G 1500 1/2 Ton Van V8-5.7L VIN R (1996)
Technical Service Bulletin # 6D03
Date: 960601
Campaign - Rear Axle U-Bolt Fracture
6D03
GM CANADA
Issued: 06/01/96
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 maneuvers, 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:
VIN
VIN
1GCHG35RXT1000805
1GTGG25W1T1000624
1GCHG35R2T1000913
1GTHG35R7T1000809
1GCHG35R2T1001012
1GTHG35R4T1000962
1GCGG25R6T1002377
1GTHG35R7T1001054
1GTGG25W8T1000572
1GTGG25F3T1003377
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 kilometers 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