Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 968

Fig. 5: Inspecting Wiper Blades 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The wiper blades and wiper arms should be inspected periodically, not just when wiper performance problems 
are experienced. This inspection should include the following points: 

1. Carefully inspect the wiper blades for any indications of worn or uneven edges (1), foreign material 

deposits (2), hardening or cracking (3), deformation or fatigue (4), or splitting (5). Inspect the wiper blade 
support components and the wiper arms for damage (6) or corrosion. If the wiper arms and blades are 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

  

contaminated with any foreign material, clean them and the glass as required. See CLEANING. If a 
wiper blade or arm is damaged, or if corrosion is evident, replace the affected wiper arm or blade with a 
new unit. Do not attempt to repair a wiper arm or blade that is damaged or corroded.  

2. Carefully lift the wiper blade off of the glass. Note the action of the wiper arm hinge. The wiper arm 

should pivot freely at the hinge, but with no lateral looseness evident. If there is any binding evident in 
the wiper arm hinge, or if there is evident lateral play in the wiper arm hinge, replace the wiper arm. 

3. Once proper hinge action of the wiper arm is confirmed, check the hinge for proper spring tension. 

Remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm. Either place a small postal scale between the blade end of 
the wiper arm and the glass, or carefully lift the blade end of the arm away from the glass using a small 
fish scale. On vehicles with unequal wiper arm lengths, be certain that measurements on both arms are 
taken at a point an equal distance from their wiper arm hinge pins. Compare the scale readings between 
the right and left wiper arms. Replace a wiper arm if it has comparatively lower spring tension, as 
evidenced by a lower scale reading.  

4. After cleaning and inspecting the wiper components and the glass, if the wiper blade still fails to clear the 

glass without smearing, streaking, chattering, hazing, or beading, replace the wiper blade.  

WASHER SYSTEM 

The washer system components should be inspected periodically, not just when washer performance problems 
are experienced. This inspection should include the following points: 

1. Check for ice or other foreign material in the washer reservoir. If contaminated, clean and flush the 

washer system. See CLEANING.  

2. Inspect the washer plumbing for pinched, leaking, deteriorated, or incorrectly routed hoses and damaged 

or disconnected hose fittings. Replace damaged or deteriorated hoses and hose fittings. Leaking washer 
hoses can sometimes be repaired by cutting the hose at the leak and splicing it back together using an in-
line connector fitting. Similarly, sections of deteriorated hose can be cut out and replaced by splicing in 
new sections of hose using in-line connector fittings. Whenever routing a washer hose or a wire harness 
containing a washer hose, it must be routed away from hot, sharp, or moving parts. Also, sharp bends that 
might pinch the washer hose must be avoided.  

REAR WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM 

WIPER SYSTEM 

CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring back against the glass without 

the wiper blade in place or the glass may be damaged.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 6: Inspecting Wiper Blades 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The rear wiper blade and wiper arm should be inspected periodically, not just when wiper performance 
problems are experienced. This inspection should include the following points: 

1. Carefully inspect the wiper blade for any indications of worn or uneven edges (1), foreign material 

deposits (2), hardening or cracking (3), deformation or fatigue (4), or splitting (5). Inspect the wiper blade 
support components and the wiper arm for damage (6). If the wiper arm and blade are contaminated with 
any foreign material, clean them and the glass as required. See CLEANING. If the wiper blade or arm is 
damaged, replace it with a new unit. Do not attempt to repair a wiper arm or blade that is damaged or 
corroded.  

2. Carefully lift the wiper blade off of the glass. Note the action of the wiper arm hinge. The wiper arm 

should pivot freely at the hinge, but with no lateral looseness evident. If there is any binding evident in 
the wiper arm hinge, or there is evident lateral play in the wiper arm hinge, replace the wiper arm. 

3. Once proper hinge action of the wiper arm is confirmed, check the hinge for proper spring tension. The 

spring tension of the wiper arm should be sufficient to cause the rubber squeegee to conform to the 
curvature of the glass. Replace a wiper arm if it has insufficient spring tension to maintain contact 
between the squeegee and the glass.  

4. After cleaning and inspecting the wiper components and the glass, if the wiper blade still fails to clear the 

glass without smearing, streaking, chattering, hazing, or beading, replace the wiper blade.  

WASHER SYSTEM 

CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring back against the glass without 

the wiper blade in place or the glass may be damaged.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

  

The washer system components should be inspected periodically, not just when washer performance problems 
are experienced. This inspection should include the following points: 

1. Check for ice or other foreign material in the washer reservoir. If contaminated, clean and flush the 

washer system. See CLEANING.  

2. Inspect the washer plumbing for pinched, leaking, deteriorated, or incorrectly routed hoses and damaged 

or disconnected hose fittings. Replace damaged or deteriorated hoses and hose fittings. Leaking washer 
hoses can sometimes be repaired by cutting the hose at the leak and splicing it back together using an in-
line connector fitting. Similarly, sections of deteriorated hose can be cut out and replaced by splicing in 
new sections of hose using in-line connector fittings. Whenever routing a washer hose or a wire harness 
containing a washer hose, it must be routed away from hot, sharp, or moving parts. Also, sharp bends that 
might pinch the washer hose must be avoided.  

SPECIFICATIONS 

SPECIFICATIONS - WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEMS 

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 

DESCRIPTION 

RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 

DESCRIPTION 

N.m 

Ft. Lbs. 

In. Lbs. 

Right Multi-Function 

Switch Mounting Screw

1

-

10

Front Wiper Arm 

Mounting Nuts

24

18

215

Rear Wiper Arm 

Mounting Nut

12

9

106

Front Wiper Module 

Mounting Screws

7.5

-

67

Front Wiper Module 

Mounting Nut

8

-

72

Rear Wiper Motor 

Bracket Mounting Screws

5.5

-

49

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro