Rear window surround crack.

[Vilas15]

Bought a 2020 less than a month ago. Browsing this forum and decided to check my truck this morning, cracked window frame on both sides. I think the build date is 8/02/2020. No leaking that I've noticed although I'll have to take a closer look. I thought the new window part for 2020 fixed the issue? Should I have my back window replaced asap even if there are no leaks?

 

[LimitedGRR]

Bought a 2020 less than a month ago. Browsing this forum and decided to check my truck this morning, cracked window frame on both sides. I think the build date is 8/02/2020. No leaking that I've noticed although I'll have to take a closer look. I thought the new window part for 2020 fixed the issue? Should I have my back window replaced asap even if there are no leaks?

The part is probably the same....take it to dealer and have it replaced. They may want to do a water test but insist that the replace it regardless since it’s a window frame crack. They’ll have to get approval from FCA because an outside glass shop will do the work. If the dealer actually can do it, then no fca approval is needed. Just a formality


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[RamCares]

Bought a 2020 less than a month ago. Browsing this forum and decided to check my truck this morning, cracked window frame on both sides. I think the build date is 8/02/2020. No leaking that I've noticed although I'll have to take a closer look. I thought the new window part for 2020 fixed the issue? Should I have my back window replaced asap even if there are no leaks?

I regret that you are experiencing this concern with your truck, @Vilas15. If you would be interested in an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer, our team is a private message away and more than willing to assist further.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

I regret that you are experiencing this concern with your truck, @Vilas15. If you would be interested in an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer, our team is a private message away and more than willing to assist further.

Mark
RamCares

Hi Mark,

I couldn’t figure out how to PM you. Could u please let me know the best way to contact u directly? I have a couple of questions for u about my dealership service appointment next week regarding my rear window leak. Thanks.

 

[brian42]

Hi Mark,

I couldn’t figure out how to PM you. Could u please let me know the best way to contact u directly? I have a couple of questions for u about my dealership service appointment next week regarding my rear window leak. Thanks.

Hover your mouse over their username and a menu will pop up. Click 'Start conversation' and you're in.

 

[Ken Robbins]

Thanks to Mark, I'm trying one more time. I called the dealer to follow up with my visit in February and they have no record of me being there. I just got back from the same dealer again. They took more pictures of the cracked rear window assembly and verified that's where the water is leaking. For the time being, I put a diaper on my Ram.

I'm not jumping around to different dealers to try to get this fixed and chase my tail. It will get fixed or I'm trading it in for a Ford F250.

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

Hover your mouse over their username and a menu will pop up. Click 'Start conversation' and you're in.

View attachment 67442

Thanks. I saw that but wasn’t sure it would be directly to Mark or just RamCares in general.

 

[brian42]

That's how I did it when they requested I contact them and it went to the right person. How it works I don't know, but it did for me.

 

[Mr. Hindsight]

Thanks to Mark, I'm trying one more time. I called the dealer to follow up with my visit in February and they have no record of me being there. I just got back from the same dealer again. They took more pictures of the cracked rear window assembly and verified that's where the water is leaking. For the time being, I put a diaper on my Ram.

I'm not jumping around to different dealers to try to get this fixed and chase my tail. It will get fixed or I'm trading it in for a Ford F250.

I have a microfiber towel at that same spot and one up in between the trim piece when it rains.

 

[Ken Robbins]

I have a microfiber towel at that same spot and one up in between the trim piece when it rains.

That's good thinking. I just went out and put a towel there as well thank you. I try real hard to be a reasonable and good person. Right now I'm pissed. If and when they relace the window assembly, if there's a little scratch on the paint or any other damage the truck is gone. I'll never buy another Ram again.

Ford has their issues as well. Maybe buy two old pickup trucks and fix them as each one breaks down. Then I can say I got what I paid for.

 

[5thGenRebel_AMK]

Does anyone have a diy way to fix it? Mines not leaking (yet) but it is cracked and I was wondering if there’s a way to patch this up without letting the bozos at the dealer touch my truck


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[LimitedGRR]

Does anyone have a diy way to fix it? Mines not leaking (yet) but it is cracked and I was wondering if there’s a way to patch this up without letting the bozos at the dealer touch my truck


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If you’re careful you can run a small bead of black RTV into the small channel created by where the window meets the body. I’m talking about the horizontal gap not the vertical gap you see when looking at the window from
The back. Tape off the body and the top edge of the glass and carefully put in the rtv. Then take a razor or hard plastic squeegee and level the rtv with the top of the window edge. That will will the gap and cover the crack. And it won’t be visible from any angle unless you’re standing in the bed staring in between the gaps. You probably only need to do it an inch or 2 on either side of the crack which is always by the vertical pillar of the sliding glass opening. This is what I plan on doing if mine ever cracks again. But make sure you use really good sealant. Something like solar brand or something designed for exterior use. Heavy duty roof flashing adhesive would be my choice. It’s dries semi flexible and is UV proof. I have places around my house I used it 10 years ago and it still looks fresh and very black. Avoid the cheap Home Depot and flex. seal stuff


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[LimitedGRR]

Does anyone have a diy way to fix it? Mines not leaking (yet) but it is cracked and I was wondering if there’s a way to patch this up without letting the bozos at the dealer touch my truck


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The dealer will hardly touch it. They may remove the rear seats and some trim but most dealers export the work to a glass shop. It’s that shop that you should worry the most about.


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[5thGenRebel_AMK]

If you’re careful you can run a small bead of black RTV into the small channel created by where the window meets the body. I’m talking about the horizontal gap not the vertical gap you see when looking at the window from
The back. Tape off the body and the top edge of the glass and carefully put in the rtv. Then take a razor or hard plastic squeegee and level the rtv with the top of the window edge. That will will the gap and cover the crack. And it won’t be visible from any angle unless you’re standing in the bed staring in between the gaps. You probably only need to do it an inch or 2 on either side of the crack which is always by the vertical pillar of the sliding glass opening. This is what I plan on doing if mine ever cracks again. But make sure you use really good sealant. Something like solar brand or something designed for exterior use. Heavy duty roof flashing adhesive would be my choice. It’s dries semi flexible and is UV proof. I have places around my house I used it 10 years ago and it still looks fresh and very black. Avoid the cheap Home Depot and flex. seal stuff


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Thanks for the detailed instructions! I’ll definitely be doing this, hopefully it prevents any leaking in the future.


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[LimitedGRR]

Thanks for the detailed instructions! I’ll definitely be doing this, hopefully it prevents any leaking in the future.


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Good luck. Just make sure to tape the area off really well to keep the sealant off paint. Also make sure you really do a good job filling that gap. Any little openings along the glass or body will still let water in. Use the razor as a squeegee should really push the sealant all the way against the surfaces.


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[5thGenRebel_AMK]

Good luck. Just make sure to tape the area off really well to keep the sealant off paint. Also make sure you really do a good job filling that gap. Any little openings along the glass or body will still let water in. Use the razor as a squeegee should really push the sealant all the way against the surfaces.


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Will do, great tips. thanks again!


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[brian42]

The dealer will hardly touch it. They may remove the rear seats and some trim but most dealers export the work to a glass shop. It’s that shop that you should worry the most about.


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That's what my dealer did. Removed the interference (back bench seat) and had the shop put in the new window.

I took a long, hard look at the rear window after I got the truck back and everything looks good. The window seems to be centered a little better also. Pretty sure the shop did a better job than the production line as that's all they do.

I contemplated dealing with it myself but that's why there's a warranty. Plus if the shop they sent it to damaged something then the dealership would have been on the hook to fix it.

 

[Mopar_maxi]

Does anyone have a diy way to fix it? Mines not leaking (yet) but it is cracked and I was wondering if there’s a way to patch this up without letting the bozos at the dealer touch my truck


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If you remove the 3rd brake light, it will give you better access to the “channel”. I’ve seen several people say once the brake light is removed, you can look down where the window meets the body and visibly see the crack. Fill the crack with RTV or weatherproof silicone. No more leak from the crack. The crack would just be cosmetic at that point.

That is my plan if/when mine cracks. Leaking or not, I will silicone that channel and forget about the crack. No one will notice the crack and the silicone will fix the leak. I can live with the crack but can’t live with a water leak.

 

[LimitedGRR]

Thanks for the detailed instructions! I’ll definitely be doing this, hopefully it prevents any leaking in the future.


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Actually the best stuff to use would be the butyl sealant glass shops use when installing windshields! Just dawned on me.

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[brian42]

If you remove the 3rd brake light, it will give you better access to the “channel”. I’ve seen several people say once the brake light is removed, you can look down where the window meets the body and visibly see the crack. Fill the crack with RTV or weatherproof silicone. No more leak from the crack. The crack would just be cosmetic at that point.

That is my plan if/when mine cracks. Leaking or not, I will silicone that channel and forget about the crack. No one will notice the crack and the silicone will fix the leak. I can live with the crack but can’t live with a water leak.

Plan on replacing the CHSML gasket/seal while you're at it so you cover all bases. Once you remove the housing it's a hit or miss if it seals back up. No use sealing the window crack if your CHSML seal leaks and soaks your headliner.

After I got my truck back I took the gasket off the CHSML and put a better one on there (the M&D one that's posted in other threads) when I put LEDs in.