Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

Service Bulletin

Date: February, 2025

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

2025

Sierra 1500 (New
Model)

2019

2019

Sierra 1500

2020

2021

2022

2022

2023

2025

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

Important: Do not add any lubricant to the inserts or springs. Lubricant can attract dirt
and debris which can lead to noise and premature insert wear. Some lubricants can also
chemically attack the insert material.
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 2025 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

February, 2025

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.

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.
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.

5341853

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

February, 2025

Page 3

5341854

Caution: Do NOT damage the finish on Leaf Springs.
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.

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.

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February, 2025

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.

5341857

3.5.

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

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

February, 2025

Page 5

5341859

Caution: Do NOT damage the surface of the new insert when trimming.
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.

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 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.

Page 6

February, 2025

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

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).

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 Ubolt nuts.

5357922

2. Loosen the anchor plate U-bolts (1).
Caution: Ensure that the proper torque procedure for the U-Bolts is followed in SI. Excessive fastener torque will
extrude, and damage, the spring isolators making the condition worse.
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

87828827

RTV Sealer

88864346 (In
Canada,
88861418),
(In S.
America,
98552043)

N/A

Qty
4 (Base)
12 (ZRX)

1

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-129

February, 2025

Page 7

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.
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.

Version

12

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.
Revised May 28, 2024 - Removed Reference to ZRX in the Correction 1 section.
Revised July 08, 2024 - Added 2025 Model Year.
Revised September 09, 2024 - Updated Left Spring Insert and Added S. America Part
number.
Revised February 20, 2025 - Add Important Statement to Condition 1 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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