Special Coverage Adjustment – Fractured Leaf Springs – 2008-2009 Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra

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#14520B: Special Coverage Adjustment – Fractured Leaf Springs (Canada Only) – (May 17, 2016)

This bulletin is being revised to update the part information section. Please discard all copies of bulletin 14520A.

For pre-2010 vehicles, this special coverage adjustment is intended as a reimbursement program for customers who may have incurred a repair expense outside the terms of the new vehicle limited warranty. Customers who required rear-leaf spring replacement due to a leaf-spring fracture during the 5 year / 100,000mile (160,000 km) warranty extension are eligible for reimbursement under this program.

As courtesy, a service procedure is included in this bulletin to assist you in identifying a fractured leaf spring. Any repairs made beyond the 5 year / 160,000 km special coverage are to be completed at customer pay.

Condition

Some 2008-2009 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty vehicles registered in Canada or 2007, and 2010-2013 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty vehicles registered in or previously registered in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont or in the Canadian provinces New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, and Quebec may develop a fractured middle-leaf spring in the three-leaf rear-suspension spring assembly, forward or rearward of the joint to the rear axle. This condition may result in noise, ride-height difference, contact with a rear tire, and/or damage to other components under the vehicle. Vehicles with this condition will have reduced load-carrying capacity.

Special Coverage Adjustment

This special coverage adjustment covers the condition described above for a period of 5 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

For 2008-2009 vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after April 28, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to April 28, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

For 2007, 2010-2013 vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after March 8, 2016, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to March 8, 2016, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

Vehicles Involved

All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Applicable Warranties section in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.

Parts Information

Parts required to complete this special coverage are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (GMCC&A). Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) to determine which part to order. Refer to the parts table below.

Note: The current part number will be shown in the EPC when looking the vehicle up by the VIN. Use the table below to cross reference the current part number to the new part number.

Current Part Number	New Part Number	Description	Quantity/ Vehicle
22787764	23401108	SPRING, RR LEAF	2
22787765	23418311	SPRING, RR LEAF	2
22787766
23469809	23469809	SHIM KIT*	2 (If Req’d)
11569811	11569811	BOLT U, RR SPR	4
11516382	11516382	NUT, RR SPR U BOLT (Package of 5)	8

*The following models require the shim kit for installation. If the model is NOT specified below, a shim kit is NOT required for this repair.

C, 105, 43 (2wd Crew Cab) WITHOUT any of the following RPOs: HP2, NHT or XFE

C, 107, 53 (2wd Extended Cab) WITHOUT any of the following RPOs: HP2 or NHT

C, 109, 53 (2wd Extended Cab)

C, 105, 43 (2wd Crew Cab) with RPO HP2

Service Procedure

1. Verify that the leaf spring assembly requires replacement. Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking in SI. Perform a visual inspection of leaf springs for a fracture. Inspect for a fractured middle leaf spring in the three leaf rear suspension spring assembly, forward or rearward of the joint to the rear axle.
   • If the leaf spring assemblies (driver and passenger side) do NOT require replacement, no further action is required. Inform the customer that any additional diagnosis and repairs are not covered under this special coverage.
   • If the leaf spring assembly (driver or passenger side) requires replacement, inform the customer that all repairs made after 5 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service are at customer pay.
2. Remove the leaf springs from both sides of the vehicle. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement in SI.
3. On certain models, a shim kit must be utilized to ensure proper spring orientation. Using the VIN, refer to the EPC to determine if a shim kit is required.
   • If the vehicle requires a shim, continue to STEP 4.
   • If the vehicle does not require a shim, continue to STEP 7.
4. Remove the center bolt and nut from the new leaf springs.

Caution: Incorrect orientation of the shim will cause an improper driveline angle of the rear axle.

5. Install shim in the direction OPPOSITE of its marking; specifically, install the thinner end of the shim with the word “FRONT” stamped on it toward the rear of the vehicle between the leaf spring (1) and the spacer (2) on both sides of the vehicle.
6. Install the new center bolt and nut that was included in the shim kit into the new leaf springs and tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
7. Install the new leaf springs on both sides of the vehicle. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement in SI.

Customer Reimbursement

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition described in this bulletin are to be submitted to the dealer prior to or by March 31, 2017. Repairs must have occurred within the 5 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers), whichever occurs first.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

— Proof of ownership at time of repair.

— Original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s) (including Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM representative prior to processing the request.

Courtesy Transportation

The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranties. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.

Warranty Transaction Information

Submit a transaction using the appropriate table below. All transactions should be submitted as a ZREG transaction type, unless noted otherwise.

Note: For reimbursements on vehicles covered under warranty, refer to the Policies and Procedures Manual.

*The amount identified in “Net Item” should represent the dollar amount reimbursed to the customer.

Customer Notification

General Motors will notify customers of this special coverage on their vehicles (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin – actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

March 2016

Dear General Motors Customer:

This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: .

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra light duty vehicles (as defined above), may have a condition where a fractured middle-leaf spring develops in the three-leaf rear-suspension spring assembly, forward or rearward of the joint to the rear axle. This condition may result in noise, ride-height difference, contact with a rear tire, and/or damage to other components under the vehicle.  Vehicles with this condition will have reduced load-carrying capacity.

Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the condition described above. If this condition occurs on your 2007-2013 model year Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra within 5 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under this special coverage program.

Your vehicle may be outside of the extended-warranty period. But even if your extended warranty has expired, you may be eligible for reimbursement if you paid for repairs for this condition during the extended-warranty period. Please complete the enclosed reimbursement form and present it to your dealer with all required documents.

What You Should Do: If you believe that your vehicle has the condition described above, repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to contact your GM dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.

Reimbursement: If you have paid for repairs for the condition described in this letter, please complete the enclosed reimbursement form and present it to your dealer with all required documents. Working with your dealer will expedite your request, however, if this is not convenient, you may mail the completed reimbursement form and all required documents to Reimbursement Department, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170. The completed form and required documents must be presented to your dealer or received by the Reimbursement Department by March 31, 2017, unless state law specifies a longer reimbursement period.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below.

We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Terry M. Inch

Executive Director

Global Connected Customer Experience

Enclosure

14520A

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