Removing cowl and windshield wiper arms

[Bellime]

I am preparing to clean the windshield to apply the protective film and thought I might help someone to understand what needs to be done to remove the cowl at the bottom of the windshield. I want the protective film to start under the cowl.
1) Remove the antenna and two screws on both sides.

2) Remove the cover and nuts on the wiper arms. Then I used a crescent wrench and slipped it behind the arm, then tapped the bolt head. I tried a wheel puller but the cowling got in the way.

3)The front edge of the cowling snaps in and can easily be loosened with a flat tip screwdriver.

4) Ford put a central coupling for the washer system. Simply squeeze the connection and pull apart.

5) Lift the cowl out and your done.

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[williamshafer]

I am preparing to clean the windshield to apply the protective film and thought I might help someone to understand what needs to be done to remove the cowl at the bottom of the windshield. I want the protective film to start under the cowl.
1) Remove the antenna and two screws on both sides.

2) Remove the cover and nuts on the wiper arms. Then I used a crescent wrench and slipped it behind the arm, then tapped the bolt head. I tried a wheel puller but the cowling got in the way.

3)The front edge of the cowling snaps in and can easily be loosened with a flat tip screwdriver.

4) Ford put a central coupling for the washer system. Simply squeeze the connection and pull apart.

5) Lift the cowl out and your done.

So it looks like you just have to sort of muscle it off the stud?

 

[Bellime]

So it looks like you just have to sort of muscle it off the stud?

Well, used the crescent wrench as a backing and tapped the stub back. Really no muscle required

 

[@BadBlueBronco]

I’m trying to do this now. Not sure I understand the removal of the wiper arms. They won’t budge

 

[@BadBlueBronco]

Update: I went to Harbor freight and purchased a 2 arm puller. Passenger side had enough clearance but driver side didn't. I was replacing the cowl because it was bent and a POS(scratched my hood) so I didn't mind a small scratch on the plastic so in the end it worked. I think if I had a thinner armed puller it would of worked out better.

 

[Bellime]

I have had my wiper arms off many times,no puller needed. Just be gentle on tapping the thread post with something behind the arm.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Thanks OP for taking the time to document and share! I'm planning on applying a coating and while I don't *need* to remove cowl/wipers to do it, it definitely eases access and makes for less stuff that needs to be taped off. Now I just need to replenish my supply of round tuits.

 

[bniknar]

Update: I went to Harbor freight and purchased a 2 arm puller. Passenger side had enough clearance but driver side didn't. I was replacing the cowl because it was bent and a POS(scratched my hood) so I didn't mind a small scratch on the plastic so in the end it worked. I think if I had a thinner armed puller it would of worked out better.

Which 2 arm puller at Harbor Freight? Appreciate any info.

 

[Lak34ers]

I am preparing to clean the windshield to apply the protective film and thought I might help someone to understand what needs to be done to remove the cowl at the bottom of the windshield. I want the protective film to start under the cowl.
1) Remove the antenna and two screws on both sides.

2) Remove the cover and nuts on the wiper arms. Then I used a crescent wrench and slipped it behind the arm, then tapped the bolt head. I tried a wheel puller but the cowling got in the way.

3)The front edge of the cowling snaps in and can easily be loosened with a flat tip screwdriver.

4) Ford put a central coupling for the washer system. Simply squeeze the connection and pull apart.

5) Lift the cowl out and your done.

I was getting a little rattle wind noise and notice my cowl was pretty loos in middle. If you tapped the top with your hand you can hear it rattle...not tightly clipped down. Looked at my clips in center of cowl and they are smooth with no ridge to clip it down. Yours in pic looks like it has a ridge to catch on the lip and hold it down. Any ideas? Ready to put a heavy weight on it and just glue or seal it somehow.

 

[Car Guy Bill]

The way I always have removed the arms on most vehicles with a nut is to loosen the nut but do not remove it then flip the wiper arm up and rock in the opposite way it bends and after a couple of rocks it will normally pop right off. I would be scared hitting the stud like a tie rod end that close to the glass. This is an old school way from back in the 70s

 

[Bellime]

I was getting a little rattle wind noise and notice my cowl was pretty loos in middle. If you tapped the top with your hand you can hear it rattle...not tightly clipped down. Looked at my clips in center of cowl and they are smooth with no ridge to clip it down. Yours in pic looks like it has a ridge to catch on the lip and hold it down. Any ideas? Ready to put a heavy weight on it and just glue or seal it somehow.

That is too permanent, haven’t had it off in a while, but I think your right in your missing the ridges. I’d use something less permanent, like sponge tape. Is there a way to pur a screw from hood edge?

 

[orion]

I was getting a little rattle wind noise and notice my cowl was pretty loos in middle. If you tapped the top with your hand you can hear it rattle...not tightly clipped down. Looked at my clips in center of cowl and they are smooth with no ridge to clip it down. Yours in pic looks like it has a ridge to catch on the lip and hold it down. Any ideas? Ready to put a heavy weight on it and just glue or seal it somehow.

Pull your cowl off completely. Use some baking soda and put some where the ridge would be, put super glue on it, then use a file to shape it like it should be. That might work.

 

[sweisenb]

The way I always have removed the arms on most vehicles with a nut is to loosen the nut but do not remove it then flip the wiper arm up and rock in the opposite way it bends and after a couple of rocks it will normally pop right off. I would be scared hitting the stud like a tie rod end that close to the glass. This is an old school way from back in the 70s

I agree that is what should work. What I did was soak the threads/arm/splines with penetration oil (NOT WD40, Deep Creep and PB Blaster) and let it soak a a while. I ordered these pullers from amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXLMGYWB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title). I used the two arm puller to tension the arm and rocked back and forth. One of them came off with ease the other required a 2nd soaking.

 

[CalvinT]

I bought this puller from Amazon. It worked well. It wasn't a perfect fit, but it fit well enough.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J2R5ES4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

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