Rust repair suggestions wanted: tailgate window / sunroof channel

[Goldenvoice]

In the midst of contemplating turning Ava out to pasture, I decided to look into a couple rainwater leaks which have irritated me the last couple winters.

The first is the tailgate (82 300TD). The lip that the glass rubber rides on is rusted away for a couple inches - bottom of the glass, just left of the wiper.
(Yes, the gate is up, and I'm standing behind the car to take the photo)

This is northwest Oregon, where Ava lives in the rain 9 months of the year. Which means the car gathers moisture, and doesn't fully dry out until summer...(yuck!)

Is there anything I can really do with this, or is it "find another tailgate" time?

Also, sitting in heavier rain, water will dribble in along the side of the headliner, just left of my head when seated in the drivers seat. A quick test of the sunroof drain (pitcher of water - sunroof open), has pointed me to a pin hole hiding among the rust in this photo. Drains otherwise are open, and water runs forward and back as it should, but 'some' drips through and lands on the driver's seat.



Ideas? (besides buy one from CA or AZ )

[Biodiesel300TD]

The sunroof leak looks like a good candidate for a good wire wheeling and a couple coats of POR15, and some epoxy sealant to fill the hole(s).

As for the hatch I'm sure you could fix it but it might be cheaper and easier to find a replacement hatch. A white one shouldn't be hard to find.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Biodiesel300TD

The sunroof leak looks like a good candidate for a good wire wheeling and a couple coats of POR15, and some epoxy sealant to fill the hole(s).

...

X2 on the sunroof. If you are feeling brave you can remove the headlining and then get the whole sunroof tray out...

[ashedd]

Did someone say white hatch parts? Send me a PM, I have a white hatch.

[vstech]

that rust in the hatch looks minor.
I'd pull the glass, and rubber, and go to town with a wire wheel, and coat it with por-15 and some jb weld filler, and sand it smooth. paint and put a new seal around the glass.

similar for the sunroof I'm sure.

[Goldenvoice]

Thanks for the insights!

I have some stainless a wonderful thickness for doing monkey-business repairs such as the tailgate... The 'lip' for the seal will need to be rebuilt - I won't really know the extent of the damage until I lift out the glass - so...

Pointers toward R&R of the rear window?
Does the chrome simply pull out of the rubber first?
On-line supplier with rubber that fits correctly?
And once the chrome and wiper are out of the way, do I simply cut the rubber, or?

[Biodiesel300TD]

You have to cut the rubber to get the trim and window out. The trim actually clamps the rubber to the window. When I did the seals on the front and rear glass on my 240 I cut the trim out, then cut through the rubber and pulled the window out. When you put it back in you have to put the seal on the glass then install the trim. Then install it in the car.

[Stretch]

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123RearWindowSeal