Wiper inserts - I feel dumb

No, the inserts are replaceable. But, they take quite a tug to get the old ones out. I felt foolish the first time myself.

I have since gone to Bosch Evolution wipers and like them much better at highway speeds.

 

The instruction come with the replacement inserts. There is a bulge in the rubber and a metal retaining clip to hold the inserts in the end fingers of the wiper support structure.

JeffD

 

See John's site John's Stuff - Toyota Prius and more and click on Prius Info on the left. Then click on Wiper Blades. Good instructions and photos.

 

This is the note I left for myself last time -- hope it helps you

--
Bosche
OEM

Note trick to remove and replace rubber: four latches lie in a groove on the rubber strip. To remove, pull up on the rubber strip from the middle to free the last latch. Replace in reverse by threading the latch 3,2,1 and 4 last. Much easier to remove the assembly from the car rather than trying to fit the replacement in-situ.

|-----2--------3--------4

Back window rubber Toyota OEM: 85214-47010
replaced 8/2008 $3.47

 

I just replaced my inserts. There is a little trick I figured out to ease the "tug" (almost a "yank") needed to get the old blade out. Find the rubber locking side of the blade. Look closely with a magnifying glass and twist the rubber notch out from the grip of the claw that holds it. Do this on either side of the rubber notch, and the old blade easily slides out from the retaining claws.

Lee

 

Actually, the old inserts can be a royal PITA to remove. Sometimes they stick really good. Putting the new ones on you have to get the metal strips in *just* right or be prepared to scream the f-bomb at it

Once you change them a couple of times, you understand how to properly do it. This is one area that you really can learn only by experience

 

I use long-nose pliers to pull the insert end out of the blade claws. Pay attention to the way that the metal strips are positioned (with the notches facing inwards) so that they can be reinstalled the same way.

Although the front blades are reasonably easy to remove from the arms, the rear blade is not easy to remove. Rather than run the risk of breaking the blade, I will insert the rear refill with the blade installed on the arm.

Has anyone noticed that the Toyota inserts have date codes molded into the rubber? The code looks like a timeline, instead of a three or four digit code.