Bulletin No.: 09-08-64-032
Date: September 25, 2009
Subject: Chrome Outside Door Handle Loose/Cracked at Attachment Screw (Replace Handle)
Models:
2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT
2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2007-2008 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Yukon Denali, Yukon Denali XL
Condition
Some customers may comment that a chrome outside door handle is loose or cracked in the area of the attachment screws.
Cause
This condition may be caused by grease used on the attachment screws during the assembly process, which can migrate into the handle screw bosses and cause degradation. Another contributing factor to this condition is that the initial assembly torque of the attachment screws was too high, which may have helped initiate cracks in the screw bosses.
Correction
Important
When replacing a chrome outside door handle for this condition, be sure to address the following: - Ensure that the attachment screws are free from grease before installing the new handle. Clean the screws with Kent Automotive Acrysol(TM), or an equivalent grease removing body solvent.
- Torque the screws to 6 Nm (53 lb-in).
Replace the affected chrome outside door handle. Refer to Front Side Door Outside Handle Replacement, Rear Side Door Outside Handle Replacement, or Rear Side Door Outside Handle Replacement (Crew Cab) in SI.
There is a thread on another forum where some good posts deal with this:
Post #64: http://chevroletforum.com/forum/tahoe-suburban-25/broken-exterior-door-handles-40726/page7/
Pic in post 58: http://chevroletforum.com/forum/tahoe-suburban-25/broken-exterior-door-handles-40726/page6/
pic in post 49: http://chevroletforum.com/forum/tahoe-suburban-25/broken-exterior-door-handles-40726/page5/