'LOOSE LUMBER' REAR SHOCK NOISE IN TRUNK AREA. Chevrolet Cavalier 1996

SUBJECT: "LOOSE LUMBER" REAR SHOCK NOISE IN TRUNK AREA (INSPECT/ REPLACE REAR UPPER STRUT MOUNT)

MODELS: 1995-97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1995-97 PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1996-97 TOYOTA CAVALIER

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON A REAR SHOCK NOISE WHICH SOUNDS LIKE LOOSE LOGS OR LUMBER IN THE TRUNK AREA. THIS NOISE OR RATTLE IS PRESENT IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND MAY BE MORE NOTICEABLE WITH UNEVEN OR SNOW PACKED ROAD SURFACES AT SLOW SPEEDS, USUALLY 5 - 20 MPH (8 - 32 KM/H).

CAUSE:

REAR SHOCK DAMPING RESPONSE MAY BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH THE BODY STRUCTURE AND HEARD AS A LOOSE LUMBER NOISE.

CORRECTION:

A NEW SOFTER DUROMETER UPPER SHOCK MOUNT WILL GO INTO PRODUCTION APPROXIMATELY MARCH OF 1997.

IMPORTANT:

IT IS STILL NECESSARY TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION AS FOLLOWS.

1. INSPECT AND RE-TORQUE REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNTS, LOWER SHOCK MOUNTS, AND BRACKET TO AXLE.

2. REMOVE THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT TO BODY BOLTS AND NUT. REFER TO SECTION 3D OF THE SERVICE MANUAL.

3. INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF UNDERBODY COATING BETWEEN THE STRUT MOUNT AND THE BODY. REMOVE ANY MATERIAL SO THAT THE UPPER MOUNT MATES TO THE PAINTED SURFACE.

4. IF THE ABOVE IS OK, INSTALL REVISED UPPER SHOCK MOUNT, P/N 22178213, AND RECHECK.

PARTS INFORMATION:

P/N DESCRIPTION === ===========

22178213 UPPER SHOCK MOUNT

PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE APRIL 21, 1997.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER: E5057 USE PUBLISHED LABOR OPERATION TIME.

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

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.