2007 - 2013 GM Tonneau Cover Rain Water Leak Diagnosis (Chevrolet Avalanche & Cadillac Escalade EXT)

In this repair video we will go over how to diagnose, test, and repair, rain water intrusion leaks in the tonneau cargo cover design for the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT models from GM.
The truck illustrated is a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche LT Black Diamond Edition, but the part numbers, water intrusion procedures and tools shown in this video would be applicable for any GMT900 style 2007 thru 2013 Chevy Avalanche or Cadillac Escalade EXT.
The eBay and Amazon search links below are paid links, for which I may be compensated and earn a commission, if you choose to buy the parts and tools shown in this video thru them:
3M super weatherstrip adhesive 08008: ebay.us/Avujdh or amzn.to/44yThSf
50% isopropyl alcohol: ebay.us/c8JwfD or amzn.to/3XEXQbC
GM 88944066 forward seal panel #2 and panel #3: ebay.us/XCOMWE
GM 88944067 rear seal panel #3: ebay.us/rt5wCp
GM 88944065 forward seal panel #1: ebay.us/xj4YgH
GM 88944019 LH side channel weatherstrip: ebay.us/DiFuLv
GM 88944020 RH side channel weatherstrip: ebay.us/8JK7mL
GM 20787412 LH side gutter: ebay.us/waVmSt
GM 20787413 RH side gutter: ebay.us/eUSZUi
And if I've saved you some $$ here, consider some coins for the coffee tip-jar! ko-fi.com/drshock
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Chapters:
0:00 - Problem overview
0:59 - Isolating the source of a leak
9:34 - Adjusting panel gaps
14:08 - Removing the panel #2 seal
16:44 - Preparing the seal for reuse
21:04 - Reinstalling the panel #2 seal
28:17 - Testing the repair
35:40 - Seal parts explosion
36:34 - The "buck" test
#drshock #avalanche
Disclaimer: DrShock, the alias for the human content creator for this CZcams channel, is not responsible for any damages, injuries, losses, or liabilities associated with any repairs, upgrades, or maintenance performed on yours, or any other, vehicle whatsoever. No warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided within this channel. Viewing and using the “as-is" information of this channel is totally at your own risk. Always wear personal protection equipment and follow appropriate vehicle manufacturer service manual guidelines with original manufacturer parts only when performing any repairs, upgrades, or maintenance upon any vehicle.

[@onlyajeep97]

This is the best video, for this issue I have ever seen. Thank you for you time and expertise.

[@honkykong9561]

I’m having redo all my cover seals. I know cover 2 will squeeze against cover 1 and cover 3 will squeeze against cover 2. IBut what would be the process for cover 1? Or just install it like normal.? Thank you love your videos

[@DrShock]

Just install the three cover sections like normal before the new sealant sets up on the one you're restoring. You have to install all three to get the correct pressure to set it up without leaks, including the tailgate on #3.

[@danielb-c9100]

I have a question about GM parts. Let's say down the road GM discontinues the water pump for my truck. How do I figure out what's the other parent companies that make my truck part are? For example, in the video that you made for the 96K 1500 radar replacement. It was made by del pie. How do you figure that out .And can you make a video about it?

[@DrShock]

In the case you mention, and some others, it's just knowing what companies used to be actually part of GM but were later divested or spun off as GM struggled. Saginaw division became part of American Axle & Manufacturing. Harrison, Rochester, and Packard Electric divisions eventually became part of Delphi (and some later spun off yet again as Aptiv). There are some other examples like this such as AC Spark Plug division.
In some cases the part would carry the earlier GM division branding (like some radiators and heater cores were still molded with the _Harrison_ brand marks even after Delphi came into existence). In other cases the parts came from tier one suppliers to GM, and never were part of GM. Suppliers like Timken bearings, or Bosch fuel, had their own brand marks stamped into the metal parts. These are all techniques to figure out who supplied the part to GM/ACDelco as the OEM. I may do a video on this in the future, it's an interesting area of automotive history and research.

[@danielb-c9100]

I think steel rubber products can make you A. Custom one, you just gotta send it in a piece.

[@DrShock]

In this case, the seal was fine and reusable, but it needed to be reinstalled with the correct adhesive material to restore the weather resistant functionality.