Leaking rear window

[feller]

Im the proud new owner of a 1999 Silverado 2500, with 193,xxx miles. Also I've inherited all of the 20 year old problems that go with it. First thing that needs to be done is getting the rear window to stop leaking. It has a rear slider that looks to be aftermarket, i say this because it has a frame and the po put silicone caulking around it (ironically this isn't working, if it ever did). I know that the original windows didn't have frames and used a urethane adhesive, but I don't think I've ever seen a rear slider, if i have i never paid any attention to it.

So, who has a rear slider, can I see pictures of it, was there a factory option for one, and can i make it seal?

I am 100% sure it isn't the slider that is leaking, its poor sealing where the urethane goes.

Also it's been leaking long enough to rot the passenger side floor (under the carpet) and long enough to make it smell funky (I thought the smell was from the old man who owned it,WRONG!)
any help is appreciated

[TKCR]

Are you sure the leak is coming from the rear window? I ask this only because I have an 06 Colorado. Whenever it rained, I would see water leaking down the inside of the rear window. I wanted to replace the solid glass with a slider anyways. But the glass place that replaced the rear window, said my leak was actually coming from the 3rd brake light. They showed me where the water was getting passed the rubber seal on the brake light, and then it found it way back out on the inside of the rear window.

[feller]

That might be part of it, cause there's caulking around it too, but I've seen the water dripping in at the window. Guess I could try a new gasket there too

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by feller

That might be part of it, cause there's caulking around it too, but I've seen the water dripping in at the window. Guess I could try a new gasket there too

My water was coming in at the top of the window too, but they said the water was coming past the brake light gasket. That’s where it was getting in at. They showed me, otherwise I would have never believed it. I would have sworn it was the window leaking.

[feller]

I will definitely check this now

[feller]

Upon further investigation, I have found the slider to be broken. And the frame simply looks to be an extension so the window will fit properly, but if it's broken im betting that's the problem. I did check the 3rd brake light and it appears to be dry with no signs or leakage (rust, wet dust and or dirt).
1st pic is the corner of the window/frame. The other 2 ar of the broken area

[TKCR]

Yep, that doesn’t look good. Looks like you need to replace your window. Here’s my Before & After. I like the slider a lot better.

[feller]

Does it stick out? I know that the silverados are flush.

[TKCR]

Yeah it does a little, but the cap still had plenty of room.

[Gerty68]

The frame is cracked and leaking. That is a factory slider and they have a tendency to crack at the sliding window area(third pic shows it). The fix is to replace with a straight glass or a aftermarket slider. Interesting enough is that the aftermarket sliders used to come with third brake light gaskets too!

[Boog]

I have a rear window leak around my '06 GMC crew cab. The headliner is stained on both sides in the outer corners. The stains are only in the corners. The slider is factory and there are no cracks around it's perimeter. As far as I can tell the upper tail lamp has never been out. The glass shop suggested it might be coming in around the lamp assembly. So that is the most likely source of the leak? I wonder about the area around the glass in the upper outside corners where that rubber strip is on each side. It looks like water could get in there as well if the adhesive failed. Anyone else deal with this water problem?

[Boog]

I went ahead and pulled the 3rd brake lamp out and found the gasket hard and cracked in one spot. Also I see how water can get inside there and run over to the corners. Now to find a gasket. Then a new headliner.

[hatzie]

I bought a new GM lens that has a fresh gasket because the Nevada and Northern California desert sun destroyed the lens as well as the gasket on my truck. The poor girl leaked on the way home from the shippers depot in Mass.

If possible... when you find a good gasket please post where you found it and maybe pictures. We like pictures here.

[Boog]

I received the new gasket yesterday and I put it on today. The new one is thicker than the OG one and has good adhesive on both sides. It comes with two alcohol wipes. This is an aftermarket one my wife ordered through Amazon. $6.99 + tax. That should take care of the leak. Now I'll get that headliner replaced.