Removing A-Post and Grab Handle

[Ncostello]

Any tricks or tips on removing the passenger A-Post trim/Grab Handle on an 04/05? Gonna help a guy diagnose a water leak that comes through the holes in the grab handles where the screws attach it to the metal post. The truck is an 05 3500 SLT. I really doubt its coming past the door frame seals... I think its gotta be coming from along the windshield top or side. If it were coming from the door seal area... the water would have to do some amazing uphill climbs several times to get to inside the grab handle.



The screws obviously go through the A-Post. So I hope the water is not getting inside the A-Post metal tube itself and coming in through the screw holes. Easy fix with some silicon in the screw holes but makes me wonder how water would get inside the A-Post tube.



Looks like you just remove the two screws going throught the handle portion of the trim and perhaps pull straight out. Or am I missing anything. I know those things can sometimes be a bear with hidden clips and all. Thanks!

 

[SRadke]

Two bolts behind the plugs on either side of the handle (10mm socket) and it'll pull right out. The water is most likely coming through one or more of the cab lights, check to see if they are cracked or porly sealed. They had trouble with them in 03-04 also.



-Scott

 

[Patriot_RAM]

If you have them, check your clearance lights on the roof. Tons of people have been having problems with them leaking. The water runs across and down the a-pillar. Most people with problems have seen screw washers leaking, lenses cracked at the screw holes, or on the bottom. You might have to remove the cab lights to see the crack if it's the problem -- either way, I think it's the best place to start just because so many people have had the problem. I had to replace three cracked ones the first time in the shop and three more a couple weeks ago.



Hope this helps!

 

[thejeepdude]

The day I went to pick up my '05 it was raining. I noticed the same thing during the test drive... water through the screw hole covers, mostly the top one. I assumed it was a cab light or windshield, but indeed it was the door weatherstripping. The tech said he's seen this alot, and there's a place the factory really skimps on the sealant between the gasket and metal. I haven't inspected the repair myself, but it doesn't leak now and it's been raining cats and dogs out here lately.

 

[Ncostello]

My bad... its a 2500 not a 3500 SRW. And no clearance lights so that rules that out.



Got the cover off fairly easily. Sprayed and sprayed hose water on it (with help) and no leaks to be seen. I even put a dry blue paper towel into the holes and nothing.



Now... the V seal around the perimeter of the door opening (on the cab) is tight except right where the roof and the glass meet. Thus this area is suspect. In fact its way loose and the rest is very tight. You can tell from the inside. It wiggles and is totally not tight in the groove.



So I bet when the heater is off and not blowing air... . and when driving down the road... the pressure difference is enough to force water down in the the V and up the other side of the channel... which puts it right in the plastic handle trim. From there its a downhill straight shot to the screw holes and voila... LEAK.



So now we can either use the 3M black weather adhesive and put a little in the bottom of the V in that area... or have Dodge replace the whole seal. Most likely they won't replace the seal till after about 4 attempts to do something else somewhere else on the truck. They never take sound advice from owners. I'd bet money I've found it since we dumped tons of water... yet were not moving... and got no leak.