CAMPAIGN: TIRE BEAD DAMAGE DURING MOUNTING (GENERAL TIRES
SUBJECT: TIRE BEAD DAMAGE DURING MOUNTING (GENERAL TIRES ONLY) --------------------------------
Models: 1995-1996 Chevrolet & GMC C/K Crew Cabs and G Vans 30 Series with RPO XHP/YHP - Flint Assembly Only (VIN Code "F") ------------------------------------------------------------------
TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS
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General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in CERTAIN 1995-1996 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Crew Cab trucks and G Vans 30 Series equipped with General Ameri*550 AS LT225/75Rl6D tires. Some of these vehicles have may have a bead damage to the tires which occurred during tire mounting. This damage to the tire reinforcing structure in the bead "toe" area would likely manifest itself as a bulge in the sidewall after the tire is inflated. The bulge may be noticeable when the tire is used in a single wheel position. But, if it is used in a dual rear wheel installation, the bulges on the tires would face each other and would not be noticeable. Typically, this condition would result in a slow air loss causing the tire to go flat. However, it is possible for the damage to result in a rapid air loss, which could cause injuries to anyone if they were handling the tire when this occurred.
To correct this condition, dealers are to demount each General Tire and inspect it for bead damage. If bead damage is present, the tire will be replaced.
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Involved are CERTAIN 1995-1996 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Crew Cab trucks and G Vans 30 Series equipped with General Ameri*550 AS LT225/5Rl6D tires, built within the following VIN breakpoints:
Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through
1995 Chevrolet C/K Flint F SFOO7868 SFOO9531 1995 Chevrolet G Flint F SF223713 SF253581 1995 GMC C/K Flint F SFOO8186 SFOO9526 1995 GMC G Flint F SF549985 SF558979 1996 Chevrolet C/K Flint F TFOO0031 TFOO7625 1996 Chevrolet G Flint F TF100009 TF101364 1996 GMC C/K Flint F TFOO0042 TFOO7605 1996 GMC G Flint F TF500009 TF500656
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 WELL BE PAID.
All affected vehicles have been identified by the VIN listing provided to involved dealers with this bulletin. Any dealer not receiving a listing was not shipped any of the affected vehicles.
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:
New tires are to be obtained from General Tire using the procedure described in your Policies and Procedures Manual, ARTICLE 1.5.13. DO NOT ORDER TIRES FROM GMSPO. When returning damaged tire(s) to General, you will need to complete the General Motors Tire Requisition and Retum Document (GN0382) (Figure 1). When completing the section "Failure Location/Responsibility", you are to check off the bead box and in comments write in the campaign number 6D14.
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 ----------- ----------- --------------
1A Inspect Only - No General Tires On Vehicle 0.3
*6A Inspect, R&R I Wheel/Tire/Asm from Vehicle 0.7 (includes balance)
Each additional tire add 0.5 Hours
Time allowance includes 0. I hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign.
* All prepaid freight charges and $25.00 tire handling allowance can be submitted under Repair Code 6A for tire handling.
SERVICE PROCEDURE:
1. Verify the truck is equipped with General Ameri *550 AS LT225/75Rl6D tires. (Some trucks may come from the factory with General tires on front, and another brand on the rear. Proceed with service procedure on General Tires only.)
2. Mark the orientation of the tire to the wheel.
3. Raise the vehicle on the hoist. Check the sidewalls of the tires including the spare for any bulge, if a bulge is found, that tire will need to be replaced. Whether a bulge is found or not, totally deflate all General Tires.
4. Remove the deflated tire/wheel assemblies from the truck. Dismount the tire from the wheel. Carefully inspect the tire bead's for any cuts, tears or other damage. (See Figure 2).
5. If no damage is found, remount the tire on the wheel using the orientation marks made in Step #2 and install the tire/wheel assembly on the truck. Torque wheel to specification. Proceed to step #7.
CAUTION:
Over tightening of wheel lugs could distort brake rotors resulting in brake pulsation. Use an accurate torque wrench and refer to Section 3E-8 Tires and Wheels of the service manual for proper tightening sequence and torque specifications.
6. If damage is found, replace the tire. Mount and balance new tire and install on truck. Torque wheel to specification by following torque procedure specified in step #5.
7. 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 campaign has been completed.
July 1996
Dear General Motors Customer:
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1995 and 1996 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Crew Cab trucks and G Vans equipped with General Ameri*550 AS LT225/75RI6 tires. Some of these vehicles have bead damage to the tires,which occurred during tire mounting. This damage to the tire reinforcing structure in the bead "toe" area would likely manifest itself as a bulge in the sidewall after the tire is inflated. The bulge may be noticeable when the tire is used in a single wheel position. But, if it is used in a dual rear wheel installation, the bulges on the tires would face each other and would not be noticeable. Typically, this condition would result in a slow air loss causing the tire to go flat. However, it is possible for the damage to result in a rapid air loss, which could cause injuries to anyone if they were handling the tire when this occurred.
To correct this condition, your GM dealer will demount each General tire and inspect it for bead damage. If bead damage is present, the tire will be replaced.
This service will be provided for you at no charge.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a 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.
