Rear window surround crack.

[Dusty1948]

Silverado Facebook groups are filled with people having the same issue. Not sure how Ram typically handles the repairs, if it's in-house or to a glass shop, but a lot of Chevy repairs have been done by techs who obviously don't know what they're doing - they apply caulk all the way around the rear windows and it looks horrible.

Depends on the dealer and individual service policy of the dealer.

I had to replaced a shattered rear window on my Dakota and a stone-chipped windshield on my 2014 Ram and the dealer farmed it out both times. The service manager told me his techs don't see enough glass work to make him feel confident in a thorough repair. And if there is a post-install problem they don't eat the cost of redoing it.

Has it was it took the glass repair company three times to get the Dakota rear glass in correctly without leaking.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 17 July 2018. Now at: 031222 miles.

 

[whetrick1]

Hi @duke2001 & @barr0208 - If you decide to address it with your dealers, please be sure to let me know so that I can connect you with a specialist for further support!




Hi @natron! & @whetrick1 - If you are in need of any further support while working with your dealers, please do not hesitate to follow up with me via PM!

Mark
RamCares

No assistance needed my dealership is taking care of it. They are a good dealership and have taken care of any problems I've had.


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[whsk12]

found crack-might try rtv-do not trust dealer!

 

[RamCares]

No assistance needed my dealership is taking care of it. They are a good dealership and have taken care of any problems I've had.


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Thank you for taking the time to follow up, @whetrick1. I am glad to hear this. Should you ever need any additional support down the road, we are always here.

Mark
RamCares

 

[Willwork4truck]

Just put 225 miles on a fresh off the lot truck. Its for rode trips only, not a daily driver. Checked it over thoroughly at delivery (truck was born on 1.30.20 @ dealer 2.20.20, new home 2.21.20), all looked good. This trip was in the rain, whew, no water leaks yet, its sad you even have to look really.

On inspection of the rear window we can see what looks to be the cracks forming (I'm betting the cab flexes allot helping to cause this issue).

Left side upper frame (vertical rail is left side of slider).

View attachment 48500

Right side upper frame (vertical rail is right side of slider).

View attachment 48501

Gonna put about 900 miles on it next trip, bet the rear window frame is cracked by the time we return home.

Thanks for the pics, I didn't see anything "evident" on mine/hers but I didn't look that close. I will next time I can. (It's a garage queen, 1 year old with 8K miles...)
Usually all I do is a weekly battery charge on the 4 amp trickle charger. I don't like seeing 12.2 resting voltage when it's not driven much.

 

[LimitedGRR]

Wondering if anyone has the cracks (which I now do on both sides) but have no had leaks? I cant find sign of leaks thus far but I do have the black headliner (no signs of water stain). It is a matter of time or a chance that the window seal will hold up along with assumption the 3rd brake light was installed properly at time of build (2020 model, built in July 2019).

I have the crack, but knock on wood, no leaks. Even after bi-weekly washings with a power washer and some decent rain lately.

 

[LimitedGRR]

As I was thinking about this today, I came up with a relatively easy solution. It would be very easy to install a thin weatherstrip type seal into the gap between the glass and the cab along the top of the glass. In fact, Tesla sells a 'noise reduction' seal that I think is the same width as the opening between glass and body. I ordered it today for $8.00. If it fits, it will be a perfect solution since there's a very narrow window under which the water can enter. I'd rather solve it this way than the Dealer replacing it, risking damage to other parts, and having it keep happening especially if they didn't improve on the design.

 

[steindog]

As I was thinking about this today, I came up with a relatively easy solution. It would be very easy to install a thin weatherstrip type seal into the gap between the glass and the cab along the top of the glass. In fact, Tesla sells a 'noise reduction' seal that I think is the same width as the opening between glass and body. I ordered it today for $8.00. If it fits, it will be a perfect solution since there's a very narrow window under which the water can enter. I'd rather solve it this way than the Dealer replacing it, risking damage to other parts, and having it keep happening especially if they didn't improve on the design.

I too like to think outside the box when coming up with a fix but I'm not seeing how this would solve an existing leak? Water will most likely find it's way behind this wind seal product then find it's way to the water entry location of window leak. Nothing wrong with giving it a try for 8 bucks to see what happens. I'm not thrilled with the thought of having the rear window removed and replaced either so a work around is interesting but merely jamming this material in the gap seems like it would let water by to some extent. Please give us feedback once you install it and give it a pressure wash or extended rain period. I'll be following for sure! Thanks for sharing your idea.

 

[whsk12]

rtv!-so far no leaks!

 

[duke2001]

rtv!-so far no leaks!

Can you be a little more specific about your situation. One, do you have cracks in the frame as many have had? Two, do you have leaks that are visible? Three, how and where did you apply the rtv? Thanks

 

[Mopar_maxi]

If/when my cracks, the crack is visible on the outside if you remove the 3rd brake light. That is why it’s leaking once it’s cracked. I don’t want the dealer or anyone for that matter, taking half my truck apart to replace the window and it’s likely to crack again. So when the time comes and mine cracks, I’ll pull the 3rd brake light, find the crack and fill it with flowable silicone. I can live with the crack, can’t live with a leak.

 

[duke2001]

If/when my cracks, the crack is visible on the outside if you remove the 3rd brake light. That is why it’s leaking once it’s cracked. I don’t want the dealer or anyone for that matter, taking half my truck apart to replace the window and it’s likely to crack again. So when the time comes and mine cracks, I’ll pull the 3rd brake light, find the crack and fill it with flowable silicone. I can live with the crack, can’t live with a leak.

Can you supply picture(s) showing cracks visible after removal of third brake light? Thanks

 

[LimitedGRR]

I too like to think outside the box when coming up with a fix but I'm not seeing how this would solve an existing leak? Water will most likely find it's way behind this wind seal product then find it's way to the water entry location of window leak. Nothing wrong with giving it a try for 8 bucks to see what happens. I'm not thrilled with the thought of having the rear window removed and replaced either so a work around is interesting but merely jamming this material in the gap seems like it would let water by to some extent. Please give us feedback once you install it and give it a pressure wash or extended rain period. I'll be following for sure! Thanks for sharing your idea.

I looked literally with a magnifying glass today all along the channel between glass and body, even though I have the cracks inside, I see no evidence of the cracks reaching to the other side of the seal yet. It rained hard this morning and was bone dry inside. I figure if and when the crack spreads to the point water is entering, the crack should be easy to spot. At that point if the seal is big enough, and maybe a touch of RTV along the opening, it should solve the issue. The crack is going to be fairly small so I suspect it wouldn't take much effort to fix. I'll update once i get the seal and see how well it fits. If the seal can create a tight seal between the top of the cab and the glass, water should run over the seal an onto the glass, and a touch of RTV should really tighten it up.

 

[LimitedGRR]

rtv!-so far no leaks!

Did you have leaks????

excellent solution, the area at risk is so small and limited to the edges of the sliding part of the glass it should be a perfect fix. If the tesla seal doesnt fit, I'm tempted to tape off the edge of glass and a straight line along the cab and put a nice bead in there.

Did you RTV at all around the 3rd brake like? Seems like water can channel in along the sides and get to the cracks.

 

[steindog]

I looked literally with a magnifying glass today all along the channel between glass and body, even though I have the cracks inside, I see no evidence of the cracks reaching to the other side of the seal yet. It rained hard this morning and was bone dry inside. I figure if and when the crack spreads to the point water is entering, the crack should be easy to spot. At that point if the seal is big enough, and maybe a touch of RTV along the opening, it should solve the issue. The crack is going to be fairly small so I suspect it wouldn't take much effort to fix. I'll update once i get the seal and see how well it fits. If the seal can create a tight seal between the top of the cab and the glass, water should run over the seal an onto the glass, and a touch of RTV should really tighten it up.

I have the crack and a very slow leak but any leak at all is unacceptable. Luckily I discovered this issue by reading posts here and truck was already being stored under a cover outside so no major intrusion or saturation. For eight bucks and easy try it might be worth a shot to avoid the carnage! Probably better to get it replaced though.

 

[LimitedGRR]

Had some free time to try and find a seal that would fit. This is a candidate since it seals above and below. A strip across the top of the glass should isolate the cracks from any water. Not a perfect solution, but getting close....

https://www.amazon.com/ZXMOTO-Winds...=1&keywords=t+moulding&qid=1586121533&sr=8-56

 

[LimitedGRR]

These 2 make even better sense, since the groove will fit over the glass. Maybe 3M trim tape on the inside of the piece along the body and problem solved. I ordered one of each. Should have late next week. Hopefully one of them does the trick.

Amazon.com: Glass Seal for car Windshield Trim Seal for Cars, Trucks and Vans (16 Feet): Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Glass Seal for car Windshield Trim Seal for Cars, Trucks and Vans (16 Feet): Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Windshield Rubber Seal Universal for windscreen and Rear Glass - Length 13 Feet (4 Meter): Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Windshield Rubber Seal Universal for windscreen and Rear Glass - Length 13 Feet (4 Meter): Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

 

[JJRamTX]

I attempted to pick my truck up yesterday after getting the rear window replaced. The install looks good but we had rain and snow and my headliner was soaked in the left rear corner from the replacement. It has never been wet before but at least I got the latest part number (68426398AC). They are keeping the truck to make it right and I am hoping that there is no stain since they caught it quickly.

I got the truck back and they cleaned and dried the headliner and it looks good. The new window is the new design and I am hoping that there aren't any problems in the future. Already been through 3 car washes and no leaks. On a side note I had my 12V battery lose a cell and they replaced it under warranty.

 

[omamatt]

I got the truck back and they cleaned and dried the headliner and it looks good. The new window is the new design and I am hoping that there aren't any problems in the future. Already been through 3 car washes and no leaks. On a side note I had my 12V battery lose a cell and they replaced it under warranty.

Any good pictures of ‘new’ design? My truck was built 3/11 so I’m assuming they came with the ‘new’ design from factory?


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[JJRamTX]

Any good pictures of ‘new’ design? My truck was built 3/11 so I’m assuming they came with the ‘new’ design from factory?


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I only know it is the new design for two reasons. #1 the rear sliding glass shuts much quieter and softer than the previous. #2 the part number is a new number, 68426398AC

Not sure if it actually looks any different.