🔧 Compass - Front Wiper Blade Replacement

You’ll remove the old wiper blades from the front wiper arms and snap on new blades. This is a quick job, but you must protect the windshield because the spring-loaded wiper arm can slap the glass if it slips.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key before starting.
• 🧤 Put a folded towel on the windshield under the wiper arm in case it slips.
• ⚠️ Never let the bare wiper arm snap onto the glass (it can crack the windshield).
• 🔎 If the wiper arm feels tight against the hood, don’t force it—use the “service position” method below.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Clean shop towel
• Small flathead screwdriver

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wiper blades (vehicle-specific fit) - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground and turn the ignition OFF.
• 🧽 Clean the windshield edge where the blades park.
• 🧺 Lay a clean shop towel on the windshield under each wiper arm.
• 🔧 If your wiper arms don’t lift high enough, try a “service position” first (steps below show both options).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Move the wipers to a safe position (if needed)

• Try to gently lift the driver wiper arm by hand.
• If the arm hits the hood or won’t lift enough, use this common Jeep method: turn ignition ON, then turn ignition OFF, then move the wiper stalk to a single-wipe “mist” position to park the blades up. If it doesn’t move, skip this method.
• Place a clean shop towel under the arm on the glass.

Step 2: Remove the old blade from the wiper arm

• Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield and hold it firmly.
• Look at the connector where the blade meets the arm.
• If it has a release tab/button: press the tab with your fingers (or gently with a small flathead screwdriver) and slide the blade off the arm.
• If it’s a J-hook style: rotate the blade perpendicular to the arm, then slide it down and out of the hook.
• Set the old blade aside and keep holding the arm so it can’t snap down.

Step 3: Install the new blade

• Compare the new blade to the old one so the connector style matches.
• Slide the new blade onto the arm until it clicks or locks.
• Gently tug on the blade to confirm it is fully latched.
• Lower the wiper arm slowly back onto the windshield (don’t drop it).

Step 4: Repeat for the other side

• Repeat Steps 2–3 for the passenger side.
• Keep the clean shop towel in place any time the arm is lifted.

Step 5: Test the wipers

• Remove the clean shop towel from the windshield.
• Turn ignition ON and spray washer fluid.
• Run the wipers on low speed and confirm no streaking, chattering, or loose blade movement.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Verify both blades wipe cleanly edge-to-edge.
• 💧 Top off washer fluid if needed and confirm the spray hits the glass.
• 🔎 If a blade chatters, re-check that it clicked/latched fully.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $40-$90 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $20-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $20-$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.

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🎯 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.