Gasket on rear window

[claudew]

I just noticed the gasket around the rear window of my 2018 Forester 3051 has a gap in the bottom corner. It appears to be a gasket around the window and not pulling away from the coach. The gasket is not pulling away from the.wimdow but appears to have a gap from the gasket around the frame. Can I put caulk there of do I need to replace.

[Duckogram]

That may be a kind of weep hole.

[mbutts]

We have the same issue on our 2017 3011DS. I tried for months to get another gasket from Forest River to have a local auto glass shop re-install the glass, no luck in getting the right part. We ended up using black sealant to "fix" the problem.

[claudew]

That was what I was thinking about doing. Thanks

[Ballistic]

The bottoms of window frames will not and should not be sealed with a sealant. Water/condensation needs a point of egress in the event it gets behind the frame.

[Duckogram]

Just want to verify that we are talking about frameless automotive style windows like the one on mine which is also an emergency exit…

[claudew]

This is the gap I am speaking of ot the corner of the window. No weep holes to block. I believe that I could apply black sealant with no complications. Any other suggestions.

[claudew]

This gap in on the lower right corner. For some reason the picture when uploaded flipped it.

[PoppySteve]

Personally, I would not apply any sealant. I had the same problem on both bottom corners and believe it to be ageing/shrinkage of the gasket.

What I did was gently remove the entire gasket and reseated it. Not too hard to do. It has held up well now for about 3 years, but I expect to have to do it again.

[claudew]

Do I have to remove the window to do this.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by claudew

This gap in on the lower right corner. For some reason the picture when uploaded flipped it.

Here you go. I brought the wrecker in and flipped you back upright.

Your window is very different. I would Silicone the poop out of that. Neatness counts.

[Ballistic]

A picture is worth a thousand words

Now that we see what's happening, I too would not seal it, just replace it. If it were to be sealed with a sealant there's a strong change the bead will continue to shrink. Then with the sealant being injected under/behind the frame the bead will not want to snap back into place.

There's something to be said about doing it right the first time.

[Duckogram]

Originally Posted by Ballistic

A picture is worth a thousand words

Now that we see what's happening, I too would not seal it, just replace it. If it were to be sealed with a sealant there's a strong change the bead will continue to shrink. Then with the sealant being injected under/behind the frame the bead will not want to snap back into place.

There's something to be said about doing it right the first time.

I am not seeing a frame and a bead or I might agree with the above. What I see is a solid rubber glazing seal that has weathered badly, discolored and the extrusion has split as long the lip.

[Ballistic]

The frame would be the outer plastic part that the bead snaps into.

[dougc905]

Originally Posted by claudew

This is the gap I am speaking of ot the corner of the window. No weep holes to block. I believe that I could apply black sealant with no complications. Any other suggestions.

That is a gasket that is shrinking. Or possibly it was installed with too much tension. You may have to contact the window manufacturer for a remedy.

[ChrisParise]

Originally Posted by dougc905

That is a gasket that is shrinking. Or possibly it was installed with too much tension. You may have to contact the window manufacturer for a remedy.

X2. On my 2006 Sunseeker all my gaskets have shrunk a little but the windows are sealed at the factory, so I am told...

Mine are a length of gasket material and do provide a path for water to drain where the gasket material meets at the bottom. My gasket can be pushed back into the corners or wherever they may happen to look like they're partially out of the channel.

I have been pushing them back in the channel and they stay that way for quite a while.

If your gasket is one joined piece you may be looking at replacing. If your windows are sealed at the factory the gasket is cosmetic and if you can push it back in the channel you might just want to cut it at the bottom to provide drainage and reposition the gasket.

[karykatz]

just a reminder to all posting. it is very helpful if you include the last six of your vin. this window is made by lippert and you should be able to order directly from them if your local dealer cannot help you get the replacement seal. it is definitely shrinkage. i don't believe sealing with caulk will affect the window

[claudew]

The last six digits is 044780.