08-08-57-007D

File in Section:
Bulletin No.:
Service Bulletin
Date:
08 - Body and Accessories
08-08-57-007D
April, 2014
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Excessive Midgate Closing Effort and/or Water Leak, and/or Tonneau Cover, Cargo to
Midgate Water Leak
Models:
2006-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT
2006-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche
This bulletin has been revised to update the Subject, add the 2013 model year, and also add
the content of PI0906 and Bulletin Number 07-08-57-005B. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Numbers 08-08-57-007C, 07-08-57-005B, and also PI0906.
Condition 1
Correction 1
Some customers may comment on one of the following
concerns:
• Midgate is hard to close and/or difficult to latch.
• Water leak at the midgate area, by the C pillars.
• Wet carpet behind the 2nd row seats, or wet seat
belts.
To ensure proper and complete closure of the midgate,
the following steps are recommended:
Cause 1
Improper midgate closure may cause a customer
concern of excessive efforts to close the mid gate and/
or water intrusion in this area.
If the midgate is closed applying force to only the center
area or only one side of the midgate (left or right), it is
possible that the midgate won’t close completely;
generating a gap between the crossbar and midgate
glass in the C pillar area.
3283191
1. To close the midgate, first position yourself inside
the vehicle as shown in the graphic above. This will
allow you to adopt an ergonomic position.
Copyright 2014 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Page 2
April, 2014
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
Customer Information
For vehicles that do not require repairs, please
communicate to the customer this condition is a normal
operating characteristic of their vehicle. Please share
this information with the customer, including a copy of
this bulletin.
Condition 2
Some customers may comment on a water leak
between the first tonneau or cargo cover and the
midgate.
Cause 2
The striker for the front tonneau or cargo cover may
need to be moved forward to improve the cover seal
compression to the midgate.
Correction 2
3283192
2. While raising the midgate, place both hands
(shown circled above) on the right and left side of
the crossbar, so you maintain more support.
3807035
1. Inspect the water drain troughs or gutters to ensure
they have not become dislodged and to ensure
they are not plugged with debris. Adjust and clean
the drains if necessary.
3283194
3. Firmly swing the midgate upward with both hands
to generate the necessary force to latch the gate
on both sides. Firmly push the midgate to latch
closed.
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
April, 2014
Page 3
3807036
Note: The rear (1) and front (2) floor drains are shown
in the graphic above.
2. Inspect the front, center and rear cargo floor drains
on each side of the vehicle. Ensure the top side of
the drains are not restricted by leaves or debris.
3807039
4. Inspect the topside grilles of the side waterfall drain
systems. They must be clear of dirt and debris.
3807037
3. Inspect the underside of the front floor drains (1).
Ensure they are not blocked or restricted by the
wiring harness bundle (2).
Page 4
April, 2014
3807040
Tip: The body side rear drain duct is located
underneath the cargo box stowage lid and behind the
cargo box stowage box on each side of the vehicle.
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
3807044
6. Inspect the cargo box rear cover seal. Ensure the
seal is not warped or mis-shapen, and replace as
necessary.
7. Water test to determine where the leak is taking
place. Note that water in the drain troughs or
gutters on either side of the bed is normal, and is
part of the water management system.
8. Mark the tonneau or cargo cover seal in the
suspected leak area.
9. Remove the tonneau or cargo covers.
10. With emphasis on the suspected leak area, inspect
the seals to ensure they are in good condition.
Ensure that the seals are not deformed, damaged,
twisted or out of position in such a manner that
would allow a leak to occur.
3807042
5. Inspect the bottom grommet basin (1) of the
waterfall drain system on each side of the vehicle.
Ensure they are fully seated in the wheelhouse
sheet metal, so water is not allowed to back up into
the cargo area.
2506389
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
April, 2014
11. Inspect the seal clearance and compression in the
vicinity where the leak point is suspected using the
following procedure:
11.1. Cut a piece of transparent sheet to
approximately 50 mm X 275 mm (2 in X 6 in)
or use paper currency in good condition.
– Transparent sheet measures
approximately 0.10 mm (0.004 in) thick.
– Paper currency measures approximately
0.07 mm (0.003 in) thick.
11.2. Position the transparent sheet or paper
currency (1) so that ½ will extend above the
tonneau or cargo cover front seal.
11.3. While holding the sheet or currency at the
suspected leak area, install the front cover
securely. Secure the LH side latch first, then
the RH latch.
11.4. Grasp the sheet or currency and attempt to
move side to side within the cover seal to
midgate joint. Observe the amount of
resistance.
11.5. At the area of least resistance, likely the leak
point, attempt to lift and remove the sheet or
currency from the cover seal to midgate
joint. Observe the amount of resistance.
Removal of the sheet or currency should be
met with a moderate amount of resistance.
11.6. If the sheet or currency can be removed with
little resistance, then the cover seal to
midgate joint requires adjustment. Increase
compression on the cover seal to the
midgate by adjusting the striker on the
affected side with the following steps:
11.6.1. Mark the position of the striker.
11.6.2. Loosen the two striker retaining
bolts.
11.6.3. Slide the striker forward slightly and
retighten the bolts.
11.6.4. Re-inspect the cover seal to
midgate joint for proper clearance
and compression.
11.6.5. Repeat the adjustment and
inspection process until the correct
seal clearance and compression is
achieved.
12. The remaining strikers on the same side of the
vehicle may need to be repositioned to maintain
proper cover to cover seal clearance and
compression.
Page 5
3807030
13. Once the strikers are readjusted, install the
tonneau or cargo covers. To ensure proper
location, install each cover in order, securing the
LH side latch first, then the RH latch.
14. Verify that the cover to cover seal interfaces are
correct by sighting each joint from cross vehicle
position to ensure that the interfaces are parallel
and uniform. Refer to the image above.
15. If the covers are not properly aligned, remove the
covers and adjust the striker positions opposite the
repair side to align the seal interfaces. Once the
adjustment is complete, reinstall the covers in
order, securing the LH side latch first, then the RH
latch.
16. Thoroughly test the entire tonneau or cargo cover
sealing system, including the side opposite the
repair, for water leaks to ensure a complete repair.
Repeat the adjustment process if water leaks are
still observed.
Condition 3
Some customers may comment on the following
concerns:
• The carpet is wet in the rear area of the vehicle.
• There is condensation on the windshield or side
glass.
• There is a damp or mildew odor in the vehicle.
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April, 2014
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
Cause 3
Important: Some vehicles may have been revised at
the factory with the use of ribbon sealer in the area
where the top bed rail seal joins the rear window
opening seal. It is important to maintain this revision
during the repair procedures. If the revision material
needs to be added to or replaced use a 9.5 mm Butyl
Ribbon Sealer, such as 3M P/N 08612 or equivalent.
Refer to the opposite side of the repair vehicle to
illustrate how the sealer is applied.
• Insufficient seal pressure between the upper
midgate glass panel and the body opening
weatherstrip.
• Incorrect alignment of the midgate to the body.
• Insufficient seal pressure between the tonneau or
cargo cover and the midgate cross bar.
Water Test Procedure
1. Assure that the midgate cross bar is completely
closed. Inspect the latches on both sides.
2. Assure that the arrow on the mid glass is aligned
with the arrow on the cross bar.
3. Verify that the interior trim is not putting pressure
on or overlapping the upper weatherstrip, causing
a poor seal.
2219692
• Sand the weatherstrip in the bulb and wing area
from the push pin zone to the edge of the bat
wing (1).
• Clean the surfaces per the adhesive
manufacturer's instructions.
2219696
2219700
4. Ensure that the weatherstrip mucket (bat wing) is
glued to the weatherstrip (1).
5. If the mucket is not glued as shown, use the
following glue procedure.
• Remove the weatherstrip as required to access
this revision.
• Glue the area as shown using GM Instant
Gel Adhesive P/N 12345632 (in Canada,
P/N 10953475) or equivalent (1).
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
April, 2014
Page 7
2. If the first procedure does not completely resolve
the leak, use the following procedure.
2.1. Remove the interior trim. Refer to Rear Upper
Garnish Molding Replacement in SI.
2219696
• Reinstall the weatherstrip. Ensure that the
revised weatherstrip appears as shown
above (1).
6. Refer to Waterleak Test Preparation in SI to
determine the source of the leak.
2216522
Correction 3
From the listed repair procedures, determine the steps
that will correct the condition on the tested vehicle.
1. If the water is coming in around the window area,
use the following procedure.
2.2. Partially remove the upper window
weatherstrip. Begin at the center joint and pull
the weatherstrip down to the weatherstrip
push pin (1).
2216524
2216521
1.1. Move the midgate striker rearward in the
vehicle approximately 2 mm (1).
1.2. Close the midgate and check the closing
effort with the latch repositioned.
1.3. Adjust the striker position to balance the
closing effort and for adequate seal
compression.
2.3. Using duck bill vise grips, bend the flange
toward the inside of the vehicle. Start the
procedure at the midgate upper glass latch
area and work outward and down to the
weatherstrip push pin (1).
2.4. Reinstall the weatherstrip and ensure that the
weatherstrip is fully seated on the flange.
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April, 2014
Bulletin No.: 08-08-57-007D
3.2. Install the tonneau or cargo cover panels and
inspect for proper fit. All of the tonneau or
cargo cover panels may need to be re aligned
after the number one panel repositioning.
4. Refer to Waterleak Test Preparation in SI to
determine that the source of the leak has been
properly diagnosed and corrected.
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
2216525
2.5. After the weatherstrip is reinstalled, crimp the
full length of the weatherstrip with the duck bill
vise grips to ensure a weather tight seal (1).
3. If the seal is still not adequate, use the following
procedure to adjust the tonneau or cargo cover.
Labor
Time
Description
1480228*
Cargo Box Cover Weatherstrip
Alignment/Adjustment or
Replacement
0.7 hr
1480238*
Water Test and Align Midgate,
Revise Flange
2.0 hrs
*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only. It will
not be published in the Labor Time Guide.
2216527
3.1. Remove the tonneau or cargo cover panels.
Move the number one tonneau or cargo cover
mount 3 mm forward on the water leak
side (1).
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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