Rubber meets the road.

[EBramwell]

Has anyone else had anything like what I'm about to tell happen?

I have a 2003 1 ton dually 4x4 with little over 20,000 miles on it, and seems that a lot areas that have rubber are falling apart.

Example both wind shield wipers are split and torn, the light on the center of the tail gate has a rubber seal around it and has completely fallen apart in pieces, the other day I open the passenger side door and the seal on the bottom of the door falls on the ground (the one that keeps mud and water from coming up into the cab). I keep wondering what's next?

Other than that the truck is good to do, know problems.

 

[mbaston]

I have had no problems of that nature. Are you around any ag spraying or other chemicals?

 

[EBramwell]

No, just 3 1/2 miles one way down a dirt road every day. This time of the year the truck stays pretty dirty.

 

[KBennett]

I have an 04 that I got in August and have had no problems with the rubber. I live in Colorado where we have dry air, bright sunlight, and my truck sits outside. I use a mild dish soap to wash the truck by hand. It has never been through an auto wash.



I hope you have better luck.

 

[rbattelle]

That is weird! Maybe there was a bad batch of rubber? Or a manufacturing chemical that was never washed off? I'd take it in for warranty.

 

[DCaswell]

Really weird, we have identical trucks & I have 24k with no problems. Truck is only 4 mos old but so far happy as a pig in an excrement pile

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've had my truck since Oct 02 and all the rubber is still like new.

 

[Sarge]

If I were to guess, I would have to say that you probably have some pretty good winds blowing where you live and also low humidity to boot. Combine that with dirt and dust that is allowed to sit on the surface for extended periods, and you have the perfect combination to kill any rubber product. BTW, ever put any conditioner on that rubber when you wash it... ... ... Just my . 02. Sarge

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

KBennet mused:

wash the truck

Hmmm... . strange concept



futile effort, maybe next spring. Ah, well, make that summer. Oo.

 

[MMeier]

22. 2k on mine in 15 months and wipers still work like new and so does everything else, sits in searing desert heat and everything, too damn big for garage!!!

 

[JohnSS]

EBramwell



I have had similar issues with mine.



I have only had it since mid July and had to replace wipers in November. AND the rubber around my tailgate marker has broken apart also. It was in 3 pieces.



Although I see that there are a lot of others out there that don't seem to have any problems, it is curious that I have 2 of the 3 same problems as you.

 

[Blufrog]

I also have the problem with the gasket at the center tail light and have heard of a few others. Take it in and they will replace the whole assembly for you under warranty.

 

[nwcatman]

rubber in mexico isn't as good as U. S. rubber. they use melted down old "raincoats".