CAMPAIGN: TIRE BEAD DAMAGE DURING MOUNTING (GENERAL TIRES
SUBJECT: 96-C-36 - TIRE BEAD DAMAGE DURING MOUNTING (GENERAL TIRES ONLY) ----------------------------------------------------------
MODELS: 1995-1996 C/K CREW CAB AND G VAN 30 SERIES WITH RPO XHP/YHP- FLINT ASSEMBLY ONLY (VIN CODE "F") ------------------------------------------------
The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.
If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.
To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
DEFECT INVOLVED
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1995-1996 G Vans 30 Series and C/K Crew Cab trucks equipped with General Ameri'550 AS LT225/75Rl6D 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, 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 G Vans 30 Series and C/K Crew Cab trucks equipped with General Ameri'550 AS LT225/75Rl6D tires, and built within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- -------- ----- ----- ----- ---- -------
1995 Chevrolet C/K Flint F SFOO7868 SFOO9531 1995 Chevrolet G Van Flint F SF223713 SF253581 1995 GMC C/K Flint F SFOO8186 SFOO9497 1995 GMC G Van Flint F SF549985 SF558831 1996 Chevrolet C/K Flint F TFOO0031 TFOO7625 1996 Chevrolet G Van Flint F TF100009 TF101364 1996 GMC C/K Flint F TFOO0042 TFOO7605 1996 GMC G Van Flint F TF500009 TF500656
NOTICE: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) or ServiceNet (GMC only) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The Customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.
PARTS INFORMATION
Refer to GM bulletin #52-05-09 dated October, 1995 to obtain new tire(s) and for return of damaged tire(s). DO NOT ORDER TIRES FROM GMSPO. To obtain a tire(s) and to return damaged tire(s) to General, you will need to complete the General Motors Tire Requisition & Return Document (Figure 1). When completing the section "Reason for Tire Removal", you are to check off the bead box and in comments write campaign number 96-C-36.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of divisional customer letter(s) included with this bulletin). DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the appropriate divisional customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your 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.
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 brake pulsation. Use an accurate torque wrench and refer to Section 3E-B Tires and Wheels of the service manual for proper tightening sequence and torque specifications.
6. If damage is found, replace the tire. Mount & balance new tire & install on truck. Torque wheel to specification by following torque procedure specified in step #5.
7. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected 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 campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point 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 by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to install the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from VISPAC Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.
Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:
REPAIR PART FAILED PARTS CC- LABOR LABOR NET PERFORMED COUNT PART ALLOW FC 0P HOURS ITEM NO. Inspect Only- N/A N/A N/A MA- V9944 0.2 --- No General 96 Tires On Vehicle
Inspect/R&R N/A N/A N/A MA- V9945 0.7 **$25.00 Wheel/Tire/Asm 96 From Vehicle- 1 Tire (includes balance) Each additional tire add 0.5 hrs.
* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".
** An Administrative Allowance of $25.00 per claim is to be submitted as a Net Item. Refer to Warranty Administrative Bulletin #60-05-01A, dated May, 1996.
Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.
Dear GMC Customer:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1995-1996 G Vans 30 Series and C/K Crew Cab trucks equipped with General Ameri*550 AS LT225/75Rl6D 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 GMC 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 performed for you at no charge.
Instructions for performing this service have been sent to your GMC dealer. Please contact your dealer to arrange a service date. The labor time necessary to perform this correction will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 3 hours and 45 minutes, depending on the number of tire's involved. Parts are available for completion of this service. Please ask your dealer how much additional time will be needed to process your vehicle.
Your GMC dealer is best equipped to provide service to ensure your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. However, if you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date and they do not service this condition on that date or within five days, we recommend you contact GMC Consumer Relations by telephone. Consumer Relations will assist you and your dealer in getting your vehicle corrected. The telephone number of the Consumer Relations office is listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Manual.
After contacting your GMC dealer and GMC Consumer Relations, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D. C., 20590, or call 800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. residents use 202-366-0123).
The enclosed postage paid owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please fumish us complete name and address of the person you sold or traded your vehicle to and return the card to us.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our product.
Pontiac-GMC Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
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.
