it wouldn't be too much, but I only manage to do it about once a month (other things to do in life, right?)

White vinegar is an excellent means for cleaning the outside glass, but might want to keep it away from the inside, around tinting and defroster wires, since it is acetic acid.

I say give the synthetic wax a try and if it doesn't work for you, you can easily take it off with isopropyl alcohol.
 
I ignored the good advice of this forum and replaced my worn OEM blades with Michelins Stealths about 8 months ago. With winter frost issues driving me nuts with the Michelins, I finally got around to putting some refills in my OEM blades as described in this thread. The refills are cheap and the blades are so damn well designed - why mess with a good thing?

Tip of the hat to Antman for this thread.
 
Before I remove the wiper from the arm I first put a towel down to protect the glass. With the wiper off, the arm can fall and hit the glass possibly cracking it. Don't ask how I know this!

Ouch!

Sorry this happened to you but thanks for warning the rest of us.

Much great info in this thread, thanks to all for the tips. :thanks:
 
I realize this is bringing the thread back from its resting place, but figured it's probably one of the more appropriate places to post the question...

Has anyone else noticed the wiper blade insert refills aren't exactly easy to find anymore? I'm not seeing them as available from the usual suspects online anymore. Is it just because of the rainy season, or has Toyota decided to phase out the insert availability in favor of replacing the whole blade assembly?

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