GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

CAMPAIGN: REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET BOLTS MAY FAIL

DEFECT INVOLVED GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS USED ON CERTAIN 1984 (BUICK/OLDSMOBILE) "X" SERIES MODELS MAY FRACTURE. FRACTURE OF ALL FOUR BOLTS ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CAN RESULT IN THE CONTROL ARM DROPPING ENOUGH TO CUT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. A CUT BRAKE HOSE WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL BRAKE SYSTEM, PART OF THE SYSTEM WILL REMAIN FUNCTIONAL ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO BE STOPPED, BUT OVER A GREATER DISTANCE. SHOULD A PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY OCCUR AT A TIME WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. BEGINNING UP TO MODEL ASSEMBLY PLANT VIN AND INCLUDING BUICK "X" WILLOW RUN (W) EW437069 EW443426 OLDSMOBILE "X" WILLOW RUN (W) EW315861 EW418794 PARTS INFORMATION THE BOLTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE ORDERED FROM WDDGM. TO ENSURE THIS PART WILL BE OBTAINED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, IT SHOULD BE ORDERED FROM WDDGM ON A C.I.O. ORDER WITH NO SPECIAL INSTRUCTION CODE, BUT ORDER ON AN ADVISE CODE (2). DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER QUANTITY REAR CONTROL ARM BOLT 10014025 8 PER VEHICLE SERVICE PROCEDURE PART I - REPLACEMENT OF REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET ATTACHING BOLTS REMOVAL 1. RAISE VEHICLE. 2. SUPPORT REAR AXLE UNDER FRONT SIDE OF SPRING SEAT. 3.A. REMOVE TWO (2) DIAGONAL BOLTS (I.E. UPPER L.H. AND LOWR R.H.) FROM THE ATTACHING BRACKET OF ONE SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM. THIS WILL ENABLE BRACKET TO REMAIN IN PROPER MOUNTING POSITION. INSTALL TWO (2) NEW BOLTS AT THESE LOCATIONS. TORQUE BOLTS TO 38 N.M (28 LB. FT.). 3.B. REPEAT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF TWO (2) REMAINING DIAGONAL BRACKET BOLTS FOR THE CONTROL ARM. 4. REPEAT STEP 3 PROCEDURE FOR OPPOSITE SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BRACKET BOLTS. ****NOTE**** IF A STRIPPED ANCHOR NUT IS ENCOUNTERED REVIEW N000555.

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.