Recall - Firestone Steel Wheels Cracking
Number: 85C02Section: 3E
Date: October, 1984
Subject: PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 85C02 FIRESTONE 16 X 6 DISC WHEEL MAY CRACK
Model and Year: 1984-1985 CHEVROLET C/K30 CHASSIS-CAB MODELS EQUIPPED WITH RPO R05 (DUAL REAR WHEELS)
TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle 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 owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to adequately repair within 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 owners 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 solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the letter which is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the nearest Chevrolet Zone Office if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five days of the agreed 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 been notified by Firestone Steel Products that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some Firestone Steel Products 16 X 6 disc wheels, which were installed on some 1984- 1985 Chevrolet C/K30 Chassis-Cab models equipped with dual rear wheels (RPO R05). Firestone has reported that due to a possible manufacturing problem, the wheel may crack in the drop center portion of the rim. If a crack were to occur on a wheel with a tube type tire mounted to it and remain undetected, the crack could spread and eventually split the wheel resulting in rapid air pressure loss from the tire. Rapid loss of air pressure in a tire, when the vehicle is in motion, may cause loss of vehicle control and subsequent vehicle crash without prior warning.
Number : 85C02
Section : 3E
Page No.: 2
DEFECT INVOLVED (CONT'D)
Dealers are to inspect all wheels and replace any that have suspect manufacturing date codes.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1984-1985 Chevrolet C/K30 Chassis-Cab Models equipped with dual rear wheels (RPO 105) and built within the following vehicle identification number breakpoints:
Plant Year From Thru
Pontiac 1984 EV142604 EV144075
Pontiac 1985 FV100001 FV100211
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to the involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.
These listings may contain owner 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. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin was not shipped any involved vehicles.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Chevrolet Motor Division (see copy of Owner Letter included with this bulletin).
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
Number : 85C02
Section : 3E
Page No.: 3
SERVICE PROCEDURE
WHEEL INSPECTION
1. Raise vehicle.
-Wheel Inspection:
2. Inspect all wheels, including spare if equipped, for Manufacturing Date Code (see Figure 1).
It will be necessary to remove the rear dual wheels to inspect the inner wheel on each side.
3. If a wheel has one of the following suspect Manufacturing Date Codes or if the date code cannot be read, replace the wheel using the procedure below:
Month Day Year
7 19 84
7 20 84
7 21 84
7 22 84
7 23 84
7 24 84
7 25 84
7 26 84
4. If none of the wheels have above suspect Manufacturing Date Codes, no further action is required. Reinstall wheels as described in the 1984 Chevrolet Light Duty Truck Service Manual ST-330-84, 3E-9.
WHEEL REPLACEMENT
1. Obtain replacement wheel, P/N 14035381, and (for vehicles equipped with tubeless tires) new valve stem, P/N 274288.
2. Mask inboard and outboard sides of flat portion of wheel center section (wheel mounting surfaces) and paint with the appropriate color to match the wheel removed.
Paint is not required on the tire mounting side of rim.
3. If vehicle is equipped with tubeless tires, install new valve stem in replacement wheel.
4. Remove tire from wheel to be replaced.
5. Mount tube, if required, and tire on replacement wheel and balance the assembly (reference the 1984/1985 Light Duty Truck Service Manual ST-382-85 3E-9 for instructions).
6. Lower vehicle and install Campaign Completion label.
Number : 85C02
Section : 3E
Page No.: 5
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this modification are to be obtained from the Warehousing and Distribution Division of General Motors (WDDGM). To ensure that these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from WDDGM on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2).
Part Number Quantity Description
14035381 As required 16 X 6 Disc Wheel
274288 As required Valve stem
IMPORTANT: Defective wheel(s) removed from the involved vehicles will be retained by the dealer in accordance with the instructions outlined in the dealers current Policy and Procedures Manual.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:
Parts Failed Parts Failure Labor Labor *Other
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours
00 V2400 .6 .1
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels, including spare when so equipped for date code only. Includes R & R rear dual wheels. No further action required.
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor *Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
2 14035381 00 V2401 1.6 .1 4.34
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels, replace one (1) wheel only.
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor *Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
4 14035381 00 V2402 2.3 .1 6.98
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels and replace two (2) wheels.
Number : 85C02
Section : 3E
Page No.: 6
CLAIM INFORMATION (CONT'D)
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
6 14035381 00 V2403 3.0 .1 9.62
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels and replace three (3) wheels.
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor *Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
8 14035381 00 V2404 3.6 .1 12.26
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels and replace four (4) wheels.
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor *Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
10 14035381 00 V2405 4.3 .1 14.90
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels and replace five (5) wheels.
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor *Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
12 14035381 00 V2406 5.0 .1 17.54
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels and replace six (6) wheels.
Parts Failed **Parts Failure Labor ***Labor *Other Net
Count Part No. Allowance Code Operation Hours Hours Amount
12 14035381 00 V2407 5.7 .1 18.30
DESCRIPTION: Inspect all wheels and replace seven (7) wheels.
Number: 85C02
Section: 3E Page No.: 7
CLAIM INFORMATION (CONT'D)
*Campaign Administrative Allowance.
**The Parts Allowance should be the sum total of the current WDDGM Dealer Net price plus 30% for wheel assemblies.
***Labor Hours includes labor time for painting, paint "mix time", tire mounting, balancing, and R & R of wheel assembly from vehicle.
The Net Amount credit will automatically be given for each labor operation to cover the cost of paint, paint supplies and valve stem(s) used in conjunction with the repair.
Dealers will automatically receive the correct labor and material allowance based on the labor operation performed.
Refer to the Chevrolet Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim submission.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
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.
Number : 85C02
Section : 3E
Page No.: 8
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
REFER TO THE CURRENT CHEVROLET SERVICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL AND CLAIMS PROCESSING MANUAL FOR CAMPAIGN HANDLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.
Dear Chevrolet Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
General Motors has been notified by Firestone Steel Products that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some Firestone Steel Products 16 X 6 disc wheels, which were installed on some 1984-1985 Chevrolet C/K30 Chassis-Cab models equipped with dual rear wheels (RPO R05). Firestone has reported that due to a possible manufacturing problem, the wheel may crack in the drop center portion of the rim. If a crack were to occur on a wheel with a tube type tire mounted to it and remain undetected, the crack could spread and eventually split the wheel resulting in rapid air pressure loss from the tire. Rapid loss of air pressure in a tire, when the vehicle is in motion, may cause loss of vehicle control and subsequent vehicle crash without prior warning.
To prevent the possibility of the condition occurring on your vehicle, please contact your Chevrolet Dealer on or after the date shown below to arrange a service date. Your dealer will inspect each wheel on your vehicle and replace it if necessary. This service will be completed at no charge to you.
Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your Chevrolet Dealer. It is estimated that parts will be available on November 13, 1984. The labor time necessary to inspect the wheels on your vehicle is approximately 30 minutes. Additional labor time to replace your vehicles wheels if necessary, will vary between 1 and 1/2 hours and 6 hours. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to process your vehicle.
Your Chevrolet Dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and 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 remedy this condition on that date or within five days, we recommend you contact the nearest Chevrolet Zone Office, either in person or by telephone. The Zone Office will assist you and the dealer in getting your vehicle corrected. The locations and the telephone numbers of the zone offices are listed in your Owner's Manual.
After contacting your dealer and the zone office, 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 426-0123).
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid owner reply card and returning it 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 products.
Chevrolet Motor Division General Motors Corporation
Enclosure