Dodge Nitro. Manual — part 976

Fig. 35: Front Wiper Blade
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

Each front wiper blade is secured by an integral latching pivot block (2) to the hook formation on the tip of each
wiper arm, and rests on the glass near the base of the windshield when the wipers are not in operation. The
wiper blade consists of the following components:



Superstructure (1) - The superstructure includes several stamped steel bridges and links with claw
formations (4) that grip the wiper blade element. Also included in this unit is the latching, molded plastic
pivot block that secures the superstructure to the wiper arm. On vehicles manufactured for export
markets, the driver side front wiper blade has an additional molded black plastic airfoil secured to the
superstructure, which is oriented toward the base of the windshield when the front wipers are in their
parked position. All of the metal components of the wiper blade have a satin black finish applied.



Element (3) - The wiper element or squeegee is the resilient rubber member of the wiper blade that
contacts the glass.



Flexor - The flexor is a rigid metal component running along the length of each side of the wiper element
where it is gripped by the claws of the superstructure.

All vehicles have interchangeable windshield wiper blades with non-replaceable rubber elements (squeegees),
except those export vehicles with an airfoil on the wiper blade superstructure. The blades are 47.50 centimeter
(18.70 inch) long. The wiper blades cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if ineffective, worn, or damaged the
entire wiper blade unit must be replaced.

REAR WIPER BLADE

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

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

Fig. 36: Rear Wiper Blade
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

The rear wiper blade is secured by an integral pivot pin (2) to the latch formations on the underside of the tip of
the rear wiper arm, and rests near the top of the lift glass when the rear wiper system is not in operation. The
rear wiper blade consists of the following components:



Superstructure (1) - The superstructure includes a molded black plastic bridge and plastic links with
claw formations that grip the wiper blade element. Also included in this unit is the molded plastic pivot
pin that secures the superstructure to the wiper arm.



Element (4) - The wiper element or squeegee is the resilient rubber member of the wiper blade that
contacts the glass.



Flexor (3) - The flexor is a rigid metal component running along the length of each side of the wiper
element where it is gripped by the claws of the superstructure.

The rear wiper blade is 26.00 centimeters (10.24 inches) long with a replaceable element (squeegee). The wiper
blade superstructure cannot be adjusted or repaired. If ineffective, worn or damaged the entire wiper blade unit
must be replaced.

OPERATION

FRONT WIPER BLADE

The wiper blades are moved back and forth across the glass by the wiper arms when the wipers are being
operated. The wiper blade superstructure is the flexible frame that grips the wiper blade element and evenly
distributes the force of the spring-loaded wiper arm along the length of the element. The combination of the
wiper arm force and the flexibility of the superstructure makes the element conform to and maintain proper
contact with the glass, even as the blade is moved over the varied curvature that may be encountered across the
glass surface.

The wiper element flexor provides the claws of the blade superstructure with a rigid, yet flexible component on
the element which can be gripped. The rubber element is designed to be stiff enough to maintain an even

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

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

cleaning edge as it is drawn across the glass, yet resilient enough to conform to the glass surface and flip from
one cleaning edge to the other each time the wiper blade changes directions. The airfoil used on the driver side
wiper blade of vehicles manufactured for certain markets is designed to reduce the lifting effect caused by air
moving over the vehicle at higher highway speeds.

REAR WIPER BLADE

The rear wiper blade is moved back and forth across the glass by the wiper arm when the rear wiper system is in
operation. The wiper blade superstructure is the flexible frame that grips the wiper blade element and evenly
distributes the force of the spring-loaded wiper arm along the length of the element. The combination of the
wiper arm force and the flexibility of the superstructure makes the element conform to and maintain proper
contact with the glass, even as the blade is moved over the varied curvature found across the glass surface.

The wiper element flexor provides the claws of the blade superstructure with a rigid, yet flexible component on
the element which can be gripped. The rubber element is designed to be stiff enough to maintain an even
cleaning edge as it is drawn across the glass, but resilient enough to conform to the glass surface and flip from
one cleaning edge to the other each time the wiper blade changes directions.

STANDARD PROCEDURE

REAR WIPER ELEMENT REPLACEMENT

Fig. 37: Rear Wiper Element Replacement
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Remove the rear wiper blade (3) from the wiper arm. See REMOVAL.

2. Grasp one of the wiper blade links (4) firmly with one hand, and grasp the wiper element (1) and flexors

(2) midway between the two links with the other hand.

3. Pull the element and flexor away from the blade far enough to disengage them from the end pair of claws

(5) of one link.

4. Slide the element and flexor toward the loose end to disengage them from the remaining sets of claws.

5. Reverse this process to install a new element and flexors into the wiper blade.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

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

6. Reinstall the wiper blade onto the wiper arm. See INSTALLATION.

REMOVAL

REAR WIPER BLADE

Fig. 38: Rear Wiper Blade
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1. Remove the rear wiper arm (2), wiper blade and element (1) from the vehicle as a unit. See REMOVAL.

2. To remove the blade from the arm, swing the end of the wiper blade nearest to the wiper motor away

from the wiper arm to its travel limit.

3. Now press the end of the wiper blade nearest to the wiper motor away from the wiper arm against its stop

far enough to unsnap the wiper blade pivot pin from the latch features on the underside of the wiper arm.

FRONT WIPER BLADE

CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring back against the glass without the

wiper blade in place or the glass may be damaged.

CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring back against the glass without the

wiper blade in place or the glass may be damaged.

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T

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