Front Wiper Blade; Operation; Removal; Installation - Chrysler Vehicle User Manual

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FRONT WIPER BLADE (Continued)
Each front wiper blade is secured by an integral
latching pivot block to the hook formation on the tip
of each front wiper arm, and rests on the glass near
the base of the windshield when the wipers are not
in operation (Fig. 15). The wiper blade consists of the
following components:
• Superstructure - The superstructure includes
several stamped steel bridges and links with claw
formations that grip the wiper blade element. Also
included in this unit is the latching, molded plastic
pivot block that secures the superstructure to the
wiper arm. All of the metal components of the wiper
blade have a satin black finish applied.
• Element - The wiper element or squeegee is the
resilient rubber member of the wiper blade that con-
tacts the glass.
• Flexor - The flexor is a rigid metal component
running along the length of each side of the wiper
element where it is gripped by the claws of the
superstructure.
All models have two 33-centimeter (13-inch) long
front wiper blades with non-replaceable rubber ele-
ments (squeegees). The wiper blades cannot be
adjusted or repaired. If faulty, worn, or damaged the
entire wiper blade unit must be replaced.

OPERATION

The wiper blades are moved back and forth across
the glass by the wiper arms when the wipers are
being operated. The wiper blade superstructure is
the flexible 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 that
may be encountered 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 ele-
ment is designed to be stiff enough to maintain an
even cleaning edge as it is drawn across the glass,
yet resilient enough to conform to the glass surface
and flip from one cleaning edge to the other each
time the wiper blade changes directions.

REMOVAL

NOTE: The notched end of the wiper element flexor
should always be oriented towards the end of the
wiper blade that is nearest to the wiper pivot.
(1) Lift the front wiper arm to raise the wiper
blade and element off of the glass.
FRONT WIPERS/WASHERS
(2) To remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm,
depress 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 formation on
the end of the arm (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16 Wiper Blade Remove/Install - Typical
1 - RELEASE TAB
(3) Extract the hook formation on the tip of the
wiper arm through the opening in the wiper blade
superstructure just 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.
(4) Gently lower the tip of the wiper arm onto the
glass.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: The notched end of the wiper element flexor
should always be oriented towards the end of the
wiper blade that is nearest to the wiper pivot.
(1) Lift the front wiper arm off of the windshield
glass.
(2) Position the front wiper blade near the hook
formation on the tip of the arm with the notched end
of the wiper element flexor 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 into
the hook (Fig. 16).
(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.
Latch engagement will be accompanied by an audible
click.
(5) Gently lower the wiper blade onto the glass.
8R - 15