I'm replacing the wipers for the first time on my 2015 Prius...the OEM wiper blades have a nice aerodynamic looking plastic shell around them vs my generic Bosh replacement blades look very plain. Does anyone know if the plastic shell on the OEM wipers can be removed or is it attached to the OEM wiper blades? Thanks!
Below is a video of changing the OEM wiper blade inserts. Watching this should explain how the OEM wiper gets removed. There are generally 3 different types of wiper blade frames. There is 1) beam/frameless 2) hybrid (which is the Toyota Prius OEM), 3) framed/convectional. Bosch manufacturers all 3 types of wiper blade frames, so I don't know which one you are comparing it to. Here are the Bosch wiper types: Windshield Wipers | Bosch Auto Parts The "shell" frame is called the hybrid frame. Bosch's version of hybrid frame is the Bosch Insight: You can put any of the 3 frame types on the Prius. It is just a different technology and pricing. You will find the more expensive ones tend to perform better. Replacing it for the first time? It would be cheaper to simply buy the rubber wiper insert from the dealer and follow the above video than to replace the whole wiper frame. Some Toyota dealerships are even nice enough to install the rubber insert for free.
Are the OEM rubber inserts hard to get now? Not sure why that would be btw. I believe these are the parts numbers for the front, not sure which is which: 85214-68020 - RUBBER, WIPER 85214-30390 - RUBBER, WIPER (Amayama has them, for one.)
Thank you Siward and Mendel. I had to buy some aftermarket Bosch blades with a cheap looking outer shell since I was in a pinch and had to prep my car for a 700 mile round trip with a lot of rain. Luckily I saved my OEM hybrid frames (shell) so when these cheapo's go bad, I can get some Toyota OEM rubber replacements.
