What is this ?

[Mako825]

I washed my 2024 XLT today and found this odd loose "part" laying on the apron below the windshield wipers. This is the second time I've found one in the same area.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Thanks!

 

[Fizzy]

It's the alignment key for your windshield wiper arms. They are supposed to be removed during assembly. Sometimes they are. Other times they aren't. Often they are removed and tossed onto the windshield cowl, where you found yours.

Here's the shop manual entry talking about them:

 

[Mako825]

THANK YOU FIZZY! I am relieved to know that it's nothing to worry about.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

THANK YOU FIZZY! I am relieved to know that it's nothing to worry about.

Yes, under normal circumstances, nottaproblemo !

HOWEVER......

If that little piece of metal should end up in the engine compartment, there's no telling how much damage it could potentially cause, especially if it got slung around at high velocity up around the turbos, air intake(s), radiator, fans, belts

 

[SyndicateZ]

Yes, under normal circumstances, nottaproblemo !

HOWEVER......

If that little piece of metal should end up in the engine compartment, there's no telling how much damage it could potentially cause, especially if it got slung around at high velocity up around the turbos, air intake(s), radiator, fans, belts

Road pebbles pose the same risk

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Road pebbles pose the same risk

Trudat, but most "road pebbles" (other than actual "gravel/57 stone") are usually smoother & rounder than these keys, which would probably bounce off things & then roll off & back under or behind the truck

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I washed my 2024 XLT today and found this odd loose "part" laying on the apron below the windshield wipers. This is the second time I've found one in the same area.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Thanks!
View attachment 84068View attachment 84069View attachment 84070View attachment 84071

There have been several posts on this forum over the past few years about members finding this loose part on their new vehicle.

I was surprised that Ford continues to manufacture the Expedition with this part that falls out.

 

[Fizzy]

I was surprised that Ford continues to manufacture the Expedition with this part that falls out.

Having had the wipers arms off recently, and figuring out about these alignment pins, there's almost no way under normal circumstances these could fall out by themselves. They lock into position very tightly on the arm, and then into a snug receiving slot on the wiper receiver on the vehicle. I had to lever pretty hard with a screwdriver to get them out of the wiper arms.

It's almost certainly someone on the production line (or during QA, PDI, etc) finding the arms out of spec (as per my service manual screenshot), pulling the pins out to manually adjust them, and just tossing them carelessly, where they end up on the windshield cowl.

 

[Coach]

THANK YOU FIZZY! I am relieved to know that it's nothing to worry about.

I second that! Thanks for taking the time to post with pics. I found one of these in the very aft of the side panel tray under hood and windshield shroud then another in my driveway.