Procedures
1. Open rear liftgate.
2. Install a liftgate inner panel drain hole plug (P/N 21121827) into center drain hole at bottom of rear liftgate as shown in illustration.
3. Pierce center of the left liftgate inner panel drain hole plug, located 305 mm (12 inches) to the left of center by using a cotter pin removal tool or an awl. Carefully pry liftgate inner panel drain hole plug from hole and discard.
IMPORTANT:
Using a pointed tool such as an awl to pierce the center of the liftgate inner panel drain hole plug for removal reduces the possibility of paint damage.
4. Remove spare tire.
5. If necessary, dry spare tire well.
6. Close rear liftgate and run an unrestricted flow of water at the top center of rear liftgate and inspect rear of spare tire well for water.
a. If water is present, go to Step 7.
b. If no water is present from this waterflow location, refer to "Waterleaks" in the "General Information" section of the "Body/Collision Repair Service Manual."
7. Using a "china" marker and a tape measure, measure 686 mm (27 inches) to each side of the butt joint at bottom of rear liftgate opening and make a mark on the weatherstrip. (Refer to illustration.)
8. Remove bottom third of rear liftgate weatherstrip from metal flange.
9. Starting at marks on weatherstrip, trim outer lip from bottom third of weatherstrip on each side of vehicle.
10. Remove rear liftgate opening sill plate trim molding.
11. Turn weatherstrip over 180 degrees. Using 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive (P/N 08008) or equivalent, apply a 3.18 mm (1/8 inch) bead inside bottom third of weatherstrip retention channel as shown in illustration and re-install weatherstrip, press down firmly to make sure seal is fully seated.
IMPORTANT:
It is essential that weatherstrip is fully seated along the entire upstanding metal flange.
12. Install rear liftgate opening sill plate trim molding over the top of inner lip of weatherstrip.
13. Close rear liftgate and run an unrestricted flow of water at top corner of rear liftgate and inspect rear spare tire well for water.
a. If leak is present, go to Step 14.
b. If leak is not present, install spare tire, repair is complete.
14. Dry spare tire well, open rear liftgate and run an unrestricted flow of water over lap joint 1, one side of the vehicle at a time, and inspect for water leaking into spare tire well. (Refer to illustration.)
a. If leak is present, go to Steps 17 and 18.
b. If leak is not present, go to Step 15.
15. Direct an unrestricted flow of water over lap joint 2, one side of the vehicle at a time, and inspect for water leaking into spare tire well. (Refer to illustration.)
a. If leak is present, go to Steps 17 and 18.
b. If leak is not present, go to Step 16.
16. Direct an unrestricted flow of water over lap joint 3, one side of the vehicle at a time, and inspect for water leaking into spare tire well. (Refer to illustration.)
a. If leak is present, go Steps 17 and 18.
b. If leak is not present at any of the lap joints, install spare tire and refer to "Waterleaks" in the "General Information" section of the "Body/Collision Repair Service Manual."
17. Apply a medium bodied leak check sealer such as Kent Industries Leak Chek (P/N HT-B 10070) or equivalent, to the lap joint(s) that has been found (by watertest) to leak and let sealer cure according to manufacturer's recommendation.
NOTE:
The area most likely to leak in lap joint 1 is shown in the highlighted circle in the illustration. If sealer is missing behind the taillamp assembly, it will be necessary to partially remove the taillamp assembly to properly gain access when applying sealer to lap joint 1.
18. Repeat Steps 14, 15 and 16 to verify repair. When it is confirmed that waterleak has been repaired, install spare tire.