I noticed the other day my light is out and I know it is a "simple" change, but I have heard the nightmares of people having leaking issues with the 3rd brake light. Is there anything special I can do or precausions I can take to prevent leaking?

This is on a 2007 Lariat Screw

 

Yea its a simple change. If you havent noticed a leak before you should be good, i think ppl use a little bit of silicone.

 

or you can just cut out a new rubber gasket like i did.

 

So if I have not had leaking issues so far, there shoulc be nothing more to do then to just change the bulb?

 

I never had a leak issue on my 06. I swapped out my factory 3rd light for a LED Smoked and still no issues. This was swapped out last year so I have gone through a full set of seasons (if texas even has them) and still no issues.

 

if you want a little peace of mind do what i did when i replaced my 3rd brake light and use some 1/4" round butyl tape instead of the gasket. it makes it easier to remove if needed than silicone and it seals much better than the rubber gasket. its the same material used to seal the back window. i also use a small peice of it under the screw heads to eliminate one more area fro water to get in. ive done this for years on my rangers wich have issues with 3rd brake light leaks and it works great.

 

Cool I'll try that!!

 

Kozal01 has a good plan............

When you remove the light unit, you should be able to see any place on the old gasket that had a gap in it......

I would make sure the gasket and the body surface, the lamp, and the gasket are clean and dry...

If you noticed a place in the gasket that looked suspitious, maybe give it a little smear of silicone....

And re-assemble before the silicone had time to set.

 

Changed the bulb and put a bead od clear silicone around the entire unit where the rubber gasaket was......we will see how it goes

 

Great idea! I also had thought of using a bead of plummers putty, easily bought at Home Depot or Lowes, as this stuff is used by plummers every day for water tight seals. Plus it too is esily removable.