Gap under satellite antenna

[Fritzzz]

Hi guys, I have a 1500 sport 2018 and I just noticed a very small gap between the roof and the antenna.

I'm concerning about long-term rust and water leaking to inside the car through any cabling path.

I live in Vancouver so at this time of the year we have a LOT of rain....should I take it to the dealership?

 

[JB1]

I’m gonna run a bead of RTV clear silicone around mine today

 

[chrisbh17]

I removed mine a couple months ago to seal underneath it. Similar reasons as you.

The seal you see is not the only one there....there is a 1" square foam strip underneath the antenna that surrounds the hole for the wiring.

But just to be sure I pulled mine out (did not remove the wiring, but did have to drop the headliner), then ran a small bead of RTV a little distance away from the foam strip that was already there. Not hard to do, just time consuming since the headliner needed to be dropped.

 

[Fritzzz]

Hunnn...I see...I will take it to the dealership on thursday since its is warranty, maybe they can easily fix. I have no idea if I would be able to remove or loose the headliner. Did u find instructions anywhere?

I removed mine a couple months ago to seal underneath it. Similar reasons as you.

The seal you see is not the only one there....there is a 1" square foam strip underneath the antenna that surrounds the hole for the wiring.

But just to be sure I pulled mine out (did not remove the wiring, but did have to drop the headliner), then ran a small bead of RTV a little distance away from the foam strip that was already there. Not hard to do, just time consuming since the headliner needed to be dropped.

 

[chrisbh17]

Hunnn...I see...I will take it to the dealership on thursday since its is warranty, maybe they can easily fix. I have no idea if I would be able to remove or loose the headliner. Did u find instructions anywhere?

I watched a few YouTube videos. If you have a crew or quad cab you wont be able to pull the headliner all the way out (without removing the windshield) but that is not necessary anyway.

Its pretty self-explanatory once you get into it. You need to remove basically all of the trim pieces that are above the vertical halfway point (grab handles, pillar post covers [seat belts need to come off first], etc). The overhead console (if you have it), the visors, the clothing hooks in the back, the rear dome light and I think thats it.

Like I said, time consuming but not hard.

 

[grizzstang]

I’m gonna run a bead of RTV clear silicone around mine today

I did this to mine a few weeks ago. It seemed a whole lot easier than removing the headliner to take the dam thing completely off. Took me 10 minutes.

 

[chrisbh17]

I did this to mine a few weeks ago. It seemed a whole lot easier than removing the headliner to take the dam thing completely off. Took me 10 minutes.

Yeah its fine until the sealant starts collecting dirt. My truck is white so it would stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[grizzstang]

^^^My truck is white too and I put a very small bead around the bottom of a black antenna.

I can't see it being very noticeable but if it does get dirty maybe next time I will try black RTV.

 

[chrisbh17]

Be sure to leave that notch open, it looks like it is there to be an exit for any moisture that does get underneath the black gasket.