Need help stopping rain incursion at liftgate/tailgate

Tahoe97 · Aug 27, 2013

I have a 97 Tahoe with tailgate. Can anyone provide tips on how to resolve a water incursion problem I am having at the junction of the corner edge of the top of the tailgate where it joins the bottom of the rear window? The problem area is where the tailgate & window meet the seal on the side of the rear opening.

My local Chevy dealer has replaced all the seals and is continuing to struggle to resolve this for me. Water appears to be able to flow over the top of the tailgate seal at the edge and down the inside of the tailgate into the rear of the truck.

I have a great truck in outstanding shape, looks great but this leak is creating all sorts of problems. I have had to toss the original carpet pad and a replacement pad due to water.

Help!

Gzes · Aug 27, 2013

Is it bent? Mine only leaked when it was sitting for years and had some Leaves in the seal. Cleaned it and fixed my problem.

Tahoe97 · Aug 27, 2013

Thanks for responding. Not bent. I noticed when I installed the new seal the window wasn't closing completely flush with the body. It was sticking out a little which didn't seem too unusual because of the new seal since the previous seal was original from 1996 so it was quite flat. Replaced the seal across the top of the tailgate too but now I am getting some water sneaking by the junction of the window, tailgate, and side seal. Driving me nuts. Gotta solve this mystery. Truck is too nice to have this to deal with.

SunlitComet · Aug 28, 2013

window latch working properly or adjusted wrong perhaps?

Tahoe97 · Sep 2, 2013

is there an adjustment that can be made with the latch to pull the window in tighter?

SunlitComet · Sep 2, 2013

Not sure about just tighter but you should be able to move the latch or striker for better alignment. Since I can not see one myself because I have barn doors myself. I would look to see how the latch is mounted to the end gate to see if perhaps you can shim it to closer towards the front of the vehicle hence pulling the window closed more. Make sure that your latch and striker is not worn out causing looseness. The part number for the latch should be gm 15720545 if you need something to compare the old one too. If you can get me some pics of how it is mounted in I might be able to give you a better recommendation on a probable fix.

Dowsewashere · Sep 8, 2013

Im having the same exact issue expect the water is coming from the weather stripping along the bottom left section. SO i think i maybe in the same boat. ive been battling it for ever and would also like a solution

95TahoePA · Sep 13, 2013

Not all water issues in the trunk part can be related to the hatch. . My Tahoe, plus BOTH my friends Fullsize Blazers needed the rear side windows reseated. I guess from flexing the "caulk" just gives out after awhile. Easiest way to find out without taking it apart, lightly go around the perimeter and tap on it with your knuckle.. it will sound hollower where the seal isnt good

Dowsewashere · Sep 19, 2013

See i had my rear window replaced because it was leaking but it still persists.
I know its coming from the rear bottom left but i dont feel like spending 100$ on a new oe strip

loubell · Oct 2, 2013

I had this same problem in my 98 Tahoe and this was my fix.
Because I am too cheap to buy a new seal, I simply bought some 1/4" vacuum hose X 11 feet. I poked a small hole into the seal about where the top glass part begins and I "worked" it, inside the seal, all the way around to the other side, to about where the glass part of the tailgate begins. The vacuum hose is completely inside the weather seal. This takes up space and can stop your leak. You can also adjust the top hinges to make it as snug as possible.

Need help stopping rain incursion at liftgate/tailgate

Tahoe97

Member

Gzes

the drifting 2dr

Tahoe97

Member

SunlitComet

OBS Jedi-Do Good

Tahoe97

Member

SunlitComet

OBS Jedi-Do Good

Dowsewashere

Member

95TahoePA

Full Access Member

Dowsewashere

Member

loubell

TYF Newbie

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