Under Windshield Airdam Rotting

I have three questions I need some help with.

First question: Has anyone else experienced this part starting to rot? It looks like rubber so I'd assume I'm not the first one to see this.

Second: Can the rubber be replaced or somehow repaired without replacing the whole piece?

Because third: I think I found the part number, but could really use some reassurance before blowing $170 on it.
https://autoparts.i-10toyota.com/products/product/louver-cowl-top-ventilator-5578120081

 

I think this is the part you are looking for and it’s around 530.00. There just some type of plastic that deteriorates with time in the elements.

 

Toyota charging over $500 for a piece of plastic is criminal.

 

I came across that part, but when I put in the vin it narrowed it down to the one I linked and that one stopped showing up.

Either way I don't think I want to spend that much. Do you think a bead of marine grade sealent along that seam would do the same job?

The main reason I'm concerned about it at all is it looks like it's making a gap into the inside of the truck.

 

I see the gap and you couldn’t hurt anything using some sealant to keep water out.

I have seen them on eBay for around 100.00

 

I'll keep my eye out. In the meantime I'll be ordering the sealant. Thank you.

 

It's interesting the aftermarket doesn't seem to have come up with a knockoff part like with fenders, grilles and bumpers. You can use a urethane sealant there. It doesn't need to be completely waterproof as the water just drains into the wiper cowl and flows out the side (into the space between the inner fender and outer fender). On the passenger side, there's an air inlet for the HVAC system, so the seal above this area needs to be in good condition.

 

Some water is always entering the cowl. I don't see the point in sealing it up, replacement of the rubber for appearances yes.

Looks like a possible low budget windshield replacement.

 

For $530 it would be worth your time to check a local junkyard.

 

they do make an universal moulding that can be used on some cowls.
https://equalizer.com/universal-cowl-moulding

The easiest fix I’ve seen, is to use some good UL electrical tape to tape over gap.

 

Much better than slapping on some sealant.

 

Does the price 530.00 from your dealer include labor or just the part.

 

The big problem is these parts shrink over time and cause the gap, which will 100% get water into cabin filter.

I wouldn't even bother with a used one unless the parts truck was nearly new.

 

That's just a temporary fix. Won't last long. Autoglass tech here. Did that for my uncle on his truck. Told him the same it's only temporary. Most likely gonna have to buy a whole new cowl. Or go to a junkyard and take one off of a crashed truck.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/has-anyone-removed-this-piece.538174/#post-17369771

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/windshield-cowl-destroyed.787610/page-3#post-28188782

edit: I guess it went up in price. It used to be $350 ish.

5570804071

 

...first off, they aren't especially hearty parts to begin with, and if one lives in a colder climates and needs to scrape frost or ice off a windshield at times, one would think that they would make this part more robust that with that delicate little rubber seal to the lower windshield.

...also, earlier on with the 2nd gens, they had a recall on those same parts due to failures, so this isn't uncharted territory, and the replacements ones were as weak as the originals, and probably the same.

...one would think that it would be something similar to a plumbing vent boot flashing type rubber seal, rather than some delicate little rubber strip meeting the windshield there.