RAM 2500 Van V8-5.9L VIN Z (1997)
Wiper Blade: Service and Repair
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
The wiper blade and element are an anti-lift design, so as to resist the effects of air lifting the blade and element off the windshield glass in high winds
or at highway speeds. However, in order for this feature to be effective, the wiper blades and elements must be properly oriented on the windshield.
Wiper Blade And Element Remove/Install
Note that the center bridge of the wiper arm has a long leading edge, and a shorter trailing edge. when the wipers are in the Park position, the leading
edge of the wiper blade must always be oriented towards the base of the windshield. Also note that the pinch-release for the wiper element should
always be oriented towards the end of the wiper blade that is nearest to the wiper pivot.
To remove and install the wiper blade and/or element, proceed as follows:
1. Turn the wiper/washer switch to the On position. By turning the ignition switch to the On and Off positions, cycle the wiper blades to a convenient
working location on the windshield.
2. Lift the wiper arm to raise the wiper blade and element off of the windshield glass.
3. Remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm, or the wiper element from the wiper blade as follows:
a. To remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm, depress the locking spring, located in the release slot of the wiper blade center bridge, with a
small screwdriver blade.
b. To remove the wiper element from the wiper blade, pinch the notched (pivot) end of the wiper element tightly between the thumb and
forefinger. Then, pull the element firmly towards the wiper pivot to release the wiper blade claws from the wiper element retaining pockets.
Once the claws are released from the retaining pockets, the element will slide easily out of the remaining claws.
4. Install the wiper blade on the wiper arm, or the wiper element in the wiper blade as follows:
a. To install the wiper blade on the wiper arm, insert the wiper arm pin into the hole on the leading (bottom) edge side of the wiper arm center
bridge. Be certain that the wiper arm pin is inserted fully into the blade, so that the locking spring in the blade center bridge engages the
shouldered section of the wiper arm pin.
b. To install the wiper element in the wiper blade, be certain that the metal element rails are properly seated in both sides of the element. Starting
at the wiper pivot end of the blade, slide the element through the six wiper blade claws. The element is fully installed when the claws on the
wiper pivot end of the blade are engaged in the wiper element retaining pockets.
