Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual page 584

AN
WIPER BLADE (Continued)
include an anti-lift feature. The wiper blades cannot
be adjusted or repaired. If faulty, worn, or damaged
the entire wiper blade unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The wiper blade is moved back and forth across the
glass by the wiper arms when the wipers are being
operated. The wiper blade superstructure is the flex-
ible frame that grips the wiper blade element and
evenly distributes the force of the spring-loaded
wiper arm along the length of the element. The com-
bination of the wiper arm force and the flexibility of
the superstructure makes the element conform to
and maintain proper contact with the glass, even as
the blade is moved over the varied curvature found
across the glass surface. The wiper element flexor
provides the claws of the blade superstructure with a
rigid, yet flexible component on the element which
can be gripped. The rubber element is designed to be
stiff enough to maintain an even cleaning edge as it
is drawn across the glass, but resilient enough to
conform to the glass surface and flip from one clean-
ing edge to the other each time the wiper blade
changes directions.
REMOVAL
NOTE: The driver side and passenger side wiper
blades are not interchangeable. The driver side
wiper blade has an extra bridge and eight pairs of
claws securing the wiper element. The passenger
side wiper blade has six pairs of claws securing the
wiper element. The notched retainer end of both
wiper elements should always be oriented towards
the end of the wiper blade that is nearest to the
wiper pivot.
(1) Turn the wiper control knob on the end of the
multi-function switch control stalk to the On posi-
tion. Cycle the wiper blades to a convenient working
location on the windshield by turning the ignition
switch to the On and Off positions.
(2) Lift the wiper arm to raise the wiper blade and
element off of the glass.
(3) To remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm,
push the pivot block latch release tab under the tip
of the arm and slide the blade away from the tip
towards the pivot end of the arm far enough to dis-
engage the pivot block from the hook (Fig. 10).
(4) Extract the hook formation on the tip of the
wiper arm from the opening in the wiper blade
superstructure ahead of the wiper blade pivot block/
latch unit.
CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring
back against the glass without the wiper blade in
place or the glass may be damaged.
WIPERS/WASHERS
Fig. 10 Wiper Blade Remove/Install - Typical
1 - RELEASE TAB
(5) Gently lower the wiper arm tip onto the glass.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: The driver side and passenger side wiper
blades are not interchangeable. The driver side
wiper blade has an extra bridge and eight pairs of
claws securing the wiper element. The passenger
side wiper blade has six pairs of claws securing the
wiper element. The notched retainer end of both
wiper elements should always be oriented towards
the end of the wiper blade that is nearest to the
wiper pivot.
(1) Lift the wiper arm off of the windshield glass.
(2) Position the wiper blade near the hook forma-
tion on the tip of the arm with the notched retainer
for the wiper element oriented towards the end of the
wiper arm that is nearest to the wiper pivot.
(3) Insert the hook formation on the tip of the
wiper arm through the opening in the wiper blade
superstructure ahead of the wiper blade pivot block/
latch unit far enough to engage the pivot block with
the hook (Fig. 10).
(4) Slide the wiper blade pivot block/latch up into
the hook formation on the tip of the wiper arm until
the latch release tab snaps into its locked position.
(5) Gently lower the wiper blade onto the glass.
WIPER MODULE
DESCRIPTION
The wiper module is secured with screws through
four rubber grommet-type insulators to the cowl ple-
num panel and concealed within the cowl plenum
area beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. The
ends of the wiper pivot shafts that protrude through
dedicated openings in the cowl plenum cover/grille
panel to drive the wiper arms and blades are the
only visible components of the wiper module. The
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