Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Arm, Wiper: Description: Front
The front wiper arms are the rigid members located between the wiper pivots that protrude from the cowl plenum cover/grille panel near the base of the windshield and the wiper blades on the windshield glass. These wiper arms feature an over-center hinge that allows easy access to the windshield glass for cleaning.
The wiper arm has a die cast metal pivot end (3) with a large, internally tapered mounting boss (5) at one end. A molded black plastic flap (4) with an integral hinge and latch snaps over the pivot end to conceal the wiper arm retaining nut and the mounting hole following wiper arm installation.
The wide end of a tapered, stamped steel channel (2) hinges on and is secured with a hinge pin to the blade end of the wiper arm pivot end. One end of a long, rigid, stamped steel strap (1), with a small hole near its pivot end, is riveted and crimped within the narrow end of the stamped steel channel. The tip of the wiper blade end of this strap is bent back under itself to form a small hook (7). Concealed within the stamped steel channel is a long tension spring which is engaged with a wire hook (6) to the underside of the die cast pivot end and is hooked through a small hole in the steel strap. The entire wiper arm has a satin black finish applied to all of its visible surfaces.
The driver and passenger side wiper arms are not interchangeable. These arms have a letter DΒ (Driver) or PΒ (Passenger) cast into the lower surface of the pivot end to identify their proper locations. A wiper arm cannot be adjusted or repaired. If damaged or ineffective, the entire wiper arm unit must be replaced.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.