CAMPAIGN: REAR AXLE U-BOLT FRACTURE
SUBJECT: REAR AXLE U-BOLT FRACTURE -------------------------
Models: 1996 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Cargo Vans with 7,700# or greater GVW ---------------------------------------------------------------
TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in CERTAIN 1996 Chevrolet and GMC G Vans having a 7,700# or greater GVW. These vehicles may exhibit breakage of one of the four rear-axle U-bolts. When one of the U-bolts breaks and becomes ineffective, the other U-bolt on that side also becomes ineffective and the joint is no longer capable of correctly transmitting forces from the axle to the spring. The potential exists for the spring to lift from the axle under certain rebound and braking, or cornering manoeuvres, and then the rear axle would be free to provide steering inputs to the vehicle. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
To correct this condition, dealers are to replace the four rear axle U-bolts on the suspect vehicles.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are the following 10 1996 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Vans having 7,700# or greater GVWs listed below:
VIN VIN 1GCHG35RXT1000805 1GTGG25W1T1000624 1GCHG35R2T1O00913 1GTHG35R7T1OOO8O9 1GCHG35R2T1O01012 1GTHG35R4T1O00962 1GCGG25R6T1O02377 1GTHG35R7T1O01054 1GTGG25W8T1O00572 1GTGG25F3T1OO3377
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 445 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY:
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the Service Procedure of this Campaign Bulletin before owners take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometres travelled, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory with no owner information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:
Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns. Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers as soon as possible.
OWNER NOTIFICATION:
All owners of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
PARTS INFORMATION:
Parts required to complete this campaign should be ordered through regular channels, as follows:
Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ------------ ---------------- 15973471 U-Bolt 4
PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:
Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:
Repair Code Description Time Allowance ----------- ----------- ---------------
2A U-Bolt Replaced 0.9
Time allowance includes 0. I hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this carnpaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus appropriate model year parts handling allowance.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
Perform procedure on both sides of axle, I side at time (Refer to Figure #1):
REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Raise vehicle and support rear axle with safety stands.
2. Remove U-bolt nuts, washers, and anchor plate (Figure #l, Items 2,3,4).
3. Leaving the spacer plate in place on top of the axle, remove the U-bolts (Figure#1, Items 1).
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. With the spacer plate in place, install new U-bolts (Figure # 1, Items 1). Make sure that the rear spring is correctly positioned on the rear axle.
Install the anchor plate and hold it in place by installing the existing U-bolt washers and nuts finger tight (Figure #l, Items 2,3,4). With the first sequencing torque pattem, torque the U- bolt nuts in a diagonal sequence (e.g. 1-3-2-4) to 35 Nm (25 lb. ft.) (Refer to Figure #I). For the final torque sequence, torque the U-bolt nuts in a diagonal sequence (e.g. 1-3-2-4) to 135 Nm (100 lb. ft.). Repeat procedure on other side of axle.
2. Remove safety stands and lower vehicle.
3. Install Campaign Identification Label.
INSTALLATION OF CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Clean surface of radiator upper mounting panel and apply a Campaign Identification Label. Make sure the correct campaign number is inserted on the label. This will indicate that the carnpaign has been completed.
June 1996
Dear General Motors Customer:
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in CERTAIIN 1996 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Vans having a 7,700 pound or greater GVW. These vehicles may experience breakage of one of the four rear-axle U- bolts. When one of the U-bolts breaks and becomes ineffective, the other U-bolt on that side also becomes ineffective and the joint is no longer capable of correctly transmitting forces from the axle to the spring. Tbe potential exists for the spring to lift from the axle under certain rebound and braking, or comering manoeuvres, and then the rear axle would be free to provide steering inputs to the vehicle. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
To correct this condition, your dealer will replace the four rear axle U-bolts on the suspect vehicles.
This service will be provided for you at no charge.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.
If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.
This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited
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.
