🔧 Kicks - Front Wiper Blade Replacement

Replacing the front wiper blades on your Kicks is a quick job that restores clear visibility and reduces streaking and chatter. You’ll remove the old blades from the wiper arms (the metal arms that hold the blades) and snap the new ones on.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.2-0.4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Keep a firm grip on the wiper arm—it's spring-loaded and can snap back and crack the windshield.
• 🧊 Do not replace wipers on a hot, dry windshield; it can scratch easier.
• 🔌 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Clean shop towel
• Masking tape

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wiper blade (driver side) - 26" - Qty: 1
• Front wiper blade (passenger side) - 14" - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground and turn the ignition OFF.
• Use a clean shop towel to wipe dirt off the glass near the blades.
• Put a strip of masking tape on the windshield under each blade’s resting area. This helps protect the glass if a wiper arm snaps down.
• If the wiper arms won’t lift away from the windshield because of hood clearance, put the wipers into “service position” (blades parked higher on the glass) using the steps below.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Set the wipers so you can lift the arms

• With the ignition OFF, try to gently lift each wiper arm up. Use mechanic gloves for grip.
• If the arms lift up normally, skip to Step 2.
• If they hit the hood and won’t lift, use this common Nissan service-position method: turn ignition ON, then OFF, then quickly move the wiper stalk to the single-wipe (MIST) position a couple of times. Use safety glasses and keep hands clear as the arms move.
• If it doesn’t move, tell me what happens.

Step 2: Lift the driver-side wiper arm safely

• Lift the driver-side wiper arm up off the glass. Use mechanic gloves.
• Place a folded clean shop towel under the arm area as extra windshield protection.

Step 3: Remove the old driver-side blade

• Look where the blade connects to the arm. Most blades use a J-hook (a hook-shaped end of the arm that the blade slides onto).
• Press the small release tab on the blade connector using your fingers (gloves on), then slide the blade down and off the hook.
• If it’s stuck, wiggle the blade while keeping the arm steady. Use mechanic gloves to avoid pinching.

Step 4: Install the new driver-side blade

• Unpack the new 26" blade and confirm the connector matches the arm style (most snap directly onto the J-hook).
• Slide the new blade onto the hook until it clicks/locks. Use mechanic gloves.
• Gently tug the blade to confirm it’s locked in place.

Step 5: Repeat for the passenger-side blade

• Lift the passenger-side arm and remove/install the blade the same way. Use mechanic gloves.
• Install the new 14" passenger blade and confirm it clicks in.

Step 6: Lower the arms carefully

• Lower each wiper arm back onto the windshield slowly—do not let it slap down. Use mechanic gloves.
• Remove the masking tape and the clean shop towel.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Turn ignition ON and run the front wipers on LOW with washer fluid for 2–3 wipes.
• Check for streaking, skipping, or one side not wiping (usually means the blade didn’t fully click in).
• Re-check that both blades are seated and locked by gently tugging on each. Use mechanic gloves.

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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.