SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Rear Glass trunk seal on an 2004 SL55
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
2004 SL55, 2010 Ferrari California
Rear Glass trunk seal on an 2004 SL55
Has anyone out there replaced a rear glass trunk seal? Just had the dealer diagnose the small amount of water in my trunk when it rains heavy. Not a horrible price at around $530.00 parts and labor. That being said, if it's just the bulb seal that runs around the lower glass it doesn't seem too difficult to replace. Just wondered if anyone could shed some much needed light before just blindly paying the dealer for such a repair.
Thanks
Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 796
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From: Raleigh NC
2007 E63, 2006 C55
Re: Trunk Leak
I'd try this first.
Mine had just started doing this last Winter. Noticed it after washing the car a few times. It was the horizontal rubber weatherstrip at the base of the rear window leaking.
Buy a tube of black Permatex Ultra silicone. Gently pull the weatherstrip up starting in the center, pull it up as far as possible to each side. You will find a lot of dirt where it was attached. Clean everything on the metal and inside the rubber channel.
Get a roll of paper towels. Squeeze a liberal continuous bead of silicone from end to end inside the rubber channel, squeeze it into the outer areas as far as you can. Re-install the weatherstrip on the metal, press it down progressively from end to end. Wipe off the excess silicone with paper towels. Use a swab of gasoline on any residual silicone for perfect appearance.
Leak fixed, cost for silicone and paper towels about $10. Took me about 45 minutes to get everything perfect.
Mine had just started doing this last Winter. Noticed it after washing the car a few times. It was the horizontal rubber weatherstrip at the base of the rear window leaking.
Buy a tube of black Permatex Ultra silicone. Gently pull the weatherstrip up starting in the center, pull it up as far as possible to each side. You will find a lot of dirt where it was attached. Clean everything on the metal and inside the rubber channel.
Get a roll of paper towels. Squeeze a liberal continuous bead of silicone from end to end inside the rubber channel, squeeze it into the outer areas as far as you can. Re-install the weatherstrip on the metal, press it down progressively from end to end. Wipe off the excess silicone with paper towels. Use a swab of gasoline on any residual silicone for perfect appearance.
Leak fixed, cost for silicone and paper towels about $10. Took me about 45 minutes to get everything perfect.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
No. They don't sell the seal separately from the entire glass rear window. The procedure to fix works great. Just be careful when you are prying up around the bolts that secure it to the frame.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: FL
2003 SL 55
mine has been leaking bad, this past rainy season in florida has been a nightmare. my problem is the metal is rusted to absolute sh*t. like if i took the rubber off and cleaned the metal, got rid of all the rust, there would be no metal panel for the rubber to adhere to. I don't want to make it worse. thinking of trying that silicone method above without taking the seal off, just bending it open slightly and fill it all along.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
You need to remove the seal, sand the metal, prime, paint, and then do the double sided tape. Make sure to clean inside the rubber channel well or it won't adhere properly. I did the repair and it worked perfectly and I also live in sunny Florida.
I tried the shortcut and filled in with sealant and it still leaked. Made matters worse since I had to clean all of that out. Trust me on this one and do it the right way.
I tried the shortcut and filled in with sealant and it still leaked. Made matters worse since I had to clean all of that out. Trust me on this one and do it the right way.
Last edited by BlownV8; Oct 24, 2019 at 04:41 PM.
