🔧 Front Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

Replacing the front wiper blades on your Explorer is a quick maintenance job. Fresh blades restore visibility in rain and reduce streaking, chatter, and missed spots on the windshield.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.2-0.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Turn the ignition off and make sure the wipers are fully parked before starting.
• Keep the wiper arms under control so they do not snap back onto the glass.
• If the arm springs up without a blade installed, protect the windshield with a towel.
• No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• None
• Clean towel
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front wiper blade - Driver: 26" - Qty: 1
• Front wiper blade - Passenger: 22" - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Turn the ignition off.
• Lift one wiper arm at a time so you do not mix up the blades.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the wiper arm

• Lift the driver-side wiper arm away from the windshield until it stays in the raised position.
• Move slowly so the arm does not snap back.

Step 2: Remove the old blade

• Use your hand to press the small release tab on the blade adapter.
• Slide the blade downward off the wiper arm hook.
• If it sticks, wiggle it gently while keeping pressure on the release tab.

Step 3: Install the new driver-side blade

• Use the new 26-inch front wiper blade and line up the connector with the wiper arm hook.
• Slide it into place until you hear or feel a click.
• Pull lightly on the blade to confirm it is locked in.

Step 4: Repeat on the passenger side

• Lift the passenger-side wiper arm.
• Remove the old blade the same way.
• Install the new 22-inch front wiper blade and make sure it locks securely.

Step 5: Lower the wiper arms carefully

• Place a towel on the windshield if needed.
• Lower each arm gently back onto the glass.
• Make sure both blades sit flat and are not twisted.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the ignition on and test the wipers at low speed.
• Check for smooth movement, streaking, or chatter.
• If a blade skips, make sure it is fully locked onto the arm.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $25-$55 (parts only)

You Save: $35-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2-0.5 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.