How to Pull the Windshield Wiper Arm for a 1996 Nissan Altima

Nissan released the Altima as a new mid-sized sedan in the 1993 model year. The 1996 Altima came in four trim levels, in ascending order they were: XE, GXE, SE and GLE. The 1996 Altima SE and GLE came standard with variably intermittent windshield wipers, while the XE and GXE trim levels came with only two-speed wipers. The wiper arm requires a special pulling tool to remove it from the Altima.

Instructions

1

Insert the blade of a flat-head screwdriver under the cap at the base of the wiper arm. Pry upward on the cap to remove it, exposing the wiper arm-to-pivot shaft nut.

2

Matchmark the wiper arm to the pivot shaft -- the toothed shaft the wiper arm attaches to -- using white marking paint, if you are putting the old arm back on the Altima.

3

Remove the wiper arm-to-pivot shaft nut, using a ratchet and socket. Position a battery terminal puller on the base of the wiper arm, so the claws grab under the base of the wiper arm and the screw touches the pivot shaft. Tighten the battery terminal puller to remove the wiper arm from the pivot shaft.

4

Remove the wiper blade from the arm by pressing the tab at the center of the wiper blade frame and pulling the blade from the arm. Position the center of the wiper blade frame in line with the hook in the new wiper arm, if applicable, and push the blade onto the arm until it clicks into place. Skip this step if you are reinstalling the old wiper arm.

5

Set the wiper arm on the pivot shaft, lining up the matchmark on the wiper arm with that on the pivot shaft, if installing the original wiper arm. If you are using a new wiper arm, use a tape measure to assure the correct distance between the base of the windshield and the center of the wiper blade -- 3/4 to 1-3/10 inches on the drivers side and 7/10 to 1-1/4 inches on the passenger's side. Once positioned correctly, push the wiper arm onto the pivot shaft.

6

Tighten the wiper arm-to-pivot shaft nut to 3 to 4 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket. Press the cap onto the base of the wiper arm.