CLUNKING NOISE AT FRONT END OF VEHICLE (REPOSITION BRACES). Buick Century 1994

SUBJECT: CLUNKING NOISE AT FRONT END OF VEHICLE (REPOSITION DIAGONAL RADIATOR SUPPORT BRACES)

MODELS: 1994 BUICK CENTURY 1994 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON CLUNKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROADS.

CAUSE:

THIS CONDITION MAY BE DUE TO THE RADIATOR SUPPORT BRACES CONTACTING THE BACK SURFACE OF THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER.

CORRECTION:

REPOSITION THE RADIATOR SUPPORT BRACES USING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:

1. RAISE HOOD TO FULL OPEN POSITION.

2. REMOVE THE GRILLE ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE FRONT ATTACHING BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT STRUT BRACKET.

3. REMOVE THE ENGINE MOUNT STRUT BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS AND REPOSITION BRACKET TOWARD ENGINE.

4. REMOVE THE UPPER RADIATOR MOUNTING PANEL.

5. USING A LARGE SCREWDRIVER (OR SUITABLE PRY BAR), INSERT THE TOOL BETWEEN THE UPPER TIE BAR AND RADIATOR TO CAREFULLY PRY THE SUPPORT BRACE REARWARD AND PROVIDE CLEARANCE TO THE BACK SURFACE OF THE CONDENSER.

6. AFTER SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE HAS BEEN OBTAINED, REINSTALL THE UPPER RADIATOR MOUNTING PANEL AND TORQUE THE ATTACHING SCREWS TO 10 N.M (89 LB. IN.).

7. REINSTALL THE ENGINE MOUNT STRUT BRACKET AND TORQUE THE ATTACHING BOLTS TO 24 N.M (18 LB. FT.).

8. REINSTALL THE GRILLE ASSEMBLY AND LOWER THE HOOD.

NOTE: AS ALWAYS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE ROADTESTED TO ENSURE THAT THE CONDITION HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE: LABOR OPERATION NUMBER: J3202 LABOR TIME: 0.4 HRS. ADD: 0.1 HRS. - TO REPOSITION BRACES

FIGURES: 0

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE 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 A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.