a backing strip for a windshield wiper assembly includes a pair of rails . each of the pair of rails includes a body portion and a detent portion . the detent portion includes a cut - out on each side thereof . the cut - outs form at least a pair of hooks on each side of said detent portion . the cut - out on one side of the detent portion of each of said rails is for receiving a claw of the windshield wiper assembly and the hooks on the opposite side of the detent portion of each of the rails are for engaging a windshield wiper blade of the windshield wiper assembly .