How Do I Fix Broken LX Windshield Wipers on a 1999 Ford Windstar?

The windshield wipers on a 1999 Ford Windstar are integral to maintaining visibility necessary to operate the minivan during inclement weather. While Ford Motor Company designed the wiper motor and arms to last the life of the Windstar, the windshield wipers themselves will require replacement at least once a year. If the wipers remain on the Windstar past their service life, the rubber portion of the blade will break loose, rendering the wipers useless. While there are no readily available parts for repairing the wipers, replacement windshield wipers are inexpensive and easy to install.

Things You'll Need

• New windshield wipers

Instructions

1. Lift the wiper arm off the windshield until it's standing perpendicular to the glass. Turn the windshield wiper so it's perpendicular to the arm. Push in the wiper retaining tab on the windshield wiper's hub and push the wiper down towards the windshield.

2. Slide the wiper back up the arm, fish the arm's retaining hook through the center of the wiper and remove the wiper from the arm. Discard the old wiper.

3. Slide the new wiper over the end of the wiper arm. Align the wiper arm hook and the new windshield wiper's hub and pull the wiper back up into the hook until the retaining tab clicks into place. Set the wiper arm and windshield wiper back down onto the windshield gently.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 on the other windshield wiper if necessary.

References

• "Ford Windstar Mini-Vans 1995 thru 2003 and Freestar and Mercury Monterey 2004 thru 2007: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 2007