Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

Service Bulletin

Date: May, 2024

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Brand:

Squeak and/or Clunking Noise from Rear of Vehicle

Model:

Model Year:
from

to

Silverado 1500
(New Model - 12th
VIN Digit = 7) 4WD

2019

2019

Silverado 1500

2020

2021

Silverado 1500 2WD New (RPO
J22, VIN Digit 5 =
A/D)

2022

2022

Silverado 1500

2023

2024

Sierra 1500 (New
Model)

2019

2019

Sierra 1500

2020

2021

2022

2022

2023

2024

Date Breakpoint:
from

Engine:

Transmission:

All

All

to

Silverado 1500
(New Model)

Chevrolet

GMC

Silverado 1500 LTD (RPO J21, VIN
Digit 5 = W/Y)

Sierra 1500 - Limited (RPO J21, VIN
Digit 5 = 8/9)
Sierra 1500 - 2WD
New (RPO J22, VIN
Digit 5 = H/U)
Sierra 1500

Involved Region or Country

North America, Middle East, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Thailand, Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, S. Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Australia/NZ, Africa

Condition 1

Some customers may comment on a squeak type noise heard from the rear of the vehicle.
Upon further investigation, the technician may diagnose the noise is coming from the rear
suspension leaf spring area.

Condition 2

Some customers may comment on a clunking type of noise heard from the rear of the
vehicle.
Upon further investigation, the technician may diagnose the noise is coming from the rear
suspension leaf spring area.

Cause

This condition may be caused by debris getting between the leaf springs and/or loose UBolts.

Copyright 2024 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

May, 2024

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

Correction 1

Note: 2020 vehicles built at Silao after March 17, 2020, or built at Fort Wayne after
June 11, 2020 are possible candidates for torque relaxation at the U-bolt to axle and the
1610 km (1000 miles) break-in period, but should NOT have new inserts installed. The
service inserts are the same as the production inserts.
For earlier built vehicles, install new rear leaf spring inserts, following the Service Procedure below.
Note: Similar repair can be performed on vehicles equipped with the ZRX suspension.

Correction 2

Note: Vehicles built after the 2020 breakpoints noted above, may still have torque relaxation at the U-bolt to axle and should have the re-torque performed.
Re-torque the U-bolts of the leaf spring assembly, following the Service Procedure below.

Important: Service agents must comply with all
International, Federal, State, Provincial, and/or
Local laws applicable to the activities it performs
under this bulletin, including but not limited to
handling, deploying, preparing, classifying,
packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping
dangerous goods. In the event of a conflict
between the procedures set forth in this bulletin
and the laws that apply to your dealership, you
must follow those applicable laws.

Service Procedure (Condition 1)
Prior to performing this bulletin, follow the procedure for
Noise Diagnosis - Rear Suspension in SI to determine
the source of the noise. Jounce the rear of the vehicle
utilizing J 39570 Chassis Ear or equivalent, to aid in
locating the source of the noise.
5341853

If necessary, road test the vehicle.
1. Raise the vehicle on a frame lift-type hoist. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle, in SI.
2. Inspect the rear leaf springs and shackles for
damage.
• If damage has been found, refer to Rear Spring
Shackle Replacement or Leaf Spring
Replacement (1500), in SI.
• If damage has NOT been found, proceed to the
next step.

3. Install new Rear Leaf Spring Inserts using the
following procedure:
3.1.

Clean the springs using high-pressure water
or a steam cleaner to remove any lubricant
or contamination from between the leaf
elements, paying special attention to the tip
contact areas.

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

May, 2024

Page 3
3.2.

On the spring assembly, insert a plastic trim
tool or plastic wedge in between the #1 and
#2 leaf springs, to access the old insert.

5341854

5341855

3.3.

Push up on insert until it hits the bottom of the spring above it. Then use a suitable cutting tool to cut the
stem off from the insert.

Page 4

May, 2024

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

5341856

3.4.

Remove the top portion of the insert, and
then remove the bottom portion of the
remaining stem.

5341859

3.6.

Cut the stem of the new insert with a
hacksaw or suitable cutting tool. Make sure
to leave 6 mm (0.240 in) of the stem.

5341857

3.5.

Using a rag and degreaser, clean any dirt or
grease from between the leaf springs at the
insert location.

5341861

3.7.

Apply a small amount of RTV sealer around
the remaining portion of the stem.

3.8.

Install the new insert into the leaf spring.
Make sure the stem portion lines up with the
slot in the spring. Remove the plastic trim
tool or plastic wedge to close the spring and
seat the new insert.

4. Repeat step #3 for the 3 remaining inserts.
Important: After a new vehicle is delivered to a
customer, or new spring tip inserts are installed per this
bulletin, new inserts have a break-in period of up to
1610 km (1000 miles), where some noise can be
expected.The gray spring inserts are designed to

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

May, 2024

work with absolutely no lubricant. Lubricants of
any kind must never be used on the gray spring tip
inserts and any remaining lubricant must be
completely removed when installing new tip
inserts.
5. Lower the vehicle to the ground and test drive to
verify the repair.
Note: If the vehicle returns with noise after this
procedure, and there is no loss of torque at the U-Bolts,
thoroughly clean the spring contact points with high
pressure water or a steam cleaner to remove contaminants from between the spring elements. Contaminants, grease, undercoating or any substance in the
leaf interface will cause noise when the spring
elements move over each other.
Important: If the Spring Tip Inserts have been replaced
and 1000 miles (1610 km) has not elapsed, proceed to
Service Procedure (Condition 2).

2. Loosen the anchor plate U-bolts (1).
3. Re-torque the anchor plate U-bolts (1). Refer to
Fastener Specifications in SI.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the opposite side leaf
spring.
5. Re-test the vehicle for the same clunking noise. If
the issue remains, follow the regular repair
procedure.

Parts Information
Causal
Part

Description

Part Number

INSERT-RR SPR
LEAF

84855893

RTV Sealer

88864346 (In
Canada,
88861418)

N/A

Service Procedure (Condition 2)
1. Support the vehicle at curb height to relieve the
tension on the leaf springs, when re-torquing the
leaf spring U-bolt nuts.

Page 5

Qty
4 (Base)
12 (ZRX)
1

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper
coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the
following labor operation. Reference the Applicable
Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH)
for coverage information.

5357922

Labor Operation

Description

Labor Time

8080598*

Replacement of 4 Rear Leaf Spring Inserts for Base (Condition
1)

0.5 hr

Add

Replacement of 12 Rear Leaf Spring Inserts for ZRX (Condition
1)

0.3 hr

8080608*

Re-torque U-Bolts / Road Test (Condition 2)

0.6 hr

*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.

Page 6

May, 2024

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

Version

8

Modified

Released August 06, 2019
Revised March 02, 2020 – Added 2019 Silverado 1500 (New Model - 12th VIN Digit = 7) 4WD model and 2020 Model Year, Added Breakpoint and Updated Insert Part Number.
Revised February 08, 2021 – Updated Breakpoints, Separated Repair Procedures to
Address Condition #1 and Condition #2, Updated Warranty Information.
Revised May 05, 2021 – Added 2021 Model Year, Information to Clarify the Breakpoint
Strategy and to Emphasize that the Inserts (GM P/N 84855893) Have a Break-in Period
of Approximately 1610 km (1000 miles).
Revised August 30, 2021 – Removed 2021 Model Year and all 2021 Model Year references.
Revised July 28, 2023 - Added 2021–2024 Model Year.
Revised August 17, 2023 - Added Note to Correction 1 section, Added Additional Inserts
for ZRX in Parts Information section, and Added Labor Operation Time for Inserts.
Revised May 14, 2024 - Added Additional Countries to Involved Region or Country section.

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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