My son just bought a 1978 Aspen that is leaking at the rear window. Our local parts guy told us that we can take the silver trimming off and use some kind of silicone on the window then put trim back on. Problem with this is I'm not a mechanic & am not sure how to take the trim off. My son is insistent that we have to take the glass out (although we have been told that we DON'T) & I am not willing to do this. Any suggestions or advice is greatly needed... Thank You

Reba

Gooping it up with silicone is a half-baked measure that will usually not solve the problem "all the way fixed". It should not be terribly expensive to take the car to a qualified glass shop and have them remove the glass, fix the seal and reinstall the glass, and doing so will save you a great deal of hassle in the long run. Of course, you have to be prepared to maybe find rusted metal at the glass "fence" when the glass is removed. Depending on the extent of rust, usually a fix can be effected without extensive metal work. But, the bottom line is that it is rarely successful to try to "seal" leaking glass without removing it.

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

It's probably not a leaking glass. It's more likely leaking metal (well, metal oxide), especially if it's an Aspirin.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Hi Reba,

Sometimes you can get away with Silicon, but it's not the best method. It is likely to start leaking again. The seal problably isn't the whole problem.
Have somebody knowledgeable look at it. They should be able to isolate the problem.
You may find that you are money ahead to take it in to a reputable glass/body shop, and have a new seal put in. Get a quote. They will be able to inspect it before the work is done, and should be able to figure out what factors contributed to the leak in the first place. Like rust. If they won't guaranty the work, your not at the right place.
Personally, I don't take the risk with windshields and rear glass. It can be done with patience and technique.
If you choose to do it yourself, see if you can get a friend with experience to help you. It helps to have the right tools as well.


CJ

These guys are dead on with their suggestions. Rubber window gaskets don't just suddenly start leaking for no reason. After all, the gasket fits over a raised metal lip (or as Dan said, a "fence"), and the glass is cradled inside a continuous groove in the gasket on the outside of that lip. Pretty difficult for water to get over that lip, unless the rubber is failing (dry and cracked). Most likely, the window channel is rusted through underneath the gasket and chrome trim, allowing water in that way.

Flexible sealants are just temporary stop-gap measures, but in the long run will hide, or exacerbate, the real problem. Granted, more modern windows are actually held in place with butyl adhesives, but these old-timers relied on just the gasket to do its job. Do yourselves a favor and locate a reliable glass shop to quote a proper (and permanent) fix. Nothin' like dealing with a a nagging water leak to take all the enjoyment out of owning your very own MOPAR.

Let us know what you come up with,
Jerry

p.s. I did not see in your post where you guys are located. Let us know, and maybe a knowledgable member is in your vicinity and could lend a hand.

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There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.