Drivers Side Wiper Blade replacement - retaining pin removal proving challenging

[Griff27]

Long time member (27 years), first post. I am at my wits end.

I am trying to replace the original drivers side wiper blade with an identical replacement. The Haynes Manual (page 130, Section 19, point 5) says "Position the pantograph arm and blade as shown in Fig 10.10, free the blade pin from the retaining plate and withdraw the wiper blade". I've got the pantograph arm where it needs to be but I can see no way of freeing the wiper blade pin from the retaining plate! The BL Service Operations manual and the Haynes manual both imply that it just slides free but mine remains tightly fixed in place. I'm about to take pliers to it - but I dont know I should pull the pin or push it!

Any help or instructional videos welcome!

Thanks, Rhys

[sujitroy]

that photo looks like a mk1 wiper. it can be done. not sure about mk2.

[Griff27]

that photo looks like a mk1 wiper. it can be done. not sure about mk2.

The photo's from the haynes manual (All models 1970 to 1978) - didnt realise, but not surprised, there might be a difference between early and late mark Stags (mines a '73). My wiper is exactly like the diagram.

[sujitroy]

the difference is at the base of the arm that is detached in the photo. mk1 used a plastic ball joint. it just pops off. mk2 used a riveted pivot.