I replaced my 2018 STX with a 2021 XLT sport a few months ago, and am wondering if I'm missing something with lifting the wipers off the windshield.

On the 2018, the antenna was down on the fender further, and lifting the passenger side wiper off the glass was no issue. On the 2021, the antenna is up on the cowl closer to the base of the windshield. When I lift the passenger side wiper, it hits the base of the antenna, so in order to lift it more an a few inches, I need to remove the antenna. Admittedly, this is pretty easy given the design of the antenna, but nothing I can find regarding replacing the wipers makes any mention of having to remove the antenna. I thought perhaps the passenger side wiper was the wrong size, but it is indeed a 22 inch blade as it should be.

Am I missing something with regards to a service position for the wipers, or is it really necessary to remove the antenna to lift/replace the passenger side wiper blade?

 

My 2013 does the same thing, I never thought twice about it.

 

2022 same thing, you don’t have to remove the antenna though, just bend the blade a bit

 

This…

 

2021 here. Yes, My wiper just nicks the antenna but bending the blade slightly gets around it.

 

My workaround:

 

You can remove the wiper blade without having to lift it past the antenna. Just lift it off the glass, squeeze the tab and release the blade. Once the blade is off, the arm will lift up past the mast no issue.

 

The antenna is designed to bend. It’s also a useful low ceiling warning if you ever use a multi story parking lot.

 

I did the same work around.

 

If you live where it snows often that would be a pain. And you run the risk of the arm slipping out of your hand and smacking the windshield, ask me how I know that one. $$

That said I don’t have any issue getting mine by the antenna. You could also turn on the wipers, and turn off the truck mid swipe, problem solved.