Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 974

6. Reconnect the front (5) and rear (4) washer hoses to the two barbed pump outlet nipples.

7. Reconnect the front end module wire harness connector (3) for the washer pump/motor unit to the

connector receptacle on the top of the motor housing.

8. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

9. Refill the washer reservoir with the washer fluid siphoned from the reservoir during the removal

procedure.

WASHER RESERVOIR

DESCRIPTION

WASHER RESERVOIR

The molded translucent plastic washer fluid reservoir is integral to the engine coolant overflow bottle. This unit
sits astride the top of the fan shroud at the front of the engine compartment, with the washer reservoir on the left
side of the shroud and the coolant overflow bottle on the right. A single washer fluid reservoir is used for both
the front and rear washer systems.

A bright yellow plastic filler cap with a rubber seal and an International Control and Display Symbol icon for
Windshield Washer and the text WASHER FLUID ONLY molded into it snaps over the open end of the
washer reservoir filler neck. The cap hinges on and is secured to a molded-in hook formation on the top of the
reservoir just behind the filler neck when it is removed for inspecting or adjusting the fluid level in the
reservoir.

There is a dedicated hole on the top of a sump area and an integral molded receptacle on the lower left facing
side of the reservoir provided for the mounting of the washer/pump motor unit. These features allow for
mounting of the washer pump/motor unit without the use of fasteners.

The washer reservoir is serviced only as a unit with the engine coolant reserve bottle. The washer reservoir
cannot be repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, the coolant reserve bottle/washer reservoir unit must be
replaced. The grommet seal/filter screen for the washer pump/motor unit and the filler cap are each available for
individual service replacement.

OPERATION

WASHER RESERVOIR

The washer fluid reservoir provides a secure, on-vehicle storage location for a large reserve of washer fluid for
operation of the front and rear washer systems. The washer reservoir filler neck provides a clearly marked and
readily accessible point from which to add washer fluid to the reservoir. The washer/pump motor unit is located
in a sump area near the bottom of the reservoir to be certain that washer fluid will be available to the pump as
the fluid level in the reservoir becomes depleted. The washer pump/motor unit is mounted above the lowest
position in the sump.

WIPER ARM

DESCRIPTION

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

REAR WIPER ARM

Fig. 28: Rear Wiper Arm
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

The rear wiper arm is the rigid member located between the rear wiper motor output shaft that protrudes
through the liftgate outer panel below the center of the liftgate glass opening and the wiper blade on the outside
of the glass. The wiper arm is constructed of molded black plastic. A hinged pivot end is also molded plastic.

A molded black plastic nut cover (1) with two pivot pins on one end and a snap feature on the other fits over the
wiper arm retaining nut to conceal the nut and mounting hole following wiper arm installation. The wiper arm
hinge and tension spring are concealed on the underside of the wide end of the arm (2), while integral latch
features (3) concealed on the underside of the narrow end of the wiper arm accept the pivot pin of the matching
molded plastic wiper blade unit.

The rear wiper arm cannot be adjusted or repaired. If damaged or ineffective, the entire wiper arm unit must be
replaced.

FRONT WIPER ARM

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

Fig. 29: Front Wiper Arm
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

The front wiper arms are the rigid members located between the wiper pivots that protrude from the cowl
plenum cover/grille panel near the base of the windshield and the wiper blades on the windshield glass. These
wiper arms feature an over-center hinge that allows easy access to the windshield glass for cleaning. The wiper
arm has a die cast metal pivot end (4) with a large tapered mounting hole (5) at one end. A molded black plastic
cap fits over the wiper arm retaining nut to conceal the nut and this mounting hole following wiper arm
installation.

The wide end of a tapered, stamped steel channel (3) hinges on and is secured with a hinge pin (6) to the blade
end of the wiper arm pivot end. One end of a long, rigid, stamped steel strap (2) with a small hole near its pivot
end is riveted and crimped within the narrow end of the stamped steel channel. The tip of the wiper blade end of
this strap is bent back under itself to form a small hook (1). Concealed within the stamped steel channel, one
end of a long tension spring is engaged with a wire hook on the underside of the die cast pivot end, while the
other end of the spring is hooked through the small hole in the steel strap. The entire wiper arm has a satin black
finish applied to all of its visible surfaces.

A wiper arm cannot be adjusted or repaired. If damaged or ineffective, the entire wiper arm unit must be
replaced.

OPERATION

REAR WIPER ARM

The rear wiper arm is designed to mechanically transmit the motion from the rear wiper motor output shaft to
the rear wiper blade. The wiper arm must be properly indexed to the motor output shaft in order to maintain the
proper wiper blade travel on the glass. The tapered hole in the wiper arm pivot end interlocks with the serrations
on the outer circumference of the tapered motor output shaft, allowing positive engagement and finite
adjustment of this connection.

A hex nut secures the wiper arm pivot end to the threads on the rear wiper motor output shaft and the plastic
cover snaps over this connection for a neat appearance. The spring-loaded wiper arm hinge controls the down-

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

force applied through the tip of the wiper arm to the wiper blade on the glass. The latch formation on the tip of
the wiper arm provides a cradle for securing and latching the wiper blade pivot pin to the wiper arm.

FRONT WIPER ARM

The front wiper arms are designed to mechanically transmit the motion from the wiper pivots to the wiper
blades. The wiper arm must be properly indexed to the wiper pivot in order to maintain the proper wiper blade
travel on the glass. The tapered mounting hole in the wiper arm pivot end interlocks with the serrations on the
tapered outer circumference of the wiper pivot shaft, allowing positive engagement and finite adjustment of this
connection.

The mounting nuts lock the wiper arms to the threaded studs of the wiper pivot shafts. The spring-loaded wiper
arm hinge controls the down-force applied through the tip of the wiper arm to the wiper blade on the glass. The
hook formation on the tip of the wiper arm provides a cradle for securing and latching the wiper blade pivot
block to the wiper arm.

REMOVAL

FRONT WIPER ARM

Fig. 30: Identifying Front Wiper Arms, Plastic Nut Cap, Nut & Wiper Alignment Lines
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Lift the front wiper arm (1) to its over-center position to hold the wiper blade off of the glass and relieve

the spring tension on the wiper arm to pivot shaft connection.

2. Carefully pry the plastic nut cap (2) off of the pivot end of the wiper arm.

3. Remove the nut (3) that secures the wiper arm to the wiper pivot shaft (4).

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro