CAMPAIGN: IMPROVEMENT 1980 PHOENIX FRONT SPRING. Pontiac Phoenix 1980

For 1990-2009 cars

# CAMPAIGN: IMPROVEMENT 1980 PHOENIX FRONT SPRING

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS ON SOME 1980 PHOENIX 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 SUSPENSION FORCES. SHOULD THIS CONDITION EXIST, IT COULD CAUSE BRAKE HOSE AND SUSPENSION DAMAGE. TIRE DAMAGE MAY ALSO OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE IS 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 BRAKING 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 PHOENIX MODELS ASSEMBLED AT THE TARRYTOWN (T) ASSEMBLY PLANT WITHIN THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS: 1980 TARRYTOWNSOP 2Y375AT104053 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) ASSEMBLED AS DIRECTED IN THE SERVICE PROCEDURES IN THIS BULLETIN. SERVICE PROCEDURE INSPECTION PROCEDURE A. BY VIEWING STRUT ASSEMBLY THROUGH WHEELHOUSE OPENING, DETERMINE IF FRONT COIL SPRING HAS SLIPPED OVER LOWER SPRING SEAT OF STRUT ASSEMBLY (FIG.0). NOTICE: IF SPRING HAS SLIPPED OVER LOWER SEAT OF STRUT ASSEMBLY, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PONTIAC ZONE OFFICE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. IF SPRING HAS NOT SLIPPED OVER LOWER SEAT PF STRUT ASSEMBLY, PROCEED TO STEP "B". B. MEASURE THE OUTER CIRCUMFERENCE OF LOWEST COIL ON FRONT SPRING BY THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE: 1. REACHING BETWEEN TIRE AND WHEELHOUSE OPENING WITH A SHOP TOWEL, CLEAN ENTIRE OUTER SURFACE OF LOWER PORTION OR 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 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 FIG.1). A. IF TAPE ENDS MEET OR OVERLAP AS VIEWED IN MIRROR (FIG 2A), NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED. B. IF TAPE ENDS DO NOT MEET OR OVERLAP AS VIEWED IN MIRROR (SEE FIG. 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 1980 PHOENIX SHOP MANUAL, SECTION 3C. NOTICE: AFTER INSPECTION PROCEDURES AND/OR REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETED: A. OPEN HOOD B. CLEAN THE SURFACE OF THE UPPER RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT WHERE IT IS VISIBLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR PERIODIC SERVICING BY THE OWNER. WHEN SURFACE IS CLEAN AND DRY, APPLY "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL 80-C-9". NOTICE: YOUR 6-DIGIT DEALER CODE IS TO TYPED OF WRITTEN IN WITH BALL POINT PEN ON THE CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL. C. CLOSE HOOD. ENCLOSED WITH YOUR CERTIFIED MAIL COPY OF THIS LETTER ARE THE FOLLOWING: A LIST OF THOSE VEHICLES INVOLVED, WHICH OUR RECORDS INDICATE ARE IN YOUR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA, IS ATTACHED FOR YOUR FOLLOW-UP. ADVISE THE ZONE IF VEHICLES APPERARING ON THE ATTACHED LIST ARE NOT IN YOUR AREA. (IF A LIST OF VEHICLES IS NOT ATTACHED, OUR RECORDS INDICATR NO AFFECTED VEHICLE IN YOUR AREA.) CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABELS 80-C-9 ARE FURNISHED FOR INSTALLATION TO IDENTIFY CARS COMPLETED. IF A VEHICLE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER LOCATION, PLEASE FORWARD DETAILS OF THE TTANSFER TO YOUR PONTIAC ZONE OFFICE. PARTS INFORMATION PARTS, WHEN REQUIRED, ARE TO BE ORDERED THROUGH THE PONTIAC ZONE SERIVE DEPARTMENT. SINCE VERY FEW OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL REQUIRE SPRINGS(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). DISPOSITION OF REPLACED PARTS SPRINGS REPLACED MUST BE HELD FOR DISPOSITION BE A PONTIAC MOTOR DIVISION ZONE REPRESENTATIVE. RECORDING COMPLETION CAMPAIGN COMPLETION WILL BE RECORDED FROM PROPERLY COMPLETED AND PAID WARRANTY CLAIMS. ADDITIONAL CAMPAIGN LABELS ARE AVAILABLE FROM YOUR ZONE OFFICE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. DEALERS SHOULD STILL SUBMIT WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CREDIT IN THEIR NORMAL MANNER AS FOLLOWS: NOTICE: A COMPLETED WARRANTY CLAIM IS TO BE KEPT AS A PERMANENT RECORD OF COMPLETION.) WARRANTY CREDIT A SEPARATE REPAIR ORDER NUMBER MUST BE USED FOR EACH VIN. (LABOR) THE NEW LABOR OPERATIONS LISTED BELOW ARE ASSIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. USE ONLY ONE OF THE LABOR OPERATIONS. DESCRIPTION LABOR OPERATIONS TROUBLE CODE TIME _______________ _________________ ____________ ______ INSPECT VEHICLE E208094 96 0.2 HRS NO SPRING REPLACEMENT

INSPECT AND REPLACE E208095 96 0.8 HRS ONE(1) SPRING ASSY.

INSPECT AND REPLACE E208086 96 1.4 HRS TWO(2) SRINGS ASSY. DEALERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE 0.1 HOURS CREDIT FOR DEALER ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIL ASSOCIATED WITH THIS CAMPAIGN. TROUBLE CODE 96 MUST BE USED WITH THIS LABOR OPERATION. (PARTS) THE NECESSARY PART(S) IS TO BE LISTED ON YOUR WARRANTY CLAIM IN THE NORMAL MANNER. PARTS WILL BE CREDITED AT DEALER NET, PLUS THE 30 PERCENT HANDLING ALLOWANCE. PARTS REPLACED ARE TO BE PROPERLY TAGGED AND RETAINED FOR SCRAPPING BY A ZONE REPRESENTATIVE. (CREDITING) DEALERS WILL BE CREDITED VIA WARRANTY DOCUMENT OR TERMINAL TRANSMISSION, WHICHEVER IS THERI NORMAL METHOD OF SUBMISSION FOR PAYMENT. CLAIMS SHOULD BE CLAIM TYPE 01, CONTAINING ALL INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR A REGULAR CLAIM, AND SHOULD LIST THE LABOR OPERATION AS OUTLINED ABOVE. REPAIRS SUBMITTED FOR VEHICLES NOT INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN WILL NOT BE PAID.

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.