Info on Frt Axle Lube for 4WD Vehicles:Synthetic Axle Lubricant Installed at Factory on 2004 Chev/GMC 2500/3500 Series Pickups/Utilities Equipped with 9.25 Inch Frt Axle Built After April 1, 2004

This message is to revise VSS20040079, dated March 30, 2004, to include the correct fill level information.

Corporate Bulletin Number 03-04-19-001 was issued in February, 2003 to advise that the referenced vehicles are built with a 9.25" front axle assembly that includes a mineral-oil base axle lubricant. The bulletin was re-issued as Corporate Bulletin Number 03-04-19-001A in October, 2003. The bulletin advises to change the front axle lubricant to Synthetic-base Axle Lubricant (GM P/N 12378261 or Canadian P/N 10953455), during PDI, prior to delivery to the first retail customer, if the vehicle is expected to be operated at very low ambient temperatures. The labor operation number for performing this procedure is F0011.

This message is to advise that there has been a change. 9.25" front axle assemblies built on or after March 22, 2004 are filled with Synthetic-base axle lubricant as the original fill, to a level between 0 and 6 mm (0" to .25") below the bottom of the fill plug. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the axle fluid on vehicles built after April 1, 2004. Do not perform the fluid change, and do not file a claim using F0011, for vehicles built in April, 2004 or later.

Any vehicles in dealer inventory that were built in March, 2004 or earlier, and which may need to have the fluid changed per the instructions in Corporate Bulletin Number 03-04-19-001, should be completed as soon as possible. Labor Operation F0011 will no longer be available for use after June 1, 2004.

Thank you for your cooperation.