When you've noticed a damp headliner or even a weird, musty smell in your vehicle, it's probably period to look in your 2020 ram 1500 3rd brake light gasket . It's one of those annoying small things that shouldn't actually be a problem on a modern pickup truck, but here we are. Ram owners throughout the forums know the drill—one day it's great downpour, and the next thing a person know, there's the water stain creeping across the material above your back again seat. It's irritating, sure, however the good news is that will it's actually the pretty easy repair once you know what you're searching at.
The high-mount stop light, or the third brake light since many of us contact it, sits best at the best of the cab. It's a prime spot for water to collect, and if that seal isn't doing its job, gravity does the particular rest. Before going considering you have a rear window drip or even a sunroof issue, make sure that gasket. It's usually the reason.
Why the factory seal does not work out so often
You'd think a truck built for typically the long haul might have a gasket that could handle a little bit of rain. The particular problem with the stock 2020 ram 1500 3rd brake light gasket is often the materials itself. The manufacturer usually uses the relatively thin, open-cell foam gasket. Over time, heat from the sun and the constant pressure from being bolted lower cause that foam to compress plus lose its "bounce. "
After the foam loses its elasticity, it stops creating the watertight seal towards the body of the truck. Small spaces form, and since the light rests in a little bit of a recessed area, drinking water pools there plus eventually finds the way behind your invisalign aligner housing. From presently there, it's a direct shot into your own interior. In case you live somewhere with high humidity or frequent heavy storms, this particular process happens even faster.
Recognizing the symptoms associated with a leak
If you're not really sure if your own gasket is bread toasted, there are a few dead giveaways. The most obvious one is usually water dripping through the headliner near the rear window. However, sometimes it's even more subtle. You might notice your rear floor mats are damp for no reason, or your own back window appears to fog up way more compared to it should.
Another thing to verify is the light housing itself. In case you see moisture or even condensation inside the particular lens of the particular third brake light, that's a clear indication that the close off has failed. That moisture isn't simply bad for your interior; it may also corrode the bulb sockets or even the LED panel over time, leading to a much even more expensive repair compared to just a basic gasket swap.
Getting a better alternative gasket
When you go to fix this, a person have two true choices. You can go to the dealership and get an OEM replacement, or even you can go the aftermarket route. Now, usually, I'm a "stick along with factory parts" type of person, but in the case of the 2020 ram 1500 3rd brake light gasket , the particular aftermarket often has the better remedy.
Many aftermarket replacement companies produce gaskets made from fuller, closed-cell foam and even high-grade silicone. Closed-cell foam is much better at withstanding water since it doesn't soak up such as a sponge. Search for a gasket that is definitely slightly thicker than the original. That extra "meat" enables it to compress more effectively plus fill in any slight imperfections in the truck's page metal.
Exactly how to swap it out yourself
You don't need to be a master mechanic to handle this particular. It's a two-screw job that usually requires about twenty moments if you take your time. You'll need a screwdriver (usually a Phillips, although some trims vary), some microfiber towels, and maybe some rubbing alcohol or even a mild adhesive remover.
First, take away the two screws holding the light housing in place. Become careful not in order to drop them down the bed gap! Once the screws are out, softly pull the light away from the cab. There can be a cabling harness attached; you are able to usually leave it plugged in in case there's enough slack, or just pop the particular clip to give yourself more area to work.
The most essential part of this whole process will be the cleanup. You'll likely find a number of gunk, grime, and old foam stuck towards the truck's body. In case you just slap the brand new gasket over that clutter, it's likely to leak again. Use your rubbing alcohol and a towel to get that surface perfectly clean and smooth.
Preparing the new gasket
Once the particular area is clean, it's time to use the new 2020 ram 1500 3rd brake light gasket . If you bought the peel-and-stick version, attempt to center it perfectly on the light housing very first. Make certain there are usually no wrinkles or bubbles. When the gasket is a "float" style (meaning it's not adhesive on one side), just series it up cautiously while you push the particular light back directly into place.
Reinstalling the light
When you're placing the screws back again in, here is usually the golden principle: perform not over-tighten them . It's luring to crank them down thinking the tighter fit means a better close off, but that's in fact how most people break the plastic casing. If you split the plastic, no gasket in the particular world is going to help you save. Tighten up them until they are snug, after that give them probably a quarter-turn even more. You want the particular gasket to compress, not the plastic material to snap.
To silicone or not to silicon?
You'll notice a lot of guys on the forums suggesting that you should simply run a bead of clear RTV silicone around the light plus call it up a time. While that definitely creates a close off, it's a little bit of a "nuclear option. "
The issue with silicone will be that it's a nightmare to remove in case you ever need to change a bulb or when you eventually have to replace the entire light assembly. This can also look pretty messy in case you aren't careful with all the application. If a person use a top quality aftermarket gasket, you shouldn't need any extra sealants. A good gasket is designed to do the work on its very own.
Testing your handiwork
As soon as everything is buttoned up, don't just leave and wish for the best. Grab a hose and give the back from the cab a great soak. Don't make use of a pressure washer—that's overkill and can pressure water past actually a good seal—just a steady flow of water like a heavy rainstorm.
Check out inside the cab. Feel the headliner and look at the particular back window. In the event that everything stays dried out, you're good to go. In the event that you still get a drip, you may need to check in case the light housing itself is bended or if there's a secondary outflow coming from the shark-fin antenna or maybe the rear windows seal.
Final thoughts on maintenance
The 2020 ram 1500 3rd brake light gasket isn't precisely the most thrilling part of your own truck, but maintaining an eye on it may save you thousands in internal damage. Water is definitely a truck's most severe enemy, especially whenever it gets directly into the electronics or starts growing mildew in the carpeting.
Next time you're washing your Ram, take ten seconds to appear at that 3rd brake light. When the edges from the gasket look crumbly or if the particular light seems shed, spend the 20 bucks and the twenty minutes in order to swap it away. Your headliner (and your nose) can definitely thank you later. It's one particular of those small DIY wins that makes owning a vehicle much more satisfying.