Parfait

hard to install...keeping them as a backup

I was able to replace the rear window wiper blade with the Trico 47-600 6mm Break to Fit Narrow Refill - 16" to 22" (Sold as Pair) on my 2006 Acura MDX without having to remove the entire arm, a job that is notoriously difficult to do since the arm itself is usually frozen to the wiper motor spindle as demonstrated on multiple YouTube videos.I was disappointed when the product showed up as there was just one rather than two blades in the Trico "blister" package even though the package was labeled as "Contains two refills". The good news is that Amazon remedied the problem immediately.The Acura MDX rear wiper blade (the part that sits on the glass) is 6mm wide and 18 3/4 inches long. The Trico blade is the correct width and can be trimmed done to the correct length. It is possible this repair could be done for a couple dollars less using just the rubber portion offered by other vendors, reusing the existing metal strips, rather than the complete assembly with the Trico product. I didn't have the time to experiment so I just tried the Trico.I was moving cautiously so the installation took about 45 minutes, but time to actually make the repair was something less than 10 minutes.I used a small wooden block to prop up the MDX's wiper arm (fig 1,2) as far at would go (which isn't far). While this is not required it makes the installation a little easier as you have both hands working on the blade rather than one holding the arm up.I used a pair of pliers to pull the blade free and slide it out of six "clips" positioned three apiece on two brackets (fig 3,4). Note that the first clip at the end of the blade where you grab it to pull there is a "mechanism" to help the blade stay put. With the old wiper blade that consisted of small indentations in the rubber part that "lock" the blade to the first clip. With the pliers it was easy to overcome the resistance and slide the blade out. The Trico blade uses prongs (fig 5) on the metal stiffeners rather than an indent in the rubber. While serving the same purpose, this type retaining mechanism might be a bit more stubborn to remove, perhaps requiring the first clip to be opened slightly.Cleverly, the Trico blade has three plastic retainers that keep the stiffeners inserted into each side of the blades rubber channels during the installation. They are handy but not necessary.Trico instructions suggest that you insert the blade as it comes out of the packaged all the way into the wiper arm as the retainers "pile" up on your end to be removed and discarded until the blade locks in place, then remove the end that sticks out by bending the metal back and forth until it breaks, and then cutting the rubber. That procedure will NOT work on the Acura with the arm installed on the vehicle, there is not room for the maneuver. Hence, you have to do minor surgery on the bench to remove the excess length before it is installed.For the Acura MDX you need to remove 2 3/4 inch's from each of the metal strips. This happened to be exactly 3 of the standard cutting locations indicated with cross-scoring on the strips (fig 7.) To shorten the blade, make sure that you select the end OPPOSITE the locking mechanism to make the trim. I slid the three retainers back a bit so that I could separate the metal and rubber (It is easy to reassemble if it falls apart.) I tentatively tried the recommended bending process but it didn't feel right so I used metal snips to make the cuts on each strip. Took a little effort but nothing dramatic. I inserted the strips back into the rubber channels and trimmed the rubber to fit the strips (fig 6), then re-spaced the retaining clips.To install in the arm, I slid the non-locking end of the finished blade into the first clip, then continued through the remaining five. You have to fiddle with the two arms that hold the clips a bit as they want to duck behind the wiper arm cover (fig 8,9,10). I used pliers to lightly tap the locking-end of the blade to insert it into the clip.

These wiper refills work very well. Adjusting the length was easy. I snapped-off the metal tensioner strips to the proper length. Then I cut the rubber about 1/4" longer with diagonal pliers. I much prefer this to having to try to inventory a bunch of different refill sizes!Beyond these steps, it was easy (or not so easy depending on your dexterity and facility with tools) to replace the existing rubber refills in my wiper blades. The hardest part of this job is removing the old refills. I find that large needle-nose pliers are very helpful for releasing the old refills. If you find this process too difficult then perhaps you should not be replacing your wiper blade refills? Have someone else do it for you, or buy replacement blades.Be sure to order the correct model for the cross-section of your blade.

Fits the back window of my Toyota Sienna. I had to dismantle the arm a bit to install this blade, but now that I know how, it would be easy to do again. I didn't want to buy a whole new assembly when all I needed was the blade. This is much ore cost effective. It would be nice if they would improve the instructions a bit, I had to resort to hunting on Youtube. Maybe Trico could put some videos on youtube themselves showing how it's done.So far, I've been using them through a lot of winter wet. The blade seems to be holding up just fine and cleans the window well. It hasn't had to deal with snow, but I think this is every bit as good as the ones from the dealer.

Purchased for 2007 Mazdaspeed 3. I've installed this style of wiper refill in the past with no problems. It really can be a piece of cake when done correctly and with a quality product.This is either a poorly made or poorly designed refill, or both. The instructions state to to "thread" it through the blade claws by pulling it. No combination of pulling, pushing, or both could get this through the claws without problems. There was so much resistance that one of the two metal strips in the refill shifted ahead of the other one and extended out past the rubber part. I had to pull the metal strip out with pliers, then pull the rubber back over both of them. Also, the bottom rubber lip kept popping out of claws as I worked it through, causing the rubber part to become bunched up. I had to keep poking the lip back under the claws in several places. This job took 45 minutes when it should have taken five. It felt like performing surgery.

The pandemic messed up my last order delivery, so I reordered through O'Reilly 'free store delivery' and saved a couple of bucks. I've tried a lot of wiper/blade brands over the decades, and Trico refills in the original OEM blades work the best. Best practice: Try cleaning the wipers and windshield to address streaking before replacing them.-I'm cheap so I move the Driver blade to the Passenger side, and replace just the Driver side with a new refill, when cleaning the wipers aren't doing it or the passenger wiper is falling apart. I carry a refill(s) in the truck 'cause it doesn't do one any good to be on the road and need a wiper when it's sitting at home. The metal strips never go bad, so at your choosing, you can remove them to optimize storage, and/or reuse them.-It's a perfect fit for my 2002 F150 (s-crew). I purchased a Trico refill a while ago for my wife's gen2 Prius which is well into it's 2nd year and is still working well w/o streaks or chattering. About the same time, I purchased PIAA silicone wiper blades for the f150 at about $20/EA. The PIAA's lasted a year before it started to chatter/streak - eff that!