Rear window leak

[JohnH4260]

5 minutes ago, Pacfanweb said:

Not bad.  You take the 2 coat hooks loose.  Remove the C pillars.   Pop the headliner down, you have to kind of get your hands up over the headliner and "help" the clips break free for the overhead light.  Then you just kind of bend it down and you can get at the bolts/nuts.  

The TSB says replace the nuts, because the new nuts have new sealer on them...I guess they don't trust random techs all over the country to put new sealer on the old nuts, lol. 
But if you have enough sense to reseal the nuts, you don't need the new ones.   Plus, I seal the holes from the outside while I have it off.   Just makes sense to me. 
To seal the nuts on the inside, (which I still do even though I also seal it on the outside) I use 3M Windo Weld Ribbon Sealer, 08612.   Just clip off a small piece and kind of wrap it around the stud, then run the nuts down and it's sealed forever. 

 

To prep the "channel" at the top of the window for sealer, I take a folded up blue (can get them anywhere) shop paper towel soaked in brake cleaner.   Push it down in the gap and use a screwdriver or plastic interior tool to run it back and forth to get all the dirt. 

Note:  No matter what you use for solvent, do NOT get it on the outside of the plastic trim over the sliding glass.  The shiny part.   It will dull it and it won't ever be shiny again.   So don't let your paper towel touch that.   Otherwise, it won't hurt the paint or the glass.  

 

 

Thank you, really appreciate it. If I lived closer to you, I’d pay you to seam seal my window. 

[Jav_eee]

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/rear-window-loose-leaking-431738/
 
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/2015-f150-fx4-supercrew-rear-window-leaking-326564/
Multiple other links for window leaks in that thread
 
https://www.f150forum.com/f2/2015-lariat-rear-sliding-window-leak-310443/
 
https://www.f150forum.com/f12/rear-power-sliding-window-top-track-loose-418676/
 
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/sliding-window-gap-453048/
 
 
I could keep going, but trust me when I tell you, "it's a thing".   Might not be as bad as the GM truck windows, but it's significant. 

Sure, you can find anything you want if you look for it. I’m talking about the current topics on the forums. First 3 pages (that’s all I cared to look at) and not one thread about leaks.


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[Jav_eee]

Maybe the new GM's leak worse now.   They've only had this window setup for 2 years now.  (3 model years, I guess)
 
But I am a water leak/wind noise/sunroof repair specialist, and 2 Ford dealers locally are my biggest customers, and I can tell you without hesitation that OVERALL...not just talking the back glass only, but OVERALL LEAKS, it's not even close.   F150's leak like it's a contest to see how many they can have.    And I love them for it. 
 
The only consistent leaks I see in GM trucks are the shark fins (pre-2019) and back glasses (now), which are turning out to be a pretty big issue.   Other than that, on the GM's you only see the odd sunroof drain, or body seam, etc...same random stuff you see on anything else, but not much of it at all. 

F150's leak from:   Sunroofs.  A/C drains (these FLOOD the interior).   Rear window.  Rear cab vents.  Roof seams.  Body plugs. 
Combine that with the fact that their big panoramic sunroofs also break like someone gets paid for it.   

And that's just the things from MY area of the repair field.  
 
So yeah, the newer GM back glasses might be worse than the Fords...but overall leaks?   They aren't.  
 
And I can tell you this:  Since Ford went to the aluminum body and the current style back window in 2015, I've diagnosed easily over 100 of them leaking that had to be replaced.   That's me, just one person, at 2 dealerships. (they are big dealerships, in fairness)  You know how many F-150's there are, so if I'm seeing that many, there are a LOT.  
 
Details:  On the 2015-up 150's, the sliding glass upper and lower "tracks" are GLUED to the window.  Not part of the frame like they used to be.   So the glue comes loose, water gets between the window and the track.    Only possible repair is replace the glass.    That's why they leak.   
I will also say, I've seen a TON of them that leak a little....but maybe that particular truck had a bigger leak from the cabin vent, so I fixed that and told them to keep an eye on the glass.   But many, many of them at least "seep", and the customers don't even know it.    
 
So that's where I'm coming from when I say the GM's don't leak as much.  Yeah, their back glasses might be worse, but overall, they are not. 
 
 
 

Interesting. I’ll pay more attention to those areas. The AC drain leak is an easy one. The body seam ones sound like a nightmare. I don’t have a sunroof. Thanks for the info though.


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[UGADawgs]

3 hours ago, Jav_eee said:

 

Sure, you can find anything you want if you look for it. I’m talking about the current topics on the forums. First 3 pages (that’s all I cared to look at) and not one thread about leaks.


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And that https://www.f150forum.com site is filled with drama compared to https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/ which seems to get more activity and nothing about leaking windows yet, so I've stuck with the newer forum. 

Edited March 31, 2021 by UGADawgs

[BamaBen]

12 hours ago, Pacfanweb said:

Maybe the new GM's leak worse now.   They've only had this window setup for 2 years now.  (3 model years, I guess)

 

But I am a water leak/wind noise/sunroof repair specialist, and 2 Ford dealers locally are my biggest customers, and I can tell you without hesitation that OVERALL...not just talking the back glass only, but OVERALL LEAKS, it's not even close.   F150's leak like it's a contest to see how many they can have.    And I love them for it. 

 

The only consistent leaks I see in GM trucks are the shark fins (pre-2019) and back glasses (now), which are turning out to be a pretty big issue.   Other than that, on the GM's you only see the odd sunroof drain, or body seam, etc...same random stuff you see on anything else, but not much of it at all. 

F150's leak from:   Sunroofs.  A/C drains (these FLOOD the interior).   Rear window.  Rear cab vents.  Roof seams.  Body plugs. 

Combine that with the fact that their big panoramic sunroofs also break like someone gets paid for it.   

And that's just the things from MY area of the repair field.  

 

So yeah, the newer GM back glasses might be worse than the Fords...but overall leaks?   They aren't.  

 

And I can tell you this:  Since Ford went to the aluminum body and the current style back window in 2015, I've diagnosed easily over 100 of them leaking that had to be replaced.   That's me, just one person, at 2 dealerships. (they are big dealerships, in fairness)  You know how many F-150's there are, so if I'm seeing that many, there are a LOT.  

 

Details:  On the 2015-up 150's, the sliding glass upper and lower "tracks" are GLUED to the window.  Not part of the frame like they used to be.   So the glue comes loose, water gets between the window and the track.    Only possible repair is replace the glass.    That's why they leak.   
I will also say, I've seen a TON of them that leak a little....but maybe that particular truck had a bigger leak from the cabin vent, so I fixed that and told them to keep an eye on the glass.   But many, many of them at least "seep", and the customers don't even know it.    

 

So that's where I'm coming from when I say the GM's don't leak as much.  Yeah, their back glasses might be worse, but overall, they are not. 

 

 

 

This...and all the leaks on ramtrucks.com...is pushing me to the Tundra.  Bulletproof design with bad mpg and boring interior, but at least it’s dry

[Z71RAD88]

14 minutes ago, BamaBen said:

This...and all the leaks on ramtrucks.com...is pushing me to the Tundra.  Bulletproof design with bad mpg and boring interior, but at least it’s dry

 

Current Tundra owner. Looking to get a GM because I have boring interior and bad mpg. Ha! 

[Pacfanweb]

18 minutes ago, BamaBen said:

This...and all the leaks on ramtrucks.com...is pushing me to the Tundra.  Bulletproof design with bad mpg and boring interior, but at least it’s dry

I replaced 2 F-150 sunroof tracks this afternoon, and an Explorer track to go with them. 

Explorers are pretty rare, but the 150's have loads of issues like this. 

[Transient]

I replaced 2 F-150 sunroof tracks this afternoon, and an Explorer track to go with them. 

Explorers are pretty rare, but the 150's have loads of issues like this. 

I've heard of lots of Explorer sunroof issues, but not the F150

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[SigPig94]

Picked up my 2021 GMC Elevation less than 2 weeks ago and just dropped it off at dealer service this morning for the rear window leak.  I’m SO disappointed in myself for not having read about this issue while doing my pricing/optioning/etc research before I bought......guess I’ll just have to see where this inevitable ride takes me.

Awesome forum BTW.....glad I joined...learning tons...thanks all.

Edited April 1, 2021 by SigPig94

[GN2018]

3 hours ago, SigPig94 said:

Picked up my 2021 GMC Elevation less than 2 weeks ago and just dropped it off at dealer service this morning for the rear window leak.  I’m SO disappointed in myself for not having read about this issue while doing my pricing/optioning/etc research before I bought......guess I’ll just have to see where this inevitable ride takes me.

Awesome forum BTW.....glad I joined...learning tons...thanks all.

Well, I knew about it (through this forum) and still bought a 2021.  Hopefully the service will fix it.  I feel that if I get burned, I’ll try for an install of a non-sliding window under warranty.

[Johnjr]

I really hope this 22’ new interior brings a new window design. I am planning on ordering a 3.0 for a daily driver and won’t order it without a new design. I wonder how many normal non enthusiasts have leaking windows and don’t know it!

[SigPig94]

16 hours ago, GN2018 said:

Well, I knew about it (through this forum) and still bought a 2021.  Hopefully the service will fix it.  I feel that if I get burned, I’ll try for an install of a non-sliding window under warranty.

We’ll see......heard nothing yesterday so I just called service dept....waiting for call-back.  I’m totally with you on the non-slider install approach.....pretty depressing that I’m thinking about that happening more than I am about my current issue getting fixed.  Oh well, fingers crossed.

[SigPig94]

Just got the call-back from service dept......confirmed the leak in the rear slider and ordered a new one which should arrive MON.  I inquired about getting a NON-slider installed and the gentleman said he would contact GM and see if that is possible.  We spoke for several minutes, had a good conversation, and he seemed to genuinely understand my concerns and my curiosity regarding other options (ie: non-slider).  
So I guess I was expecting a re-seal to be performed first.....but instead it’ll be a new window.  Ideally I’d love to keep the sliding rear window...it’s a great option.....but if a non-slider would solve the leak issue (???), I’m all for it.
Any opinions/advice/thoughts would be welcome....that’s why I’m here.  

[Transient]

Some people have had the leak fixed and not had future problems. Others have had the leak fixed and continued to have problems. The question I think that need to be asked is whether or not your dealership service department is competent.

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[OnTheReel]

Whatever makes the first window crack is likely to make the replacement crack too. It has played out that way several times here.
 

So I guess in some twisted way, having a well done seam sealer job over the original cracked frame may actually hold up longer and be preferable to another replacement window.

 

The problem is, things are rarely ever done well and I wouldn’t trust either process.