Rear Quarter Window Seal Replacement

Rear fixed quarter windows leak into the cargo area as the urethane bedding fails. Re-bedding the glass with windshield urethane stops leaks. Common XJ rust trigger.

The XJ has two fixed quarter windows in the rear (small windows behind the rear doors). They're bedded into the body opening with urethane and a thin gasket. After 20+ years, the urethane shrinks and pulls away, water seeps in, and runs down the inside of the C-pillar into the rear cargo area floor.

Symptoms: water on cargo carpet after rain, rust streaks below the window outside, wet rear seat belt webbing.

Repair:

1. Mask around the glass with painter's tape (protect paint from cleaner and urethane).
2. Cut existing urethane with a windshield cut-out tool (cold knife) or fishing line worked from inside to outside around the perimeter. Two people make this more manageable.
3. Lift the glass out. Inspect the pinch weld for rust — common to find some. Treat with phosphoric acid.
4. Scrape off old urethane down to a thin (1mm) layer. Don't go to bare paint — adhesion is better to old urethane base.
5. Apply primer (urethane primer like 3M 08682) to any bare metal exposed.
6. Apply fresh windshield urethane (Sika 250 or 3M 08609) in a continuous 8mm bead.
7. Set glass — push down evenly, use a wood block to seat.
8. Hold with masking tape for 24 hours while it cures.

Alternative cheap fix: butyl tape ribbon between glass and body. Works short-term but not as durable as proper urethane.

While you're in there: replace the rear hatch glass seal too if it's cracked.

Why it works

• stops cargo floor rust
• preserves quarter glass
• DIY-able

Trade-offs

• risk of breaking the glass on removal
• messy job

Tools required

• cold knife or fishing line
• caulking gun
• scraper
• primer applicator

Parts

Part	Vendor	Est. price
Sika Sikaflex 252 windshield urethane	Sika	~$25
3M 08609 windshield urethane	3M	~$28
3M 08682 urethane primer	3M	~$18

Sources

• Cherokee Forum - Rear Window Leak Fix

Related

• All Jeep Cherokee XJ guides & tools
• Browse the full DIY database

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Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.

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