CAMPAIGN:FRONT SPRING TO LOWER SPRING SEAT RETENTION 80 CIT.

1980 CHEVROLET CITATION MODELS

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to Motor Vehicle Safety exists on some 1980 Chevrolet Citation Models. The front coil spring may have a larger than desired inside diameter of the lower coil where it rests on the spring seat. The increased diameter could allow the spring to be forced over the lower spring seat of the strut assembly due to suspension forces. Should this condition exist, it could cause brake hose and suspension damage. Tire damage may also occur if the vehicle in operated with a spring in this position.

Damage to the brake hose could result in hose rupture and in partial loss of braking action. Because these vehicles are equipped with a dual braking system, a part of the system will remain functional. The vehicle can still be stopped, but over a greater than normal distance. Should a partial loss of brak- ing action occur while the vehicle is in motion at a time when minimum stopping distances are required, or tire damage result in a blow-out, a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

All 1980 Chavrolet Citation Models assembled at Willow Run and Tarrytown within the following parameters are involved:

Plant From Through ----- ---- ------- Willow Run Start of Production 1X685AW110821 Tarrytown Start of Production 1X087AT104742

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Some vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers within the above listed range of numbers were corrected in the plants and will not appear on the print out.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

No owner notification will be required since all involved vehicles are in dealer stock.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

Dealers are to perform this product improvement campaign on all affected vehicles in new car stock prior to vehicle sale.

DEALER ACTION

Dealers are to inspect and, if necessary, replace the front spring(s) assembly as directed in the Service Procedures in this bulletin.

SERVICE PROCEUDRE

Inspection Procedure

A) By viewing strut assembly through wheel house opening, determine if front coil spring has slipped over lower spring seat of strut assembly.

NOTE: If spring has slipped over lower seat of strut assembly, contact your local Chevrolet Zone Office Service Department. If spring has not slipped over lower seat of strut aseembly, proceed to Stop "B".

B) Measure the outer circumference of lowest coil on front spring by the following procedure:

1. Reaching between tire and wheel house opening with a shop towel, clean entire outer surface of lower portion of coil spring (any undercoating would also have to be removed).

2. Obtain a 15 7/8" length of 3/4" masking tape.

3. Wrap tape around outer circumference of lowest spiral of coil spring being sure to start tape flush with pigtail end.

4. Position a mirror approximately 1 inch from spring, square to meeting point of tape ends; and look through coil openings, approximately 180 degrees from this point, sighting along outboard side of strut assembly (See Figure 1).

a) If tape ends meet or overlap as viewed in mirror (See Figure 2A, no further action in required.

b) If tape ends do not meet or overlap as viewed in mirror (See Figure 2B, spring replacement will be necessary (See Service Procedure).

5. Repeat inspection procedures on opposite side of vehicle.

Replacement Procedure

Replace front coil spring using procedures outlined in 1980 Citation Shop Manual, Section 3C.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts, when required are to be ordered through the Chevrolet Zone Service Department. SINCE VERY FEW OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL REQUIRE SPRING(S) REPLACEMENT, DEALERS ARE TO ORDER ONLY THE ACTUAL NUMBER REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. When requesting parts through the Zone, the Part Number and Spring Code will be required (see tag on spring).

WARRANTY INFORMATION. FAILURE CODE, LABOR TIME ALLOWANCE, FAILED LABOR OPERATION AND CONDITION CODE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dealers are to submit each campaigned vehicle as a sepate case on the one-line Warranty Claim Form, GSD-970.

The campaign Failure Code, Labor Operation Number and Condition Code are to be submitted exactly as shown on the example GSD-970 one-line Claim Form included in this campaign bulletin.

Dealers submitting warranty Claim Application on the Chevrolet Dealer Communication System are to submit campaign claims via the Dealer Communications Terminal according to the campaign claim procedure documented in the Chevrolet "Dealer Communication System-Operation Guide."

Field Failure Labor Time Labor Condition Code Allowance Operation Code ------- ---------- --------- ---------- 1A .2 Hours 80C11 89

Description: Inspect vehicle - does not require spring (s) replacment. No further action required.

1B .8 Hours 80C11 89

Description: Inspect and replace one (1) spring aseembly.

1C 1.4 Hours 80C11 89

Description: Inspect and replace two (2) spring assemblies.

Dealers will automatically receive .1 Hours Dealer Administrative Detail Associated With This Campaign.

Dealers will automatically receive 30% of dealer net when parts are ordered through the Chevrolet Zone Service Department.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each vehicle modified in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the five digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner. Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean dry surface.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

THE APPROPRIATE CAMPAIGN HANDLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE MAY BE FOUND IN THE CHEVROLET SERVICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURE MANUAL, SECTION 4, PAGES 1 AND 2, DATED OCTOBER, 1978 IN YOUR DEALERSHIP.

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.