1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

How to change Wiper Arm position?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by darkgiant, Mar 29, 2016.

  1. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi Folks!

    My 2004 Prius has its wiper arms currently sitting a bit higher than they usually are, we originally purchased the car like this, it isn't a big issue, just annoying as the previous owner purposelly used smaller wiper size so they don't obstruct the path and what not.

    Anywho, I want to replace the entire blade, but I want to buy the original size, thus adjusting the arms back to the normal position they are supposed to be in, does anyone know how I can do this? From my understanding in other vehicles, there usually is a screw that you loosen up, and than adjust the arm as you wish, just not sure if this is the case with the Prius.

    If anyone happens to know how to do this, and if proper diagrams are available, that would be great!

    Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sometimes it's just splines, and you place the arm where you want it as you slide it on.
     
  3. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for the super-fast response! haha, would you mind explaining what a spline is by any chance?
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    when you pull the arm off, the hub should have vanes around the outside. like a gear. and the inside of the arm has similar in a male to female situation. when you slide the arm over the hub, the splines lock it in that position. difficult without pictures.:)
     
  5. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Oh okay, would you happen to know how I would go about removing the arm, or the caps that seem to be covering those gears by any chance? I tried to prop it with my hands earlier today, but had no luck, I am assuming their must be a special way to properly disassemble the piece.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sorry, i've never done it. i'm sure someone will jump in who has, and probably with pics. or you can ask the parts guy at toyota when you buy the new one. all the best!(y)
     
  7. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Ah okay, no problem, thanks for the explanation! Just to clarify, would I need a new part when adjusting the arm? Or were you referring to the actual wiper blade? I was intending on getting whatever is on sale haha
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    no, i meant the wiper blade. you can buy cheap, there just won't be any advice. i'm sure someone here will have drawings and instructions in a few days.
     
  9. greasemonkey007

    greasemonkey007 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2013
    286
    104
    0
    Location:
    South Central Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I use a cordless impact with a socket to take the nuts off. I don't remember if it's a 12 or 14 mm socket. The driver side has 1 nut and the passenger side has 2. Just pull the arm up off of the shaft and rotate it slightly in the desired direction and put it back on. I like my wipers to lay flat at the bottom of the glass. Tighten them back up and you're done.
     
  10. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Would you mind elaborating how to remove the housing that are hiding the nut? I haven't been able to get around to that part yet, unfortunately

    UPDATE: I actually figured out what you meant by two bolts, I originally thought the arm was unable to be pulled, but it was just stuck in their. I than saw the driver side arm and when I wiggled the cap around, I just pulled it out and boom saw the bolt. I unscrewed the bolts with my ratchet, and than adjusted the arms, to the position they should be in, and BOOM, it is solid!

    This was so simple, it was just a matter of using more effort to pull out the cap and the arm that was just stuck their haha...
     
    #10 darkgiant, Apr 2, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2016
    bisco likes this.
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Usually the windshield has two small dots which show where the two wiper blade ends are supposed to be, when the wipers are parked.
     
  12. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2013
    287
    42
    2
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Yup, those dash like marks. That is where I parked the wipers. They work so much better now that I don't even think I need to change the blades anymore... I think the original position just was at a weird slant that when at specific speeds it may have altared the wiping of the blades, not sure. But I am still amazed nonetheless.