leaky front window gasket

[cali_surfer]

Hey everyone, maybe one of you can help me out on this. It's been pouring cats and dogs out here and my front window gasket always leaks a little bit when it pours really hard. I replaced the gasket when I painted my truck and the new gasket is still in great shape. It's the deluxe version, with the trim, and I've heard these are notorious for leaking. I'm not going to replace the gasket again, but was wondering if there is a rubber type sealant that could be used underneath the rubber lip of the gasket to help me out. See, the problem isn't with the whole thing leaking, its just one part.... the lower passenger corner. It appears as if the water rolls down the windshield, gets under the top lip of the gasket and then circles under the gasket and onto the top of the dash. Anyone have a similar problem?

[69 Short Fleet]

Yes, mine appears to be letting water in from the top corner (drivers side) area. I'm thinking the same thing you are with the rubber type sealant, going to have to mask the paint first though as it could get messy!, later Doug

[cali_surfer]

Yes you're right..... anything involved with sealants or rubbery type stuff is going to be messy. I'm just wondering if such an item is made for this specific purpose. I know on the new cars they use an adhesive for attaching windshields, but that wouldn't be right for this application. I've heard silicone causes more harm than good, thats why I mentioned the idea of a rubber based sealant, if such a beast is made.... ?

[Bill72BB]

Cali I can't help but mine leaks in the same place as 69 Short Fleet at times . I've been going to look for what you are asking but haven't gotten around to it , we don't get that much rain here.

[Primer_72]

3M #8609 Super-fast windo weld. Its urethane. Its pretty thick stuff so it shouldnt be too messy...

[cali_surfer]

How might that stuff be applied? It's almost like you need a tiny little applicator or a very fine nozzle if its a squirt tube. Thanks for the input.

Yeah, we don't get much rain where I'm at either, but I'd still like to eliminate the leak ... it bugs me ya know?

[Hutch]

Try a test when it is dry by applying water where you think the leak is.
The leak may be higher up than it appears, gravity plays a major role in the downward path of these leaks.
It may be the drip rail that is letting the water enter in. There is a direct path from the roof down the window pilliar. This is helped out by the gaps left by the creases where the body panels are joined together.
When you apply the water for a test start at the seam on the drip rail closest to the window pilliar.

[Primer_72]

The 3M stuff is in a caulk tube, so you can cut the tip as fine as you want....

[Mudder]

Just had mine fixed and a windshield salesman did it. Not sure what he used but it worked. He shot a bead under the gasket and the way around. Had to take the visor off. If needed I can find out what he used.

[Johns70]

don't use the urethane, it sets up hard. thats what they use for glue in winshields with no rubber seal.

3-m makes a window glazing sealant that stays plyable. this is what the glass shops use.
i've had good luck with it to seal the winshialds and back glass.
cut the tip so theres about 1/8 too3/16 hole on the end of the caulking tube,and use a teflon or plastic thingey to lift the rubber enough to get the tip of the caulking tube under the lip and pull the trigger and move along the window rubber.do outside between the body and rubber and then do between the rubber and window. the upper corners around the upper seam and vertical posts will take much more sealant than the rest because of a bigger void to fill. hope this helps.

oh yeah this stuff is really messy so try not to get to much of it to ooze out of the rubber, laquer thinner cleans it up but you will have to throw away the clean up rags.

[71-longbed]

i found a leak from up under the dash on the passenger side that originated from the base of the antenna .....water finds routes

rust buster

[cali_surfer]

Johns70, you wouldnt happen to know the part number would you? Sounds like the stuff you're talking about is exactly what I'm looking for!!

[Johns70]

3-m #08509 beding and glazing compond

[Boardrider52]

did u replace it yourself or did someone else do it for you and if so who

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

I could be very wrong but most leaks in these cabs are not the gasket. Have someone run a barely running water hose at the cowl just below the start of the gasket for about a minute while you check for water leaks inside then move up a couple of inches at a time until you find the leak. Most times it's a body seam in the cowl area or the antenna wire hole.

[cali_surfer]

Thanks Johns70

Boardrider - I didn't replace the windshield myself, had a local auto glass company do it for me. I weighed the options and didn't want to deal with breaking the glass so had them do it. They told me up front that they've had some leaks on the deluxe trim versions of the 67-72 variety before. They said the standard window gasket seals up a lot better. Gotta love the repro stuff huh?

Mothertruckers - I'll try that out with the garden hose, but I don't think it's leaking in from the cowl. Before I painted my truck I sealed up all the seams, shaved the antenna, and filled in where the grommet was for the antenna wire. But I'll definitely try the hose trick.