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      11-28-2011, 01:19 PM   #1
Jmanscotch
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Drives: '09 135i - 6MT SOLD
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Colorado Springs

iTrader: (6)

Basically the same DIY as for many BMWs, but figured I'd snap some quick pictures for reference anyhow.

Parts/tools needed:

- Two (2) OE Insert Refills - P/N 61-61-0-154-440 (as inserts, they're not side specific)
- Needle nose/regular pliers
- Cutters (nothing fancy, just enough cuttin surface to handle the inserts)

Notes:

Straight forward and easy DIY. As with any DIY when doing multiple matching items, work with one that way the second can be a visual reference if you find yourself questioning something.

The DIY took me about 15 minutes.

The inserts come at a default 26" in length and need to be trimmed to fit.

I found my favorite place for OE parts to have a great deal on them as usualy, TheBMWPartStore.com - $1.98 each side....now that beats the hell out of those crappy no-supsension, $25+ a pop, things at the auto parts store.

Removal:

I found that removing the wipers from the vehicle makes the replacement easiest (plus it was raining today).

The inserts are help in by two metal rails that use the main carrier arms to hold them inserted into the grooves on either side of the blade, while using one side of the setup to provide a system of locking them into place (as to not slide out of the carrier). Best explained by looking at your own blades.

Here is how one side of your wiper carrier should look; note that the metal rails are 'barbed' at one end, thus preventing the insert from sliding left or right.



To remove the insert, you will need to take your pliers and clamp down on the outward most set of barbs, thus squeezing the inside set in enough so they will slide outward past the wiper carriers arm, note the progress in the pictures below:




Now that the barbs have been moved past the last arm, you can simply slide the entire insert out of the carrier.

Replacement:

As mentioned, the parts break down into:

- Rubber insert
- Two (2) Metail barbed rails

When you've removed your insert as shown above, you'll then need to remove the two metal rails from your old rubber insert, they simply pull out of the grooves that are in the rubber insert.

Take note of the orginal position of the metal rails in the insert. The outside most barbs are there to hold the insert positioned in the wiper carrier, while the inside barbs are there to dig into and thus hold the rubber insert in place in relation to the metal rails.



With the metal rails out, take your new rubber insert and place the metal rails into the appropriate grooves, taking note that the appropriate groove is the outside most one (away from windshield contacting side) and that the barbed section of the metal rails should be lined up with one of the ends of the new rubber insert.

(Ends not lined up in photo, but it shows the appropriate groove location)



With the end of the metal rails (the barbed end) lined up with one of the existing ends of the 26" rubber insert, you will be able to see where the rubber overhangs past the end of the metal rails, as such:



You can now trim/cut down the excess rubber to fit close to the end of the metal rails (reminder: too much rubber insert is better than too little).

Now that you've trimmed the rubber to the correct length, you can begin to reinsert the blade into the carrier. Begin by inserting the end that doesn't contain the barbs. Make sure the metal rails are in the correct grooves, and feed the insert into the wiper carrier arms, noting that the arms grabbed the correct grooves and are not sliding into the groove that also holds the metal rails, as such:



Continue to feed the insert through the series of arms, taking time to insert and tuck the metal rails into the rubber inserts groove as you go.

You will get them all in and get back to a point where your barbs are the last thing to handle:



It shouldn't take much effort to tug the insert in a bit more, thus sliding the first set of barbs past the last wiper carrier arm, and leaving the arm resting in between both barbs, like originally found, then you're done.

Repeat for second wiper blade, replace on vehicle, enjoy a clear windshield!
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