🔧 Explorer - Front Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

Your Explorer uses a 26-inch driver-side blade and a 22-inch passenger-side blade. Each blade locks onto its wiper arm with an adapter, which is the small connector supplied with the blade.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the ignition off before lifting the wiper arms.
• ⚠️ Replace one blade at a time so the correct sizes do not get mixed up.
• ⚠️ Place a folded towel against the glass. A bare wiper arm can snap down and crack the windshield.
• ⚠️ Do not operate the wipers while either arm is raised.
• 🔋 Battery disconnection is not required.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Medium microfiber towel
• Nitrile work gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wiper blade, driver side, 26-inch - Qty: 1
• Front wiper blade, passenger side, 22-inch - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Explorer on level ground and switch the ignition completely off.
• 📏 Match each new blade to the old blade before installation.
• 🧩 Verify that the adapter supplied with each blade is labeled for a conventional J-hook wiper arm. A J-hook is the curved end of the metal arm.
• 🧼 Clean loose dirt from the windshield with the medium microfiber towel.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Protect the Windshield

• Put on the nitrile work gloves and safety glasses.
• Use the medium microfiber towel to cover the glass directly below the driver-side blade.

Step 2: Raise the Driver-Side Wiper Arm

• Lift the driver-side wiper arm away from the windshield by hand.
• Stop when the arm holds itself upright. Do not force it beyond its normal travel.
• Keep one hand controlling the arm.

Step 3: Remove the Driver-Side Blade

• Rotate the old blade until it sits nearly perpendicular to the metal arm.
• Use your gloved thumb to press the blade adapter's release tab.
• While holding the tab, slide the blade downward toward the open end of the J-hook.
• Guide the hook through the adapter opening and remove the blade.
• Gently rest the bare arm on the medium microfiber towel. Do not let it strike the glass.

Step 4: Install the 26-Inch Driver-Side Blade

• Use your gloved hands to position the new 26-inch blade with its rubber edge facing the windshield.
• Feed the J-hook through the adapter opening.
• Pull the blade upward into the hook until the adapter clicks into place.
• Tug the blade gently by hand to confirm it is locked.
• No fastener is used, so there is no torque specification.

Step 5: Lower the Driver-Side Wiper

• Use both gloved hands to lower the arm slowly onto the windshield.
• Make sure the rubber wiping edge sits flat against the glass.

Step 6: Replace the Passenger-Side Blade

• Move the medium microfiber towel under the passenger-side wiper arm.
• Raise the arm by hand and rotate the old blade across the arm.
• Use your gloved thumb to press the adapter release tab, then slide the blade out of the J-hook.
• Use your gloved hands to install the new 22-inch blade. Pull it into the hook until it clicks.
• Tug the blade gently to verify the lock, then lower the arm slowly.
• No fastener is used, so there is no torque specification.

Step 7: Check Both Installations

• Use your gloved hands to confirm both adapters are fully seated.
• Check that the 26-inch blade is on the driver side and the 22-inch blade is on the passenger side.
• Remove the medium microfiber towel from the windshield.

---

✅ After Repair

• 💧 Spray windshield-washer fluid and operate the wipers at low speed.
• 👀 Confirm both blades move smoothly without striking each other or the windshield trim.
• 🔍 Check for missed areas, chatter, streaking, or an adapter that shifts on the arm.
• 🧼 If streaking remains, switch the ignition off and wipe the rubber edges with the clean medium microfiber towel.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹2,000-₹4,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹1,200-₹3,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹800-₹1,500 by doing it yourself!

Local labor and blade prices vary by brand. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2-0.3 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.