Well, after almost 8 years use, my 3rd brake light has finally gone out. I'm going to replace it\them tonight. Its seems pretty straight forward, only fastened by two phillips head screws. My concern is the seal around the lens. I assume one exists and we've all read the leaking stories on here, fortunately mine has not had that problem (knock on wood). I am concerned that once I break that seal, I might have issues when reinstalling it.

Anyone have any recommendations or tips when I go to put the lens and seal back on? I thought about wiping the seal down with some armor-all or something? I might be worrying too much here, but I would like to avoid any leaking issues. Thanks.

 

i dont even know if there is a seal. i only have one screw in holding mine and i dont even have a leak.

 

Hmm, maybe mine is also only one screw, I just took a quick glance at it the other night so it's possible. Guess I'll just be real careful when taking it apart. I've read how it's a bad design, so I'm concerned about messing with it now after all these years.

 

no there are 2 screws(i lost one) but the 97-03 dont have the leaking problem its the 04-08 that have it.

 

The 97-03 rear window leak was related to the slider windows.
The fixed glass rear windows didn't leak.

 

Cool. Sounds like I was all concerned over nothing then. Thanks for the info fella's.

 

Not trying to stir up any worries but some of the 97-03's have had a problem with a leak from the back window even without the sliding rear glass. My 03 with the fixed rear window had this problem back a few years ago and took it in to the dealer and they told me it was a faulty rear seal around the entire back glass, nothing to do with the third brake light but it was apparently a somewhat common problem because they said they had seen quite a few of them in this bodystyle truck.

 

the CHMSL is not directly connected to the seal around the window. your fretting over nothing.

 

that's true. there is a rubber grommet, but you wont have to worry about that unless you're replacing the whole assembly. 2 screws, it pops out then it's replacing bulbs as normal.

the glass shop that fixed my rear window leak said it was a bad design for the gasket that goes around the whole back window...they didnt say it had anyhting to do with sliding or fixed.