TimelessR1

Well, i started reading a thread recently about another forum memeber having issues with their third brake light leak ( which i had also when i first bought my truck) but it reminded me that My SAT antenna was leaking at times too! you might notice water dripping from the grab handle, this is where its coming from!

I ended up using Silicone II in black for my truck, since its black.

I started with removing the pasenger grabl handle which is held on by two 7mm bolts.

Second i took the sun visor off which is held on by two philips screws.

Third i peeled off the top portion of the weather stripping to allow the head liner to come down slightly. This will give you access to the 10mm bolt holding the antenna.



You'll notice that there is a small hole in the surround...this was Ford's attempt to allow water to drain out from under the antenna...it was a great thoguht..jsut poor execution...the hole is on the wrong side!! If you park your truck flat..the hole is on the downslop of the rook, which allows water to enter it..not the other way around! You'll notice a very thin gasket...its this gasket that now lets the water that is under the antenna to seap past..and into your truck! Anyone notice a pattern here with Fords gaskets ( 3rd brake light issue--)

so i ended up cleaning under that antenna using rubbing coumpound, then polishing compund, and then collinite wax to protect it....




After it was cleaned i put the silicone on the antenna..




And then reinstalled everything in reverse order!!... No more leaking...




If you have an 09-10...i'd do this fix even if not leaking b/c its jsut a mater of time before it will leak..

on 2011+ models i heard they fixed where that drain hole was..but i cant confirm that since i never looked.

TheTallest

Nice. Subscribed for future reference if my'13 ever starts to leak.

TimelessR1

Here is a better picture of the little "water drain" that Ford put on the antenna. On my year truck it faces towards the rear....which allows water to enter when parked flat. They should have designed that drain on the front facing side!

you can also see all the dirt and crud that washes under the antenna in this pic too

Ford850

Yeah I know, it was designed here. But I can't help but think this is part of the problem.

wantsa58

I just put a thin smooth bead of black rtv silicon along the outside edge of the satalite cover because my cover would not come off. Fixed the problem for me and is unnoticable because i have a black truck. Your solution is much better though.

trailblazen

I think I will go with a thin layer of clear silicon as wantsa described since I own a white and not a black. Thanks for the fix!

TimelessR1

yeah..i just used black since my trucks black....but clear is just as good. Doing this will def save you headaches from stained headliners, and water damage....and its such an easy fix!

terraformer

I did this the first week of ownership - on both the 3rd brake light and the Sirius antenna.

I used 3M strip caulk around the edges of both. It's a black sticky material that can mold like clay. Works like a charm, malleable and watertight. And since the material doesn't dry, you can remove both items if you ever need to.

Goomph

My new to me truck was leaking from the satellite antenna I took it to my dealer and they fixed it for me, I did not want to mess with the headliner as I can get a bit clumsy sometimes when I need to be perfect. 90 dollars and it is not leaking anymore. I wish I had the courage to attempt this.

Truck owner

thanks for the heads up. I got a 13. it hasn't leaked but just in case I ran a thin bead of clear silicone 3/4 round leaving the bottom third open to drain thru the hole. I'm glad someone else mentioned the other lights, seems all these brake lights stay wet inside. Must be cheap rubber seals to allow water in so early into a 13 model year. Its always in the details that you find out what you bought..By the way my seep hole was in the front toward the front glass on the slope not back toward the sunroof.. Could yours have been installed incorrectly.