Wiper Blades and Arms:
1) Replace RX 300 Wiper Blades.
[Difficulty Level 1]
Someone asked when to change the wiper blades... Yup, after 3 years it is definitely time to replace. Check them at least each year, maybe twice a year (spring & fall). It's a cheap fix to comfort you on those long trips in the rain. It will take you approximately one minute each to remove the wiper holders from the vehicle considering it might be your first time. After removing the holder, then you can change the rubber blade.
Do the change when there is streaking or smearing. "You deserve a clean wipe."
The rubber blade can be replaced or the entire blade and metal/plastic holder (all the bits that clamp on the blade and move to conform to the surface of the glass) can be replaced for a higher price.
Stand up the wiper arm. Just pull it up away from the glass until it is pointing 90 degrees from the glass and sets into place - you can let it stand there by itself.
Decide if you need just the rubber blade replacements (typical). In either case you will need to take the holder mechanism off the wiper arm. There is a simple latch that fits in the end of the wiper arm. Undo that and you can inspect the entire wiper off of the vehicle.
As you move the blade holder up a bit from the arm (you can rotate it 90 deg so it looks like a Capital "T" on the end of the wiper arm), you will see the clip which you can push in toward the arm.
Push and hold the lock in toward the arm [1], while holding it in pull the holder down and out of the "U" shaped arm end [2]. It might be snug in the arm "U" shaped end. Wiggle it a bit while pulling down to slide it out.
Once you have removed the blade holder, study how it goes back together.
When you look at the blade in the holder you will notice the metal edges of the rubber blade. There are several types of holders and blades available. In the case shown here, the rubber blade and the metal edges are removed as one piece. However they are 3 individual pieces and will separate in your hand once removed from the holder. They can be easily reassembled. The rubber replacements on my stock holders are the "Wide" type. There are other replacement blades with squeeze clips on the rubber blade and some are made "Narrow" which will not fit this holder. Wide/Narrow refers to the width of the edge that slips into the holder fingers, as shown above (fingers holding the metal edges of the blade).
You can bend the blade to slide it back and wrestle it out of the first set of fingers. Bow the blade enough to free it from the first set of fingers on the holder.
Just slide the rubber and metal edges out of the holder.
The other end easily lets go of the blade when you slide it from the holder.
The rubber blade and metal strips can be bought at auto parts stores or major automotive departments in places like Walmart, etc. Look for the better brand - Anco or Bosch. Pay a little more and it will go a long way on a rainy day.
Assembly is exactly opposite of what is described here for disassembly.
The rear window wiper works the same. It is a little shorter - 16 inches. Measure to be sure of the size you need to buy or bring the old one into the autoparts store to match up! The rear wiper arm was known for not working well over the curved part of the glass (top). Lexus has increased the play (amount of bend allowed) in a newer wiper arm design. You might try your Lexus dealer for this part.
On My '99, the driver's side wiper is a 22 inch Wide, the passenger's side is a 20 inch Wide and the rear is a 16 inch Narrow. Check your vehicle as to what is currently installed.
Good Luck
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2) Wiper Arms:
[Level 2]
On rare occasions, one may want to adjust the angle of the wiper arm. For example, the rear window wiper may stop too low on the sheet metal body rather than the window glass. The arm can be adjusted by removing the nut holding it on and then pulling off the arm and repositioning it. Check to make sure the nut holding the motor shaft to the vehicle body is tight.
To get to the wiper arm nut, pull up on the black cover as in the pics.
