Replace & Refill Car Wiper Rubber Blade Aerotwin

Instructions how to replace the rubber on a car wiper blade with refills. It applies to blades equipped with an Aerotwin adapter or a similar one.

The wiper blade comprises two metal strips hold together by plastic braces on each side and an adapter in the centre. While there are variations in the braces and adapters, they all share the common feature of metal strips.

1. Refills - the ones I used are 6mm wide and 11mm high.
2. Pliers, flat screwdriver and/or prying tools, cutters.

To remove the plastic adapter, first remove the plastic braces on each side of the wiper blade. These braces fit tightly onto the metal strips. Different adapters and braces exist. If your adapter has braces with pins (refer to my previous instructions “Adjust Length Car Wiper Blade Aerotwin” for removal). I used a squeeze trick instead of prying with the ones I got without pins.

Grab a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the two flat metal spring bands together. Don’t squeeze too close to the brace initially; closer applies more force. This squeezing forces the plastic brace to deform. While holding the squeeze on the metal bands, use your other hand to slide the plastic cap straight outward from the frame. This caused a slight deformation or damage to the plastic but isn’t critical. It makes removal much easier and the cap remains fully functional.

Once the cap/brace are off on both sides, pull the old rubber out from the sides towards the centre/adapter, then pull it down. Finally, remove the adapter.

Assemble the wiper blade by first installing the adapter and then the braces on each side.

Tip: When cutting your new rubber refills, cut them slightly longer than the old ones. So you will be able to adjust the exact right size during assembly by cutting excess if needed.

Important Note: Leave a small gap between the rubber and brace - I left 2-3mm. When the wiper arm presses the blade flat against your curved windscreen, the metal rails flex and flatten out. This movement will actually cause the metal rails to slide slightly further into the cap, closing up some of that gap automatically. It also leaves just enough breathing room so the rubber doesn't bind up or buckle inside the track when the temperature changes.