Rear hatch weatherstripping

[east302]

I just bought a 98 two door with the tailgate and it's leaking along the top of the lift glass.

The weatherstripping looks great but the top piece attached to the truck had the flap pushed inside the lift glass. I pulled it out so the lip now rests on top of the glass. Is this how it is supposed to be?





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[east302]

So I've replaced all of the weatherstripping and found the leak source.

It is coming down from the roof over the top of this piece on the tailgate...



When the glass is shut, you can see a gap between the bottom of the lift glass and this rubber gasket. Same for both sides...



If this rubber piece were taller, it would seat against the metal on the lift gate when closed. Am I missing any weatherstripping on the lift gate?



There doesn't seem to be any play in the hinges, but the body lines look a little uneven, especially on the right which is where the gap between the gasket and liftgate is greatest.





When closed, the glass is about 1/4" out from being flush with the pillar...



Any suggestions? Am I missing weatherstripping on the bottom of the liftgate?




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[mtl111]

I would check to see if the hinges and/or latch can be adjusted to get the glass flush with the body. I don't know how long you've had this truck but maybe the rear glass was replaced at some point and not properly adjusted. Good luck!

 

[east302]

You may be on to something. I monkeyed around with the hinges today and made it worse...so maybe that's progress if I can make it go the other way. It looks to be a trial and error sort of thing.


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[east302]

Well, no dice on adjusting the hinges. I couldn't find a position that solved the clearance issue between the top edge of the tailgate insulator and bottom of the liftgate. It looks to be partially a tailgate alignment issue. If the right (passenger) side could come up a little, it could seal the gap. But, the tailgate hinges don't have any obvious play in them. The bushings don't seem to be hollowed out like you see on the front doors of these trucks. In addition, if the lift glass could close "in" more, it would tighten the seal against the bubble gasket.

I'm about to break down and just take it to a dealer...just hate the thought of them throwing parts at it.

 

[east302]

Just to update, I took it to a body shop who couldn't figure out the problem.

I did find a post on fullsizechevy.com from several years ago where the poster had the identical issue with no resolution. I borrowed his photos as they clearly show the issue that I'm having. He had removed the exterior black plastic pieces above the tail light to better show the gap at the tailgate...








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[PG01]

Does the latch for the window adjust, almost looks like the window needs to be pushed in more? Almost like when your door doesnt close all the way and u need to push it to the 'second' click, so to speak.....maybe that'll stop the water???.....just ideas

 

[east302]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion.

The window hinges are bolted to the upper body and to the glass frame. I removed the liftglass hinge pins and liftglass, repositioned the hinges in several ways and it did nothing. The liftglass striker has some adjustment, but it depends on the tailgate latch for how far in or out it goes when latches. I adjusted it and the tailgate latch in all possible configurations and it didn't help. I just don't get it, and this seems like something that should be simple.

But, yes, if the liftglass could go in more then it may close the gap some. I just don't see anything obviously wrong with the latches or the hinges...it's frustrating to say the least.


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[Kenny D]

Might not be the correct way to fix it but if you have no other option, I would get some weatherstrip and add a strip along the edge of the liftgate. You may have to push a little harder to get it closed but it would seal.

 

[mtl111]

This is definitely an adjustment issue and/or some worn out parts in the latch itself. That glass should be flush with the rear trim. I know you've done all kinds of adjusting on it but that has to be the issue. I found these old threads which I'm sure you've already seen...but here they are.

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/for-guys-running-the-tailgates.18718/

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/threads/rear-glass-wont-lock-in-when-closed.134645/


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