Body - Tonneau Cover Fits To Loose On Vehicle
TECHNICALBulletin No.: 09-08-66-003A
Date: December 23, 2010
Subject: One-Piece Hard Tonneau Cover Fits Loose on Vehicle or Rear Tonneau Latch Not Functioning Properly (Adjust Rear Latch and Align Tonneau Cover)
Models:
2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado
2007-2011 GMC Sierra
Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2011 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 09-08-66-003 (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).
Condition
Some customers may comment that the hard tonneau rear latch is not functioning properly or that the tonneau cover is loose on the vehicle, causing noticeable movement during vehicle operation.
Cause
This condition may be caused by both sides of the latch not engaging or releasing at the same time, or the tonneau frame may be misaligned.
Correction
Note
The tonneau cover latches contain multiple design features to accommodate for build variation of the pickup box and tonneau cover.
Use the following repair process to obtain proper latch operation:
Inspect/Adjust Latch to Striker Loop Interface
Side to Side Adjustment
1. Lower the endgate.
2. Slowly lower the tonneau cover from the open to closed position. Use caution not to drop or slam the tonneau cover closed as this may damage the latch assembly.
3. Inspect the fit of the latch into the striker loop just before the U-shaped catch is engaged. The latch should fit into the striker loop without contacting any portion of the rear bracket or striker loop. If contact is observed, proceed with the following steps:
1. Loosen the two nuts of the rotary latch that is making contact to the striker loop assembly with a 7/16 inch wrench.
2. Slide the rotary latch side to side until the latch freely falls into the rear striker loop.
3. Tighten the rotary latch nuts to 2.26 Nm (20 lb in).
4. Inspect the operation of the latches by turning the twist handle. If the latches do not close or release properly, adjust the latch wire per the Inspect/Adjust Latch Release Operation section of this document.
Up and Down Adjustment
1. Lower the endgate.
2. Close the tonneau cover by pushing down on the panel near the twist handle on the top of the tonneau cover.
3. Inspect the fit of the tonneau cover side seal to the pickup box. If the seal does not have complete contact, lower the striker loop until the seal has complete contact using the following steps:
1. Loosen the two 1/4 inch nuts that hold the striker plate to the rear bracket.
2. Lower the striker loop.
3. Tighten the 1/4 inch nuts to 13.5 Nm (120 lb in).
4. Inspect for seal contact and repeat procedure as necessary.
4. Close the endgate.
5. Close the tonneau cover by pushing down on the panel near the twist handle on the top of the tonneau cover.
6. Inspect that both latches have engaged by lifting up on the corner of the tonneau.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 five more times to look for repeatability. If either one of the sides does not engage, manually close the latch that did not engage and inspect the latch closure of each side by wiggling each corner. Check for the following:
1. If one side is too loose and exhibiting excessive movement, lower the corresponding loop per steps 3.1-3.4 in the Up and Down Adjustment section above.
2. If one side requires excess manual efforts to close, raise the corresponding loop using the following steps:
1. Loosen the two 1/4 inch nuts that hold the striker plate to the rear bracket.
2. Raise the striker loop.
3. Tighten the 1/4 inch nuts to 13.5 Nm (120 lb in).
Inspect/Adjust Latch Release Operation
1. Open the tonneau cover.
2. Manually push the U-shaped catches closed for both sides of the vehicle. If either one of the catches does not close, proceed with the following steps:
1. Loosen the set screw of the cable bushing with a 5/64 inch allen wrench.
2. Push the cable inboard from the end of cable to add length to the cable between the latch assembly and the lock assembly.
3. Retighten the set screw.
Note
Both latches should engage at the same time.
4. Inspect the timing of the latch engagement by manually closing the latches and twisting the lock handle with the cover in the open position. If the latches do not engage at the same time, repeat the above adjustment until they do.
3. Twist the handle and listen for the latches to release. If either one of the catches does not open, proceed with the following steps:
1. Loosen the set screw of the cable bushing with a 5/64 inch allen wrench.
2. Pull the cable outboard from the end of the cable to shorten the length of the cable between the latch assembly and the lock assembly.
3. Retighten the set screw.
Note
Both latches should release at the same time.
4. Inspect the timing of latch release. Repeat steps 3.1-3.3 above, adjusting the latch that releases second, until both latches are releasing at the same time.
Verify that the front frame is centered and squared onto the pickup box
1. Measure from the edge of the front panel sheet metal cross-car to the edge of the hinge clip on both sides. Loosen hardware and adjust the frame position side to side until it's centered.
2. Measure from the stack pocket to the end of the side frame on both sides. Loosen hardware and adjust the frame position until both sides match.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the table.
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