File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

05 - Brakes
10-05-23-001C
November, 2012

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Brake Induced Pulsation/Vibration Felt in Steering Wheel, Rumble Noise from
Underbody During Downhill Descent (Verify Condition and Replace Front Brake Pads)

Models:

2008 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty (LD)
2008 GMC Sierra Light Duty (LD)
2nd-Design Only – w/ Pad Spreading Spring Clips (Refer to PIT4611 for Design
Identification)
Equipped with Disc/Drum Brakes (RPO JF3) and Stabilitrak (RPO JL4)
2009-2013 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty (LD)
2009-2013 GMC Sierra Light Duty (LD)
Equipped with Disc/Drum Brakes (RPO JF3 or JF7) and Stabilitrak (RPO JL4)

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2013 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Number 10-05-23-001B (Section 05 – Brakes).

Condition

Cause

Some customers may comment on a pulsation or
vibration mostly concentrated in the steering wheel
during downhill descent as specifically described. This
condition will most often begin as an increasing
rumbling noise coming from the underbody or the front
of the vehicle. This condition is exhibited mostly in
mountainous regions.
Note: Use care to ensure the following diagnosis and
repair are only attempted if the conditions and concern
match those listed, and if the concern can be duplicated
under the same conditions.

This condition may be caused by interaction between
the front brake lining material and the front brake rotors.

This condition occurs ONLY under the following
conditions:
• When the vehicle is driven as follows:
• On a downhill descent on a fairly steep grade
(approximately 5% or greater).
• On taller hills (roughly 1.5 km [1 mi] road length
or greater), without sharp turns.
• At speeds above 64 km/h (40 mph).
• Using the brakes just enough to maintain the
speed limit when moving downhill.
• Typically, a rumbling noise will be heard first,
building in intensity, followed by increasing
pulsation, or vibration, felt in the steering wheel,
then typically felt in the floor panel.
• The condition will be eliminated once the vehicle
is driven on relatively flat ground, typically for
1.5-3 km (1-2 mi).

Copyright 2012 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Correction
Important: DO NOT attempt any repairs on the vehicle
until you verify the specific condition is present by
following the steps below:
1. Warm up the vehicle by driving approximately 8 km
(5 mi).
2. Drive the vehicle in the lane closest to the side of
the fairly steep grade (roughly 5 percent or
greater), taller hill (roughly 1.5 km [1 mi] road
length or greater), without sharp turns, and with a
speed limit of 64 km/h (40 mph) or greater, with the
side windows down.
3. While in Drive, descending downhill, apply the
brakes naturally, only as needed, to maintain the
speed limit.
4. Observe for noise, followed by pulsation/vibration.
Observe where the noise, pulsation and/or
vibration are most noticeable.
5. Drive the vehicle on relatively flat ground for
1.5-3 km (1-2 mi) to verify that the condition goes
away completely.

Page 2

November, 2012

Bulletin No.: 10-05-23-001C

Note: If the Front Pad Kit listed is used to correct any
condition other than the condition described in this
bulletin, the vehicle could experience higher mileage
corrosion-induced brake pulsation.
If the condition described HAS NOT been verified, or if
the condition observed IS NOT most noticeable through
the steering wheel, the observed condition may have a
different cause, such as a tire/wheel or rear brake
issue, etc. Refer to SI for any further related
diagnostics.
If the condition described has been verified, and if the
condition is most noticeable through the steering wheel,
and if the condition was eliminated after driving the
vehicle on relatively flat ground, typically for 1.5-3 km
(1-2 mi), perform the following inspections and repairs.
Important:
• It is critical to use the proper OEM brake
rotors. Use of Non-OEM rotors may prevent
the condition from being corrected long term.
• If Non-OEM rotors are identified, these rotors
are NOT covered under the GM New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
1. Inspect the front brake rotors to ensure that they
are OEM rotors.
• Remove the brake rotor from the vehicle.

2405977

• Inspect the back side of the rotor for the Bosch
Logo. If the Bosch logo IS NOT present, replace
with OEM GM rotors, P/N 25819670.
2. Inspect the front brake rotors for Assembled
Lateral Runout (LRO) and thickness variation.
Follow SI procedures.
3. Inspect the front brake rotors for minimum
thickness. Follow SI procedures.
4. If the rotors are within specifications, DO NOT
refinish or replace the rotors.
5. If the rotors are out of specifications, refinish the
rotors on a qualified lathe, or replace the rotors as
appropriate. Follow SI procedures.
Note: To prevent a noise concern, follow the brake pad
insulator preparation and seating instructions as
referenced in Front Brake Pad Replacement (1500)
in SI.
6. Install the specified front pad kit, GM
P/N 25910432. Follow SI procedures.
7. Ensure that the condition has been eliminated
under the same conditions.

2405974

Bulletin No.: 10-05-23-001C

Parts Information

November, 2012

Page 3

Warranty Information

Part Number

Description

25910432

Pad Kit-Frt Disc Brk

25819670

Rotor-Frt Brk

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Note: H9745 includes time for road testing and for
removal of 1 rotor to inspect for OEM markings.
Labor
Operation
H9745*

Labor
Time

Description
Pads, Disc Brake-Front – R&R
Or Replace & Diagnose

1.2 hrs

Add

To Refinish Rotor - One

0.3 hr

Add

To Refinish Rotor - Both

0.6 hr

Add

To Replace Rotor - One

0.1 hr

Add

To Replace Rotor - Both

0.3 hr

*This is a unique labor operation for bulletin use only. It will
not be published in the Labor Time Guide.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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