CAMPAIGN: LEFT FRT. BRAKE PIPE INTERFER. W/CC SERVO BRACKET
MODELS AFFECTED: 1989 RIVIERA AND REATTA WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (JL9)
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 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 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 Buick 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, the owners are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
CONDITION
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1989 Buick Riviera and Reatta models equipped with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Involved vehicles may have been assembled with the left front brake pipe too close to the cruise control servo bracket. This condition could allow the left front brake line to contact the cruise control servo bracket. Over time, this contact could allow the brake line to wear through, causing a loss of brake fluid and a partial loss of braking capability. Part of the brake system will still work and allow the vehicle to be stopped, but over a greater distance. A partial loss of braking capability at a time when minimum stopping distance is required could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
DEALER ACTION
To correct this condition, dealers are to replace the left front brake pipe assembly on all vehicles involved according to the instructions in the Technical Procedure section of this bulletin.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Certain 1989 Riviera and Reatta model vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake System (option code JL9), within the following vehicle breakpoints:
YEAR PLANT FROM THROUGH AND INCLUDING ---- ----- ---- --------------------- 1989 Hamtramck KU400001 KU413033 1989 Reatta Craft Centre KB900001 KB904725
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to service all vehicles involved in this campaign at no charge to the owner, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership. Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used car inventory, dealers are to 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.
In addition, dealers are to perform the campaign on all affected vehicles as they are brought in for any kind of service.
DEALER MATERIAL
If your dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive the following items:
- Listing of all vehicles involved in this campaign shipped to your dealership.
- One (1) Campaign Identification Label per vehicle involved.
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number computer listings. Computer listings contain the complete identification number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to the involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.
These computer 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.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners of vehicles involved in this campaign will be notified by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).
CHANGE OF OWNER INFORMATION
Dealers are to use the Dealer Comunication System (DCS) to provide Buick Motor Division with subsequent Buick owner information. By reporting a change of owner name or address of a vehicle in campaign status over the DCS, the need to send a CVAR form for that vehicle is eliminated. Terminal input instructions are covered in the DCS Manual under Section 9, Page 9-JOlA and B.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). To ensure these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a C.I.O. order, with NO special instruction code, but on an advise code (2).
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QUALITY/VEHICLE ----------- ----------- ---------------- 3521577 Pipe Assembly - Front Brake Left 1 1052535 Brake Fluid - DOT 3 As Required
TECHNICAL PROCEDURE
CAUTION:
Before disconnecting any hydraulic lines, hoses, or fittings, be sure that the accumulator is fully depressurized. Failure to depressurize the hydraulic accumulator may result in personal injury or damage to painted surfaces.
The following steps are to be used to replace the left front brake pipe assembly. Vehicle should be located over a hoist:
1. With the ignition off, depressurize the hydraulic accumulator by pumping the brake pedal a minimum of 25 times using a pedal force of approximately 50 lbs. When a definite increase in pedal effort is felt, stroke the pedal a few additional times. This should remove all hydraulic pressure from the system.
2. Raise hood and install left fender cover.
3. To provide access to the brake pipe, remove all electrical connections to the hydraulic brake unit.
4. Loosen the left front brake fitting at the hydraulic brake unit. The left front brake pipe assembly is the forward most pipe on the bottom of the brake hydraulic unit. (See Figure 1)
5. Remove the left front tire and wheel assembly and wheel covers, if so equipped. To provide adequate clearance, turn the front wheel to the left.
6. Loosen the left front brake line fitting at the hose end. (See Figure 2)
7. Remove the left front brake pipe assembly. The brake pipe is attached to a clip which is held in place at the engine compartment frame rail (See Figure 3). Remove the clip with the brake line assembly and attach it to the replacement brake pipe assembly (part number 3521577).
8. Route the new brake pipe assembly into position and finger tighten the fitting at the brake hydraulic unit. Verify that the left front brake pipe assembly is properly positioned before tightening.
9. Tighten the brake fitting at the left front wheel 15 N.m (11 lb. ft.).
10. Tighten the line at the brake hydraulic unit 12 N.m (9 lb. ft.).
11. Secure the left front brake pipe clip into the inner fender in the engine compartment.
12. Verify that brake lines do not contact the cruise control servo bracket or cruise cable. Verify that all brake pipes do not contact each other in the area of the brake hydraulic unit and cruise control servo bracket. Bend brake pipes away (rearward) from the left front pipe to maintain a minimum of 15 mm (.6 in.) clearance, if required.
13. Replace all electrical connections.
14. Bleed left front brake circuit. Follow proper bleeding procedure in Section 5E of the Service Manual.
15. Turn ignition on, check for leaks, and proper brake pedal "feel" and effort.
16. Replace left front tire and wheel assembly and wheel cover, if so equipped.
17. Install Campaign Identification Label and remove fender cover and close hood.
18. Verify that brake system is operating properly.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL INSTALLATION
Each label provides a space to include the CAMPAIGN NUMBER, the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service, and the date vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen. When installing label, clean the surface of the radiator support tie bar and apply the campaign label where it is readily visible.
DISPOSITION OF PARTS
Replaced parts must be held for disposition by Buick Zone or Branch contact personnel. Parts Must have a claim tag attached showing the repair order and the VIN of the vehicle from which they are removed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
FAILED OTHER SUBLET PART PART PARTS FAILURE LABOR LABOR LABOR DEALER OPER COUNT NUMBER ALLOW CODE OP NO HOURS HOURS MTL TWG ---- ----- ------ ------ ---- ----- ----- ----- ------- Replace Left Front Brake Pipe Assembly 1 3521577 ** 96 V5340 .9 .1 ***$2.86
* 0.1 hour administration. ** List current dealer price of parts, plus 30%. *** $2.86 represents the allowance for 1 pint of DOT 3 Brake Fluid, GM part number 1052535.
Dear Buick Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
REASON FOR RECALL
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1989 Buick Riviera and Reatta models equipped with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Involved vehicles may have been assembled with the left front brake pipe too close to the cruise control servo bracket. This condition could allow the left front brake line to contact the cruise control servo bracket. Over time, this contact could allow the brake line to wear through, causing a loss of braking capability. Part of the brake system will still work and allow the vehicle to be stopped, but over a greater distance. A partial loss of braking capability at a time when minimum stopping distance is required could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To prevent this condition from occurring, it will be necessary to replace the left front brake pipe with a newly designed pipe assembly on your vehicle. This service will be performed at no charge to you.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Buick dealer to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your Buick dealer. It is estimated that parts will be available approximately April 21, 1989. The labor time necessary to perform this service is approximately fifty-five (55) minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be necessary to process your vehicle.
Your Buick 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 he does not remedy this condition on that date or within five (5) days, we recommend that you contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center, Flint Home Office by calling 1-800-521-7300. The Customer Assistance Center will assist you and the dealer in getting your vehicle serviced.
If, after contacting your dealer and the Buick Customer Assistance Center, 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, DC 20590; or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 366-0123).
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.
BUICK MOTOR DIVISION General Motors Corporation Enclosure 89-C-6
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.
