🔧 Impreza - Front Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

You’ll remove the old wiper blades from the wiper arms and snap the new blades on. This restores clear visibility in rain and reduces streaking and chatter.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.25-0.5 hours

Assumption: Your Impreza uses the common J-hook style connector; blade lengths vary—match the new blades to the lengths printed on your old blades or measure them.

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Keep fingers clear of the hinge; the wiper arm spring is strong.
• ⚠️ Put a towel on the windshield; a dropped bare wiper arm can crack glass.
• ⚠️ Ignition OFF and wipers parked before starting.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Clean shop towel
• Tape (painters tape)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wiper blades - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the ignition OFF, and make sure the wipers are fully parked at the bottom of the windshield.
• If the hood edge blocks lifting the wiper arms, use Subaru’s “service position”: turn ignition ON, then OFF, then within 10 seconds move the wiper stalk to the single-wipe (MIST) position and release. The wipers should stop higher on the glass.
• Place a clean shop towel where the wiper arms could touch the windshield.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Protect the windshield

• Use a clean shop towel to cover the lower windshield area under each wiper arm.
• Use tape (painters tape) to lightly hold the towel in place if needed.

Step 2: Lift the wiper arm

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Carefully lift one wiper arm away from the windshield until it stays up.
• Tip: Do one side at a time.

Step 3: Remove the old wiper blade (J-hook style)

• Find the joint where the blade attaches to the arm (the “connector”).
• Press the small release tab on the connector using your thumb (no tool needed), then slide the blade down toward the base of the arm to unhook it.
• If it’s tight, wiggle the blade while keeping the tab pressed.
• Connector note: A “J-hook” is a J-shaped metal hook at the end of the arm that slides into the blade’s adapter.

Step 4: Install the new wiper blade

• Compare the new blade to the old blade for matching length before installing.
• Slide the new blade’s adapter onto the arm’s hook until it clicks/locks.
• Gently tug the blade to confirm it’s fully latched.

Step 5: Lower the wiper arm safely

• Carefully lower the wiper arm back onto the windshield using your hand.
• Do not let the arm “snap” down.

Step 6: Repeat for the other side

• Repeat Steps 2–5 for the other front wiper blade.
• Remove the clean shop towel and any tape (painters tape).

---

✅ After Repair

• Turn the ignition ON and run the front wipers on LOW for a few wipes.
• Use washer fluid and check for smooth wiping with no streaks and no skipping.
• If you used wiper service position, cycle the wipers OFF and let them park normally.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $30-$80 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $20-$50 (parts only)

You Save: $10-$30 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2-0.4 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.