Fix: Rear Slider Window Louver Leak – in 10 complicated steps (1 Viewer)

[SNLC]

Thanks @HardyDanger for the detailed writeup! I had the exact same leak pattern on the jack and other side of the truck as well- so this was really helpful.

In my case, it was the exhaust vent duct that was leaking. I can see the leak happening from any of the clip holes as well. The path of water from the gutter happens to perfectly run every hole in that vent area! LOL

1. access hole for the 8mm bolt that holds the cover plate-use a magnet, it's too fiddly to chance dropping it. (access for the top mounting clip pictured by @AussieMick80 two posts up)

2. red is where seals dry out and start leaking. Green line is the path of water from the gutter. Basically seeps in behind the duct, runs down the side and into the vehicle.
The duct is very thin blow molded type plastic so it can distort, not lay flush w/ metal once the adhesive dries out.

3. vent assembly. Once cover is off, unscrew (2) and pry out baffle assembly w/ spudger, then duct can be pulled out.

4,5. pics for demonstration- kudos to hardydanger for applying tape to the thin rubber trim!! No way I have the patience. I used butyl rope and stretched it across to stick the trim down and adhere to the body.
Also used it around the duct to seal it. (photo just for demonstration- you have to clean well and apply rope with care before mounting)

additionally, I used butyl to seal the cover plate on since a couple of my clips were broken. Bummer. But, it does weather seal the cover much better than stock this way.
I'm not advocating using butyl rope over any other method, it's just a good solution for me since I have it on hand and it seemed appropriate for the job.

*as OP mentioned, getting it the cover trim back in under the rubber lip can be a challenge- just use rubber lube and it will slide in easily with a spudger.

View attachment 3285582

View attachment 3285583

View attachment 3285584

View attachment 3285585

View attachment 3285586

Toyota used butyl just like this for the flapper inner vent part.

You can put a small dab of seam sealer on the nut before installing from the backside.

I use butyl to get the gasket on the louver to stay in place. Just a real thin bead. Even with brand new louvers that double sided tape sucks.

The louvers are very easy to install if you do it before the sliding window gaskets. Not many people doing it that way though.

Cheers

 

[jht3]

just tackled the drivers side this weekend. no pics though as i suck at that part.

the hardest part was probably slipping the trim pieces back under the slider window gasket, where I used a soapy water mixture in a spray bottle as my lube of choice, and worked the window gasket from top to bottom being careful to try and keep the louver rubber trim adhered.

got the louver off without breaking anything. trick was pushing the top clip out from the inside with a small socket (~6mm) on an extension, to release the clip. then pulled back gently from the exterior on the bottom and top while sliding the whole thing upwards.

i used 3M butyl rope to seal everything as i've had a box in my stash for 10+ years. i think my biggest leak was the old gasket around the flapper vent piece. added butyl as clip gasket material, and all along the louver rubbery trim to re-adhere it to the louver itself. only piece i may have skipped is a gasket on the bottom metal stud as I didn't see one. if it leaks from there, i can seal it from the inside at least.

 

[Albatross80]

just tackled the drivers side this weekend. no pics though as i suck at that part.

the hardest part was probably slipping the trim pieces back under the slider window gasket, where I used a soapy water mixture in a spray bottle as my lube of choice, and worked the window gasket from top to bottom being careful to try and keep the louver rubber trim adhered.

got the louver off without breaking anything. trick was pushing the top clip out from the inside with a small socket (~6mm) on an extension, to release the clip. then pulled back gently from the exterior on the bottom and top while sliding the whole thing upwards.

i used 3M butyl rope to seal everything as i've had a box in my stash for 10+ years. i think my biggest leak was the old gasket around the flapper vent piece. added butyl as clip gasket material, and all along the louver rubbery trim to re-adhere it to the louver itself. only piece i may have skipped is a gasket on the bottom metal stud as I didn't see one. if it leaks from there, i can seal it from the inside at least.

Another tip for removing the black outside trim:

I had better luck popping out the top plastic rivet with your method pushing with a 6mm socket from the inside. I didn’t see a way to push on the lower plastic rivet. BUT if you have the top rivet out and the bottom threads pulled away from the body, you can pull the plastic trim downward and the middle plastic rivet will slide out of the trim piece. ***mind the metal screw while you do this to not scratch your paint!*** I managed to scratch mine a bit but I think it should buff out.

 

[jht3]

Another tip for removing the black outside trim:

I had better luck popping out the top plastic rivet with your method pushing with a 6mm socket from the inside. I didn’t see a way to push on the lower plastic rivet. BUT if you have the top rivet out and the bottom threads pulled away from the body, you can pull the plastic trim downward and the middle plastic rivet will slide out of the trim piece. ***mind the metal screw while you do this to not scratch your paint!*** I managed to scratch mine a bit but I think it should buff out.

yup, that is exactly how i did it other than the direction. i pulled up, but the way the clip is held in the trim, down works just as well.

i also didn't scratch my paint

 

[Albatross80]

yup, that is exactly how i did it other than the direction. i pulled up, but the way the clip is held in the trim, down works just as well.

i also didn't scratch my paint

Ouch David. Ouch.

That's so odd. I just double checked mine and the middle rivet can only come out if you slide the trim piece down; at least on the driver's side. Doing the other side tomorrow. Weird.

 

[jht3]

Ouch David. Ouch.

That's so odd. I just double checked mine and the middle rivet can only come out if you slide the trim piece down; at least on the driver's side. Doing the other side tomorrow. Weird.

hmmm, now i'm wondering if my clip retainer is compromised/broken as my clip can slide completely through the retainer versus U-shaped. didn't inspect that closely b/c i was excited that plastic parts didn't go flying nor did i take any pics unfortunately.