GM Bulletin No.: 12256
Date: October 2012

Service Bulletin

SERVICE UPDATE
SUBJECT:

Service Update for Inventory and Customer Vehicles
Rear Suspension Toe Link Jam Nut Low Torque
Expires with Base Warranty

MODELS:

2013 Cadillac CTS

This service update includes vehicles in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that
return to the dealership for any reason. This bulletin will expire at the end of the involved
vehicle's New Vehicle Limited Warranty period.
PURPOSE
This bulletin provides a service procedure to inspect the torque on the rear toe link jam nuts on
certain 2013 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles. The nuts on these vehicles may not be to the
specified torque and could produce a metallic clanking noise when the vehicle is driven over
road bumps. If the customer ignores the noise and continues to drive the vehicle, over time, the
nut may loosen.
This service procedure should be completed on involved vehicles currently in dealer
inventory before sale and referenced when customer vehicles return to the dealer for any
type of service during the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage period.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by VIN in the Global Warranty Management System –
Investigate Vehicle History Application. Dealership technicians 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.
Additionally, a list of involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory is available on the “Service
Update Bulletin Information” link under the “Service” tab in GM GlobalConnect (US) or attached
to the GlobalConnect message (Canada) used to release this bulletin. Customer vehicles that
return for service, for any reason, and are still covered under the vehicle's base warranty should
also be checked for vehicle eligibility.

Copyright 2012 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

October 2012

Bulletin No.: 12256

PART INFORMATION
No parts are required for this service update.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.

Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.

2577387

The Toe Link Assembly Includes a (1) Rear Suspension Adjustment Link,
(2) Outside Jam Nut, (3) Inside Jam Nut and Inside and Outside Toe Link Rods.

2.

Locate the rear suspension adjustment links (1).

Page 3

October 2012

Bulletin No.: 12256

2577408

(1) Paper does NOT fit between jam nut and rear suspension adjustment link.
(2) Paper fits between jam nut and rear suspension adjustment link.

3.

Inspect the toe link assembly for loosened jam nuts. In addition, inspect for looseness in
the toe link assembly by grasping the adjuster link using a pull up and pull down method.
Perform these procedures on both the rear driver’s and passenger’s side toe link assembly.
 If a piece of paper fits between either of the two jam nuts and rear suspension
adjustment link (2), proceed to Step 4 and refer to Rear Toe Adjustment in SI.
 If the toe link assembly has any kind of looseness, proceed to Step 4 and refer to Rear
Toe Adjustment in SI.
 If a piece of paper does not fit between either of the two jam nuts and rear suspension
adjustment link (1), proceed to Step 5.

4. Perform an alignment. Inspect and adjust the rear toe. Refer to Rear Toe Adjustment in SI.

Page 4

October 2012

Bulletin No.: 12256

2577413

(1) Direction of tightening force (rearward) on the Driver’s Side Rear Suspension Adjustment Link Jam
Nuts (2) Direction of tightening force (forward) on the Passenger’s Side Rear Suspension Adjustment
Link Jam Nuts

Caution: To obtain an accurate torque reading, a torque wrench, 21mm (13/16 in) crow's
foot wrench, and a 21mm (13/16 in) open end wrench are required. Hold the rear
suspension adjustment link with a 21 mm (13/16 in) open end wrench while tightening the
jam nuts.
 Apply a rearward (rear of vehicle) tightening force to the torque wrench to properly
tighten the jam nuts on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
 Apply a forward (front of vehicle) tightening force to the torque wrench to properly
tighten the jam nuts on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
Note: Use 90 N·m (66 lb-ft) to tighten the jam nuts. Do NOT use the torque specification
provided in Rear Toe Adjustment in SI for repaired toe link assemblies. This applies to vehicles
in this field action only. Tighten all four (4) jam nuts to 90 N·m (66 lb-ft).
5.

Hold the rear suspension adjustment link with a 21 mm (13/16 in) open end wrench and
tighten the jam nuts to 90 N·m (66 lb-ft).

6.

Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.

WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Submit a transaction using the table below.
Labor
Code
V2688
V2689

Description
Inspect and Tighten Rear Toe Link Assembly Jam Nuts
Rear Toe Link Assembly Inspection and Adjustment

Labor
Time
0.4
1.1

Page 5

October 2012

Bulletin No.: 12256

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Whenever a vehicle subject to this service update enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your
facility for service in the future, and the vehicle is still covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the service update correction has been
made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

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 tools,
equipment, 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 dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

We Support
Voluntary Technician
Certification