Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

19-NA-240
March, 2021

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Steering Wheel Oscillation, Vibration, Shake at 80-129 km/h (50-80 mph)

Brand:

Model:

Chevrolet

Silverado 2500HD/
3500HD

GMC

Sierra 2500HD/
3500HD

Model Year:
from

to

2020

2021

VIN:
from

to

Engine:

Transmission:

Involved Region or Country

United States, Canada, Mexico, Middle East, Israel

Additional Options (RPOs)

NV8: STEERING-POWER, MAGNETIC SPEED, VARIABLE ASSIST

Condition

Some customers may comment on a steering dither (shake) or quick steering wheel
oscillation at speeds of 80-129 km/h (50-80 mph).

Cause

The cause of the condition may be possible high road force, out of balance tire and wheel
assemblies or a steering gear calibration that is not optimized.

Correction

Road test the vehicle with a PicoScope to determine the source of the vibration. If the
tires are the source of the vibration, follow the Service Procedure below. If the PicoScope
indicates there is another component causing the vibration, follow normal vibration
diagnostics.
The purpose of this bulletin is to outline the recommendations and procedures for
diagnosing and repairing steering dither.

Service Procedure
Important:
• The first step in determining the cause of the
vibration is a test drive with the appropriate
diagnostic equipment installed on the vehicle. If
the correct tools and procedures are not followed,
an incorrect diagnosis will result.
• Before measuring tires on a GM approved tire
force variation measurement equipment, the
vehicle MUST be driven a minimum of 24 km (15
mi) to ensure removal of any flat-spotting. Refer to
the latest version of Corporate Bulletin Number
03-03-10-007: Tire/Wheel Characteristics of GM
Original Equipment Tires.
• If the wheels need to be removed, check for
anything that could have caused a wheel to rotor
mounting issue (i.e. pilot bore damage, rust or
contamination on the rotor or wheel mounting
surface, etc.).
• GM approved tire force variation measurement
equipment MUST be calibrated prior to measuring
tire/wheel assemblies for each vehicle.

Copyright 2021 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Note: If the equipment being used is capable of
performing a centering check, the centering check must
be completed before taking measurements of balance
or RFV.
1. Using a Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit, mount
the PicoScope vibration sensor to the driver seat
track.
Note: Only the use of the Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic
Kit with NVH should be utilized, available from GM
Dealer equipment (CH-51450). Previous vibrations
tools are NOT recommended due to the types and
frequencies producing these vibrations.
• Seat Vibration – mount the sensor to the front
right corner of the driver’s seat bracket (1).
Make sure the sensor is correctly oriented. A
tri-axial sensor should have the threaded hole
(X-axis) facing towards the front of the vehicle.
• Refer to Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit Description
and Operation in SI (Document ID #3687302)
and Vibration Analysis - Road Testing in SI
(Document ID #3686560).

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March, 2021

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-240

Perform a road test, 80-129 km/h (50-80 mph)
on a smooth road, and measure driver seat
track vibration:
⇒ Drive the vehicle, 80-129 km/h (50-80 mph), a
minimum of 10 minutes prior to measuring seat
track vibration to warm up the tires. Then follow
recommendations A or B below.
1.A.
T1 Y-axis less than 25 mg
• T1 Y-axis consistently under 25 mg and
steering wheel dither persists, move to
step 2.
1.B.
T1 Y-axis higher than 25 mg
• T1 Y-axis consistently over 25 mg, service all
wheel and tire assemblies per the latest
version of Corporate Bulletin Number
10-03-10-001.
• When mounting the wheels to the balancer, it
is critical to make sure the assembly is held
tightly centered during the measurement.
Below are adapters that have been verified to
maintain this relationship (Single rear
wheel only).
• Balance and road force correct the
assemblies. It is recommended to get the
road force values to the specs below:
Less than 30 lbs on the front tires
Less than 45 lbs on the rear tires
5422805

• Move to step 2 below.

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-240

March, 2021

Page 3

Power Steering Module Programming
for 2020 Models Only
Important: This procedure only applies to 2020 model
year vehicles.
Caution: Before downloading the update files, be sure
the computer is connected to the internet through a
network cable (hardwired). DO NOT DOWNLOAD or
install the files wirelessly. If there is an interruption
during programming, programming failure or control
module damage may occur.
Note: Carefully read and follow the instructions below.
•

5422806

2. If T1 Y-axis is less than 25 mg and steering wheel
dither persists, load steering gear update
calibration.
3. Clear out K43 data: using GDS 2, perform a
“Learned Values Reset.”
4. Perform a road test, 80-129 km/h (50-80 mph) on a
smooth road, to confirm steering wheel dither has
been reduced.

Ensure the programming tool is equipped with the
latest software and is securely connected to the
data link connector. If there is an interruption
during programming, programming failure or
control module damage may occur.
• Stable battery voltage is critical during
programming. Any fluctuation, spiking, over
voltage or loss of voltage will interrupt
programming. Install a GM Authorized
Programming Support Tool to maintain system
voltage. Refer to www.gmdesolutions.com for
further information. If not available, connect a fully
charged 12 V jumper or booster pack
disconnected from the AC voltage supply. DO
NOT connect a battery charger.
• Turn OFF or disable systems that may put a load
on the vehicles battery such as; interior lights,
exterior lights (including daytime running lights),
HVAC, radio, etc.
• Please verify that the radio time and date are set
correctly before inserting USB drive into vehicle
for programming, otherwise an error will result.
• Clear DTCs after programming is complete.
Clearing powertrain DTCs will set the Inspection/
Maintenance (I/M) system status indicators to NO.
Caution: Be sure the VIN selected in the drop down
menu is the same as the vehicle connected before
beginning programming.

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March, 2021

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-240

5644477

5431207

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-240

March, 2021

Page 5

Important: Techline Connect and TIS2WEB screens
shown above.
Important: If the same calibration/software warning is
noted on the TLC or SPS Summary screen, select OK
and follow screen instructions. After a successful
programming event, the WCC is located in the Service
Programming System dialogue box of the SPS
Summary screen. No further action is required. Refer to
the Warranty section of the bulletin.
Important: When programming a module in GM’s new
Vehicle Intelligence Platform, or VIP, the power mode
(ignition) needs to be off or errors may occur. This
involves the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CT5 and
CT4, as well as the upcoming full-size Chevrolet, GMC,
Cadillac SUVs and Buick Envision. Serial Data
Message Authentication also needs to have the
ignition off.
1. Reprogram the Power Steering Control Module.
Refer to K43 Power Steering Control Module:
Programming and Setup in SI. Modify as required

5644478

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March, 2021

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-240

5431209

Note: The screenshots above are an example of
module reprogramming, and may not be indicative of
the specific module you’re reprogramming.
Important: To avoid warranty transaction rejections,
you MUST record the warranty claim code provided on
the SPS Warranty Claim Code (WCC) screen shown
above on the job card. Refer to callout 1 above for the
location of the WCC on the SPS screen
2. Record SPS Warranty Claim Code on job card for
warranty transaction submission.

Labor
Operation

Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Time

3087098*

Perform Pico Scope
Vibration Measurement and
Road Test

0.5 hr

2810625**

Power Steering Control
Module Reprogramming
with SPS

Use
Published
Labor
Operation
Time

Labor Time

Tire and Wheel Balancing
– One

Use
Published
Labor
Operation
Time

Tire and Wheel Balancing
– Two

Use
Published
Labor
Operation
Time

Tire and Wheel Balancing
– Four

Use
Published
Labor
Operation
Time

8060212

8060213

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Powertrain coverage,
use the following unique labor operation. Reference the
Applicable Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle
History (IVH) for coverage information.

Description

8060272

*This is a unique Labor Operation for bulletin use only.
Important: **To avoid warranty transaction rejections,
carefully read and follow the instructions below:
• The SPS Warranty Claim Code must be accurately
entered in the “SPS Warranty Claim Code” field of the
transaction.
• When more than one Warranty Claim Code is
generated for a programming event, it is required to
document all Warranty Claim Codes in the “Correction”
field on the job card. Dealers must also enter one of the
codes in the “SPS Warranty Claim Code” field of the
transaction, otherwise the transaction will reject. It is
best practice to enter the FINAL code provided by
SPS/SPS2.

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-240

March, 2021

Page 7

Warranty Claim Code Information Retrieval
If the SPS Warranty Claim Code was not recorded on
the Job Card, the code can be retrieved in the SPS
system as follows:
1. Open TLC/TIS on the computer used to program
the vehicle.
2. Select and start SPS/SPS2.
3. Select Settings.
4. Select the Warranty Claim Code tab.
The VIN, Warranty Claim Code and Date/Time will be
listed on a roster of recent programming events. If the
code is retrievable, dealers should resubmit the
transaction making sure to include the code in the SPS
Warranty Claim Code field.

Version

2

Modified

Released October 21, 2019
Revised March 05, 2021 - Add 2021 to Model Year and Add to Only Reprogram Power
Steering Module for 2020 Model Vehicles.

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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