Wiper Blade Change

[westwind77]

Ok, so this is embarrassing....how do you change the wiper blade on our 4R's?! Not just the rubber piece, but the whole assembly unit? I cannot count the number of times I have swapped blades on Ford's, Dodge's, Mazda's, and on, but for the life of me I can not get the blade assembly to release from the metal arm! Most have a little tab or release point which you can push or put pressure on which released the clip or tension and you just slide the blade out then pop the new one i (using any adapters needed).

I promise my next question will not be asking for a 'lift' into my 4R!

 

[desertred]

Our's does too. Look on the top of the wiper blade. There is a tab (~1" x 3/8") just to the left of where the metal arm meets the blade. Pull up on that tab from the center, next to where the arm meets the blade. Once the tab is lifted, grab ahold of the blade assembly and push the unit toward the left side of the vehicle (I tried this using the passenger side wiper blade). The blade assembly should slide off of the "hook" of the metal wiper arm.

 

[Jtraskell]

On the top of the wiper blade, there looks like "two" covers over the connection of the blade to the arm. I am working with the drivers side.
The cover, farthest away from you, flips up, from the center of the blade arm, towards the passenger side. Once you flip that one up, the blade assembly slides right off.....let me know if you need a photo.

Be safe.

 

[westwind77]

Thanks! Well that was..umm..simple! That section that you 'flip up', I was pressing down to try to release before. I've never seen a set-up like that nor would have ever guessed it flipped up. Blades are changed now though! I guess you get advanced engineering when you buy foreign over domestic

 

[Davemon]

Thanks for the info:hatsoff:. Armed with this knowledge, I'm going to swap mine out this weekend.

 

[RubiconSS]

I find the wiper design on the T4R ( I asssume ALL Gen5) impressive.
Best wiper I have seen in awhile.

 

[Intruder]

I find the wiper design on the T4R ( I asssume ALL Gen5) impressive.
Best wiper I have seen in awhile.

I'm pretty happy with mine. Last winter my blades were worn out and I had read good reviews about one of the RainX (Lattitude?) wipers so I replaced them with those. They barely worked and would make a whistling sound at highway speeds. After a few weeks I got replacement blades for the OEM assemblies and tossed the RainX ones in the garbage.

 

[RubiconSS]

Same. Tried some fancy ones for my FjCruiser (three blades) ended up tossing them. These T4R OEM's are a neat design.

 

[Jtraskell]

Front blades aside, (I agree, they are great), I wish Yoda would have had as much brain effort in the rear wiper.....not the blade, but the motor. It sucks.

 

[vicpick58]

I find the wiper design on the T4R ( I asssume ALL Gen5) impressive.
Best wiper I have seen in awhile.

I bought my TE in April here in central California and have put a little over 18,000 miles on it. Believe it or not, I have not had a chance to use the wipers yet other than just to wipe away a few light sprinkles.

Of course did have to have the cracked windshield replaced after only a few weeks, and the replacement windshield has gotten a few chips, but no cracks yet.

On previous vehicles, I have always bought new wiper blades in October to be ready for the winter rains.

Do you guys think that even though I have not used them, it would be a good idea to replace the blades on this 4Runner since they may have dried out and stiffened over the long hot summer?

I assume that since you guys seem to think the OEM blades are best that I have to get them at the dealer, is that correct?

 

[AnthonyMV]

I like the lights on. So.....

On the top of the wiper blade, there looks like "two" covers over the connection of the blade to the arm. I am working with the drivers side.
The cover, farthest away from you, flips up, from the center of the blade arm, towards the passenger side. Once you flip that one up, the blade assembly slides right off.....let me know if you need a photo.

Be safe.

Pictures would be nice

 

[RubiconSS]

I find the Best indicator of need for replacement is Use them and see how they perform. No hard and fast rule on how long it takes for them to lose their functionality. Plenty of "online" dealers to check first (I find SparksTRD to have good prices) then you can ask your dealer to match or lose the business.
God Bless you guys in Cali and your weather (-: use the hose and see.

 

[Davemon]

Front blades aside, (I agree, they are great), I wish Yoda would have had as much brain effort in the rear wiper.....not the blade, but the motor. It sucks.

The motor may suck, it's true. But what really pisses me off is the horrible coverage area the wiper can reach on the back window. It infuriates me every time I use it. This is really the only beef I have with my 4runner. Why couldn't they just do it like the Sequoia?

 

[RubiconSS]

The motor may suck, it's true. But what really pisses me off is the horrible coverage area the wiper can reach on the back window. It infuriates me every time I use it. This is really the only beef I have with my 4runner. Why couldn't they just do it like the Sequoia?

Probably because Sequoia owners would *****. I would love it if my T4R LE would do everything the LandCruiser and Sequuia did but that's not the way it works. I'd be P!$$ed if I bought one of those rigs and the 4runner shared functionality. Just sayin'.....

 

[Antman]

Do you guys think that even though I have not used them, it would be a good idea to replace the blades on this 4Runner since they may have dried out and stiffened over the long hot summer?

They shouldn't be dried out. Clean them with some alcohol wipes, clean your windshield and test them out while someone hoses the windshield down. Bet they work fine!

I have had 12 new vehicles (including my Wife's). These are the best wipers by far! I will be purchasing the factory wipers when these wear out for sure.

 

[Davemon]

Probably because Sequoia owners would *****. I would love it if my T4R LE would do everything the LandCruiser and Sequuia did but that's not the way it works. I'd be P!$$ed if I bought one of those rigs and the 4runner shared functionality. Just sayin'.....

I see your overall point, but wipers? Really? Not many folks even think of them, unless they suck balz. I don't think Sequioa owners would begrudge us their wiper design. But I've been wrong before:hiding:

 

[Davemon]

I guess what I'm sayin is there's a lot more to "sharing functionality" than wipers. I mean, it's like crabbing about the similarity of the door handle design, or *****ing about floormats.

 

[RubiconSS]

I see your overall point, but wipers? Really? Not many folks even think of them, unless they suck balz. I don't think Sequioa owners would begrudge us their wiper design. But I've been wrong before:hiding:

I think ther is some benefit to Toyota for cross-polenating the technology and that would benefit us. As for the rear wiper. I think I have used mine 3 times in 20 years but maybe thats just me.

 

[Jtraskell]

When I say the motor, I meant the gearing contained within, which does not do the job, A wiper that only spans 2/3rd of the rear glass....common. Yoda can do better then that. Can't believe a few more gear teeth costs that much more.....

"Cross- pollinating technology"? Really? All I am asking is for a rear wiper that cleans off the window, not just part of it. And during the rainy season down here, I use it often. I don't consider all vehicles which have brakes that work, or a transmission which works as a transfer of technology. I expect those things to work as part of the vehicle. I do not think a proper working rear windshield wiper too much to ask....but, I could be considered greedy I guess....be safe.

 

[RubiconSS]

When I say the motor, I meant the gearing contained within, which does not do the job, A wiper that only spans 2/3rd of the rear glass....common. Yoda can do better then that. Can't believe a few more gear teeth costs that much more.....

"Cross- pollinating technology"? Really? All I am asking is for a rear wiper that cleans off the window, not just part of it. And during the rainy season down here, I use it often. I don't consider all vehicles which have brakes that work, or a transmission which works as a transfer of technology. I expect those things to work as part of the vehicle. I do not think a proper working rear windshield wiper too much to ask....but, I could be considered greedy I guess....be safe.

Yes really. Any accessory that works is one thing. Does it please everybody is another and what I read was "What is on the Sequoia" No. Moreover, Hell No.
IF I was buying a Sequoia OR a Land Cruiser it better have features and functionality unique and not shared with a rig $20-30k LESS $$. Not how it works. If something crosses from the Fj to the T4R is a different story and you wanna talk about a "Toy Story" rear wiper check out the Fj.