ARE cap side window gaskets

Has anyone replaced these? My RH side has been leaking a little for a few years, but now I can no longer ignore it as I'm getting a lot of water in. I looked on YouTube but didn't find anything too informative. I realize that I can remove the window and measure the gasket thickness.... but was hoping that someone here has done this and can tell me the gasket that they used so I don't have to R&R it twice. It appears to just be a generic neoprene square or rectangular strip type "gasket" that they install at the factory and nothing special. But I'd like to know the thickness or what worked for you. The video I watched used a 7/16 thick rubber bulb type gasket and he said it was too thick but made it work. Obviously, I could buy a 3/8 and 1/4 and use trial and error.

I have a Z series cap.

Thanks!

 

I would think butyl would be a good permanent fix?

 

What has Are told you?
Getting ahold of them is a pain is the ass!

 

I've re-sealed my leer windoors and front facing cab window, if its the window style that sandwiches the cap with screws and the trim piece on the inside it was pretty easy. Second hand can be helpful to position and not drop it. I used a sort of closed cell weather strip gasket and was adhesive peel and stick on one side, it wasn't a bulb style but it did have these little ridges. I got it from the local bed cap dealer when I bought a new windoor from them. I don't think it was an actual leer or ARE manufacturer seal, but it's what they said they use on all their window installs/replacements. I added a thin bead of silicone cuz im paranoid, haven't had any leaking. I'm sure butyl could work but I think it would be more messy and a real pain if you ever have to remove it.

I think I have some foam strip left still, I'll try and grab a pic and measure it tonight.

 

I'd love to see a picture. I have a couple of local cap dealers, including Leer.

The front window on mine opens down for cleaning and it's just some generic looking square or rectangular neoprene seal that looks like I can source from McMaster. Which is what you said. I'm thinking the sides are the same, but I'd have to remove them to find out.

Yes, the side glass attaches to an inner frame with a zillion 1/4" head screws.

 

I called them when I first got my cap installed and had a leak. I explained the issue. They said they'd get back to me. They never did. I fixed it myself. And, 16 years later I haven't heard from them.

From what I've read, Leer is the same re customer service. Basically, we make it, and then you need to take issues up with your dealer. Of course I bought mine 90 miles away...

 

Totally forgot about this lol. I'll set a reminder for tonight after work.

 

Finally came across the gasket I used. It's .5 wide by .2 thick, backside is flat with adhesive.

 

my sliding side window was replaced by the used shell dealer when I bought it. he used a foam peel and slick product that looked like a generic house-style door foam weatherstrip roll. like maybe a 1/2" or 5/8"

 

Thanks!

 

Do u remember where your windoor was leaking? Mine is at very bottom, right in the middle. There’s raised piece of metal like where latches seat on sides. Leaks right there. U removed and resealed entire windoor or did u just remove and seal inner frame? Thx

 

I resealed the outer frame to the outer surface of the cap if that makes sense. That leak looks more like the actual window to frame gasket maybe? Mine does pool out the bottom of the "outer frame" but doesn't come in to the inside. Interesting that it is right where the inner frame is split it looks like.

 

That's been my experience with them as well- and talking to my local ARE dealer, it's their experience with ARE and Leer too. The manufacturers don't seem to have any interest in talking to actual owners, just "talk to your local dealer" so you call the dealers and they say they get basically no post sale support either. It's frustrating since I need new window "felt" (it's not actually felt, just the plastic strip that the windows slide in) and it's an odd size that I can't find. Mine has gotten hard over the years and it's falling out on both sides; In the past I was able to glue it back in place but this point I don't think anything short of something like epoxy would hold it where it needs to be (and I'm not sure how I'd clamp it to allow it to set up) but I'd still have a hardened piece of plastic that no longer really did it's job. For what they charge you'd expect better service and parts availability but that's never really been the case with the common names except maybe Snugtop (no real experience with them since you don't see many on this side of the country).