GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

TOPIC: Replacing rear wiper blade insertDIFFICULTY LEVEL: (1 hammer = easy - 5 hammers = pro)TIME REQUIRED: Less than 10 minutesTOOLS REQUIRED: NonePARTS REQUIRED: Toyota replacement insert, P/N# 85214-12310 ($7.98 shipped for 2 inserts at http://www.brandsport.com)=================================================STEP 1: REMOVE WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY* Lift the wiper blade arm away from the window until it stands in the "service" position.* Turn the blade assembly 90 degrees counter-clockwise to disengage the assembly from the arm:* Now, simply lift the entire blade assembly out of the notch.STEP 2: REMOVE OLD INSERT* Note the three sets of tabs that hold the blade in place. Grab the blade between two sets of tabs, and pull outward to remove the blade from one set of end tabs. Them simply slide the entire insert out to separate it from the assembly.* There are two silver metal strips that are on each side of the blade. Remove these. You will reuse them. STEP 3: INSTALL NEW INSERT * Slide in the metal strips into the sides of the new insert. They do not "lock" in place or even hold tightly, so you may have to keep sliding them back into the insert as you reinstall the rubber to the assembly.* Note the arm assembly has two distinct sections. One stationary, and one hinged pivoting arm. I recommend sliding the new blade into the pivoting section first, as seen here: * Then, simply bend the blade and slide it into the third set of tabs. Be sure the tabs are not getting caught in the channel with the metal strips, but instead, are holding the blade down. The blade should slide freely back and forth within the assembly. STEP 4: REINSTALL THE BLADE ASSEMBLY * To reinstall the assembly on the wiper arm, simply connect the U-notch on the wiper arm to the small round crossbar within the wiper assembly. Then tilt the assembly back down (90 degrees clockwise) and push it to engage the clips that hold it in place.DONE!

Raging,This is awesome, thanks.Quick question...do the front blades work this way as well? Charlievibe.

Front blades are a bit different, I can do a quickie how to on replacing those if you like!

Great post bro! Very helpful

BTW -- You can also just replace the entire rear blade assembly if you wish. Available from brandsport for $10.68 shipped.http://www.brandsport.com/toy-85242-12090.html

Thanks Mike; replacing the whole assembly is more my speed. Actually, replacing the car when the wipers go bad is more my speed, he, he, he

Dammit man! You came up with this two days after I had to figure it out in the Pep Boys parking lot! Always me with the bad timing..! Very good stuff though, you did it exactly the way I ended up doing it!

Were you able to find the right size insert at the boys of pep?

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Were you able to find the right size insert at the boys of pep?Sorta...I think it was what, a 11 in.? I ended up buying the replacement wiper that would mount on a standard wiper thing..pulled the rubber off it, stole the metal parts from the stock wiper, and just basically changed out the rubber... It would've been nice if they just had the rubber itself, but.. Eh.

They sold one the right size though? I tried to replace it once and they said they didn't have anything under 16" or something...

I have an underlying motive for asking....back over the holidays, I went out and cleaned my wiper blades with alcohol wipes. As I was cleaning them, I noticed that they circled around very nicely and made the blades easier to clean off. Well, I circled them back around and thought everything was cool. Now, when I use the wipers, they kind of klunk at me and I was wondering if I had somehow loosened them.However, to answer your question, the next time you replace your front wipers, I would enjoy seeing how you do it so I can do mine. Thanks!

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »They sold one the right size though? I tried to replace it once and they said they didn't have anything under 16" or something...Yup, my receipt says it was a Trico II 11in. blade.

sure, this is an old post, but thanks for your help. I bought my replacement insert at a local Toyota dealer, two inserts cost $6.99 including tax!!

Just picked up a new insert from the local Toyota dealer ($2.43 each, plus tax) - thanks for the part number. The computer at AutoZone doesn't even show a rear wiper for the Vibe. The guy behind the counter looked at me like I was making it up that the Vibe has a rear wiper.

If you're really jonesin' for a rear blade... swap out your front blades with new ones... and cut one of them to size. Just use the metal from the old blade.Shazam, a slightly used but better than dead wiper blade.

i recently got a couple of inserts from the toyota dealer total for the 2 was less than $8.replaced one and gave the other to my Father-in-law.really easy to install!

Wow, you had the stones to go to the $tealer for anything? I bought the shortest insert I could from Murray's and cut it to length with my Dremel (it has a plastic backing), and I cleaned it up with an X-acto. It was like $6 for two inserts. Considering the one I'm replacing is 3 years old..not a bad deal!

I didn't find any short inserts and since most were all around the same price at Advanced Auto Parts, I just bought an insert that was at least twice the length of the small rear wiper. I then just removed the metal inserts on the long piece, measured the correct length of rubber and cut it. I then reused the original metal inserts and installed it. The $4 insert I bought (22", 24", forgot) will provide two rear wiper replacements!

Quote, originally posted by JustinVGT »I didn't find any short inserts and since most were all around the same price at Advanced Auto Parts, I just bought an insert that was at least twice the length of the small rear wiper. I then just removed the metal inserts on the long piece, measured the correct length of rubber and cut it. I then reused the original metal inserts and installed it. The $4 insert I bought (22", 24", forgot) will provide two rear wiper replacements! Justin, Thanks, I just did the same thing and cut a bigger wiper of the same type in half. It was a little tricky getting the metal insert off. I bought the kind of wipers that will hold in place best so shop carefully. The guys at Advanced Auto are very helpful if you show them the old wiper.