The dreaded leaking and cracked rear window frame

[SavageSammich]

View attachment 150480

i bought it at Lowe's & it seems to be holding up 5 months. let's see if it can handle 110+ summer temperatures in a few months.

Has this held up for the last year?

 

[theblet]

Has this held up for the last year?

Permatex has held up. 100 degrees down to 5 degrees. No issues

 

[grimreefer]

Well, it lasted a little over three years. We're having our first big thunderstorm of the year and the rear window is leaking at the upper corners again, same as the first time... no visible cracks. I'll be taking it in Monday to get it scheduled to see if they'll honor TSB 23-098-23.

 

[mikeru82]

Well, it lasted a little over three years. We're having our first big thunderstorm of the year and the rear window is leaking at the upper corners again, same as the first time... no visible cracks. I'll be taking it in Monday to get it scheduled to see if they'll honor TSB 23-098-23.

You can check to see if your VIN is included in the warranty extension by logging in to your account at ramtrucks.com. It will potentially save you a trip to the dealership. Also, that TSB was superseded by TSB 23-098-24. Basically, they won't replace the rear window anymore. They apply a 2 part urethane sealant to the window instead.

 

[1791]

so if replacing the slider with a non slider would fix the leak permanently would you do it???
that's where i'm at, i have 4 windows and a pano moonroof do i really need a leaky slider? if mine starts leaking i will get rid of it.
check this out if you must have a slider. it looks like a ford window in a ram. one piece glass aluminum track.

 

[SD Rebel]

so if replacing the slider with a non slider would fix the leak permanently would you do it???
that's where i'm at, i have 4 windows and a pano moonroof do i really need a leaky slider? if mine starts leaking i will get rid of it.
check this out if you must have a slider. it looks like a ford window in a ram. one piece glass aluminum track.

The Ford sliders are the only ones that don't seem to leak (or Tundra). The suppliers for both GM and RAM are the same exact companies, two vendors I think that supplies the same design and there is a long list of Silverado/Sierra owners that have leaking rear windows as well.

Switching to this design is the best course of action, it looks like they incorporated a similar design on the Jeep Gladiators as well.

When mine eventually leaks, I will be going with the flowable sealant route as well. If the window cracks visibly on the inside frame, I'll cover it with a thin piece of black plastic or even electrical tape to make it less noticeable.

 

[SD Rebel]

Not sure if you seen this guys vid, but pretty easy and simple they way he does it....

 

[1791]

The Ford sliders are the only ones that don't seem to leak (or Tundra). The suppliers for both GM and RAM are the same exact companies, two vendors I think that supplies the same design and there is a long list of Silverado/Sierra owners that have leaking rear windows as well.

Switching to this design is the best course of action, it looks like they incorporated a similar design on the Jeep Gladiators as well.

When mine eventually leaks, I will be going with the flowable sealant route as well. If the window cracks visibly on the inside frame, I'll cover it with a thin piece of black plastic or even electrical tape to make it less noticeable.

oh i know how to handle it i got my 2nd ram did 2 tubes of flowable and butyl gasket on the shark fin and the brake light. it stays dry but time will tell.
you are correct about GM sliders leaking i told my friend how we are fixing it now he is doing it at the chevy dealership he works at.

 

[grimreefer]

You can check to see if your VIN is included in the warranty extension by logging in to your account at ramtrucks.com. It will potentially save you a trip to the dealership. Also, that TSB was superseded by TSB 23-098-24. Basically, they won't replace the rear window anymore. They apply a 2 part urethane sealant to the window instead.

Checked and it's covered under the extension. Wasn't aware that they superseded it with the sealant fix but good to know. Thanks.

 

[Bigbadgen]

Well, it lasted a little over three years. We're having our first big thunderstorm of the year and the rear window is leaking at the upper corners again, same as the first time... no visible cracks. I'll be taking it in Monday to get it scheduled to see if they'll honor TSB 23-098-23.

We get free glass coverage here. I saw minor drip, covered truck till 2 days later where they put in a new one in an afternoon. No real convenience loss. If leaks again and I’ll have them do the same

 

[theblet]

Not sure if you seen this guys vid, but pretty easy and simple they way he does it....

Pretty much what I did. Also sealed the shark fin, third brake light, and the ends of the roof strips.

 

[grimreefer]

Took it in yesterday. Apparently it was leaking in from the CHMSL as well. Part on order...

 

[grimreefer]

Took it in yesterday. Apparently it was leaking in from the CHMSL as well. Part on order...

Sealant applied and new CHMSL installed. Hopefully this will be the end of the rear window drama.

 

[FL Red Ram]

Well, here is the culprit. The picture is the top right corner of the frame. It is a small crack but water does what water does. The installer removed the top two blue mounting pins before installing a new window. The top two pins could transmit body stress to the frame and cause these cracks to form. He also strategically applied some urethane over the frame where it usually cracked so it hopefully blocks intrusion if it cracks again. Wish me luck. Figure $800-$1000. Apparently Ram's fix is to apply urethane in the gap on the top of window but that does not always fix the problem.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Well, here is the culprit. The picture is the top right corner of the frame. It is a small crack but water does what water does. The installer removed the top two blue mounting pins before installing a new window. The top two pins could transmit body stress to the frame and cause these cracks to form. He also strategically applied some urethane over the frame where it usually cracked so it hopefully blocks intrusion if it cracks again. Wish me luck. Figure $800-$1000. Apparently Ram's fix is to apply urethane in the gap on the top of window but that does not always fix the problem.

Applying the flow-able permatex all the way across the top and down the sides will most likely take care of the leaks.

 

[bsi]

Took mine to Apple Auto glass, they put a different brand of window in that is stronger looking than the old one, night and day the difference in build quality. Don't know what the brand is but hope it lasts.

 

[SD Rebel]

Took mine to Apple Auto glass, they put a different brand of window in that is stronger looking than the old one, night and day the difference in build quality. Don't know what the brand is but hope it lasts.

That's awesome, is the design similar or is it essentially like the Ford design where there's a square in the middle of the glass?