Wiper Motor - Rear

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear wiper motor assembly on 2021-2024 Ford F-150 pickups equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wiper motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Wiper motor gasket/seal × 1 — Usually included with motor

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Ensure rear wiper is in the parked position
3. Open the rear liftgate fully and support if necessary
4. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes
5. Mark the position of the rear wiper arm relative to the glass with tape or marker

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wiper arm
   Lift the wiper arm away from the glass. Locate the retaining nut at the base of the wiper arm (may be covered by a plastic cap). Remove the cap if present. Use a 10mm socket to remove the wiper arm retaining nut. Rock the wiper arm gently while pulling away from the glass to remove it from the motor shaft splines. Set aside the arm and nut.
2. 2

   Remove interior trim panel
   From inside the vehicle, locate the rear interior trim panel that covers the liftgate. Use trim panel removal tools to carefully pry out the panel retaining clips starting from the bottom corners. Work your way around the perimeter, releasing all clips. Gently pull the panel away from the liftgate and set aside. Note the location of any wire harness clips attached to the panel.
3. 3

   Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector
   Locate the rear wiper motor electrical connector behind the trim panel. Press the locking tab on the connector and pull it straight off the wiper motor. If the connector has a secondary lock, slide it out of the locked position first before disconnecting.
4. 4

   Remove ground strap
   Locate the ground strap attached to the wiper motor mounting bracket. Use an 8mm socket to remove the ground strap bolt. Inspect the contact surfaces on both the strap and mounting point for corrosion. If corrosion is present, clean thoroughly with a wire brush or contact cleaner to ensure proper electrical contact during reassembly.
   ℹ️Clean ground contact surfaces are critical for proper wiper motor operation and preventing electrical issues.
   Torque spec

   Ground Strap Bolt16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove wiper motor mounting bolts
   Locate the three mounting bolts securing the wiper motor assembly to the liftgate. These are typically 10mm bolts arranged in a triangular pattern around the motor. Use a socket and extension to access all three bolts. Remove all mounting bolts completely and retain for reinstallation.
   ⚠Support the wiper motor assembly as you remove the final mounting bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove wiper motor assembly
   Carefully pull the wiper motor assembly away from the liftgate. The motor shaft will pull through the hole in the outer liftgate skin. Remove the gasket or seal from around the motor shaft opening and inspect it for damage. If the gasket is torn, compressed, or brittle, replace it with a new one.
7. 7

   Install new wiper motor assembly
   Position the new gasket or seal around the motor shaft opening on the liftgate. Align the new wiper motor assembly with the mounting holes and carefully insert the motor shaft through the opening in the outer liftgate skin. Ensure the gasket seats properly around the shaft to prevent water intrusion. Align all three mounting bolt holes.
8. 8

   Install mounting bolts
   Thread all three mounting bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Once all bolts are started, tighten them evenly in a star pattern using a torque wrench to the specified torque of 31.0 Nm (23.0 lb-ft). Verify the motor assembly is seated flush against the liftgate.
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect ground strap
   Position the ground strap onto its mounting point, ensuring the contact surface is clean and free of paint or corrosion. Install the ground strap bolt and torque to 12.0 Nm (9.0 lb-ft) using a torque wrench. Ensure the strap has solid metal-to-metal contact.
   Torque spec

   Ground Strap Bolt16 Nm (12 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect electrical connector
    Push the electrical connector firmly onto the wiper motor until it clicks into place. If equipped with a secondary lock, slide it back into the locked position. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully seated and locked.
11. 11

    Reinstall interior trim panel
    Position the interior trim panel back onto the liftgate. Align all retaining clips with their respective holes. Press firmly around the perimeter to seat all clips. Ensure the panel is flush and secure at all points. Reconnect any wire harness clips to the panel.
12. 12

    Install wiper arm
    Align the wiper arm with the motor shaft splines according to the reference mark made during removal. Push the arm firmly onto the shaft until it is fully seated. Install the retaining nut and tighten securely with a 10mm socket. Replace the plastic cap if equipped. Verify the wiper arm is in the correct parked position.
13. 13

    Reconnect battery
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal and torque the terminal bolt to 6.0 Nm (4.0 lb-ft). Do not overtighten as this can damage the terminal or battery post.
    ⚠Do not overtighten battery terminal bolts as this can crack the battery post or damage the terminal clamp.
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Ensure interior trim panel is secure with all clips properly engaged
3. Check that the wiper arm is positioned correctly in the parked position
4. Confirm no tools or parts were left in the liftgate area

Verification

• Turn the ignition to the ON position without starting the engine
• Activate the rear wiper and verify smooth operation through full cycle
• Test intermittent, low, and high speed settings if equipped
• Verify the wiper returns to the correct parked position when turned off
• Test the rear washer function to ensure proper motor operation under load
• Check for any abnormal noises, binding, or irregular movement
• Inspect around the motor shaft opening for any water leaks (spray with washer fluid)
• Close and open the liftgate several times to ensure no interference with trim panel or wiper operation

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