Premature Front Brake Pad Wear 2010-2011 Ford Transit

Bulletin BPI 12-05 Subject: Premature Front Pad Wear. Vehicles Involved: 2010-2011 Ford Transit Connect built on or before 4/29/2011. Condition: Customers may complain about front pads wearing faster than normal. There was a friction change to correct this problem. Vehicles with Advance Trac System will have to go to a dealer to update the calibration to account for this change. Repair Procedure: Determine if the vehicle is equipped with Advance Trac stability control system. Turn the key to the on position and look for the Traction light on the instrument cluster (Fig.1) Is the vehicle equipped with Traction control system? a. yes – vehicle is equipped with traction control go to step 3 b. no – vehicle is not equipped with traction control go to step 4 Take to a Ford dealer and have the traction control system reprogrammed to account for the friction material change. (This will be covered under the 3 year 36,000 warranty) Reference Ford TSB number 11-7-14 Replace pads with a ceramic friction part number PGD970C

Front Suspension Creaking Noise

Bulletin RCB 12-04 Subject: Front Suspension Creaking Noise Vehicles Involved: 2006-09 Volkswagen Passat, Passat Wagon 2005-09 Volkswagen Jetta A5, 2009 Jetta SportWagen 2006-09 Volkswagen Rabbit, GTI, R32 2007-09 Volkswagen Eos 2009 Volkswagen CC Repair Procedure: Vehicles listed above may exhibit a creaking noise originating in the front suspension while entering steep driveways or over large bumps. The source of this noise could be the forward inner control arm bushing. To confirm if this is the issue, raise the vehicle and remove the wheel on the suspected side. Disconnect the lower control arm at the ball joint and move the arm up and down, checking for noise at the forward bushing.

Trailer wiring caution - TSB

Bulletin BPI 12-04 Subject: Trailer wiring caution Vehicles Involved: 2008-11 Buick Enclave, 2009-11 Chevrolet Traverse, 2007-11 GMC Acadia, 2007-11 Saturn Outlook Condition: Installing trailer wiring on a vehicle not equipped with a Towing Package Repair Procedure: GM cautions that when preparing for trailer towing on Acadias, Enclaves, Outlooks, and Traverses not to splice in trailer light wiring into the factory wiring harness. On these vehicles the circuits for stop lamps/turn signals, tail lights and the lighting grounds are controlled through the Body Control Module (BCM). Model year 2007-11 vehicles not equipped with a Towing Package must be modified by installing a new Underhood Bussed Electrical Center (UBEC) cataloged for vehicles with a Towing Package. Check with the GM dealer for the appropriate part number. Order the UBEC for the vehicle with the same options as equipped plus trailer towing package option V92. Model year 2007 vehicles must also modify the backup light circuit after installation of the new UBEC. Start by disconnecting Connector X7 from the BCM. Remove the terminal for Pin 3 from the connector; the wire color is dark blue. Reconnect the Connector X7 to the BCM. Cut the terminal off of the dark blue wire and strip the end. Splice this wire into the light green wire, pin 2, of the 24-pin Connector X6 on the BCM.

Brake caliper bracket identification Chevy Trailblazer

Subject: Brake caliper bracket identification

Vehicles Involved: 2002-2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2002-2005 GMC Envoy,
2004-2005 Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Bravada, Isuzu Ascender

Condition: Caliper bracket

Repair Procedure: There are two calipers listed for the above platforms, FRC11237 and FRC11237A.

Both calipers are physically the same except that the bracket is different.

The change to the bracket was made to accommodate the larger rotor diameter.

Caliper FRC11237 will fit most platforms with the long wheel base or with extended cab.

The bracket of the FRC11237 can be easily identified with a protruding tab as compared to the FRC11237A where the tab is even with the bracket.

One other detail is the distance between the mounting holes and the slider pin, the distance of FRC11237 is 3 inches as compared to the dimensions of the bracket supplied with FRC11237A, the distance is 3.250".

TSB Bulletin BPI 12-03

Subaru Front suspension rattle

Subject: Front suspension rattle

Vehicles Involved: 2006-2008 Subaru Tribeca, 2009-2011 Forester, 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008 - 2011 WRX, 2008-2011 STI

Condition: Severe rattle from front end when traveling over bumps or rough roads.

Repair Procedure: Inspect front end for any loose or worn steering or suspension parts. Inspect stabilizer bar clamps and clamp bolts for damage.  When replacing suspensions with rubber/urethane bushings you should tighten with the full weight of the vehicle at normal ride height.  It is important to have the springs supporting the full weight of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued.  If springs are not at their normal ride height position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected and premature bushing wear may occur. Replace if required, with new revised Subaru bushing illustrated below.

Bulletin RCB 12-03

Squeaking master cylinder

Bulletin BPI 12-02

Subject: Squeaking master cylinder

Vehicle Involved: 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X

Condition: Some owners may complain of a squeaking noise when applying or releasing the brake pedal.

Repair Procedure: According to Saab the problem is contaminated brake fluid. The contaminated fluid may swell the master cylinders piston seals. To diagnose have and assistant raise the hood and place ear near the brake master cylinder.  Apply and release the brake pedal slowly and listen for the squeak.  If present, flush the complete brake system and refill with fresh DOT3 brake fluid. Apply the brake pedal numerous times slowly while listening for a squeak. If the squeak is still present replace the brake master cylinder.

Camber changes dramatically when replacing front suspension components causing increased alignment time.

Subject:
Camber gauge Part Number 711-1039 use when replacing parts

Vehicle Involved: All Vehicles

Condition: Camber changes dramatically when replacing front suspension components causing increased alignment time.

Repair Procedure: When suspension parts need replacement such as a strut or strut bearing, camber is affected greatly. The use of a magnetic camber gauge will save time and make the alignment procedure easier. This tool does NOT take the place of the actual alignment machine.

Example: a vehicle needs a front strut bearing plate due to a noise issue. With the vehicle up on a frame rack and the tire off, install the magnetic camber gauge on the secured rotor and turn the adjusting knob till the bubble aligns with the zero mark. Remove the gauge without touching the knob and place it on the bench.

After replacing the bearing plate, reattach the gauge and move the strut until the bubble aligns with the zero mark. This will get the camber adjustment close to the original setting. The wheel alignment angles should now be checked to verify all four wheels are within specs. This tool may also be used when installing camber bolts if a "jack and hold" is not available on your alignment machine.

Example: You determine the car needs one degree positive camber correction. Support the vehicle and remove the tire. Install the camber gauge on the rotor and adjust the bubble to zero. Remove the OE bolt and replace it with an adjustable cam bolt. Now, turn the cam bolt until the gauge shows one degree positive. Tighten the bolts, and replace the wheel. Re-compensate and verify all four wheels are within specs. The camber gauge is listed in the Alignment products Manual under tools.

 

No. RCB 11-12

2002-2006 Trailblazer, Envoy XL, XUV 4WD with air ride suspension

Subject: Rear suspension with air ride

Vehicle Involved: 2002-2006 Trailblazer, Envoy XL, XUV 4WD with air ride suspension

Condition: Air bags deflate in a short period of time.

Repair Procedure: Replace air suspension system with Coil Spring part number 589-1136

Air leaks are a common problem on these vehicles, especially as the vehicle gets older.

Air leaks can occur from a kinked, pinched or damaged air line or a defective Schrader valve.

The leak may be due to the age of the air bags themselves. The possibility of air leakage is greater if the air bags are worn or cracked. Air bag issues can also be caused by a malfunctioning compressor or a defective module. Special gauges are required to perform diagnostics outlined by the manufacturer.

The diagnostics, parts, and labor to replace compressor, air bags, or module can be quite expensive.

There is an economical alternative solution to this problem, and that is to convert the air ride to a coil spring suspension. This can be done by Unhooking and removing the air bag system and installing a coil spring in its place. The springs come packaged two to a box.

TSB No. RCB 11-09

Noise from left front wheel, and ABS light on

Subject: Noise from left front wheel, and ABS light on

Vehicles Involved: Ford Escape 2009, Mercury Mariner 2009

Condition: A clicking or rubbing noise from the left front wheel, and the ABS light may be on.

Repair: The ABS wheel speed sensor may be making contact with the reluctor wheel. This is caused by a defective knuckle, which miss-aligns the sensor and reluctor.

Remove the wheel and measure the air gap between the sensor and reluctor. If the air gap is less than .020 in. or inspection indicates the sensor has been making contact with the reluctor, the steering knuckle must be replaced. The installation of a new design knuckle from Ford should correct this problem.

TSB No. BPI 11-07

Noise from front suspension

Vehicle Involved: Saturn SKY 2007

Repair Procedure: Noise from the front suspension system occurs most likely while the vehicle is being driven over small bumps, or on rough road surfaces. The noise is more noticeable in cold weather, and is caused by faulty sway bar bushings rubbing against the bar or clamps.

Replace the sway bar bushings and install new design clamps, to correct the problem. Test drive the vehicle to verify the repair is complete.

TSB No. RCB 11-06

Grabby or touchy Brakes when applied and/or MIL light on.

Vehicles Involved: Cadillac, Escalade 2009; Chevrolet, Silverado, Tahoe 2009; GMC, Yukon, Sierra 2009

Condition: Vehicles equipped with two-mode Hybrid System may experience grabbing brakes or a touchy brake pedal when the brakes are applied. The ABS light may come on and a DTC C012E may be set in the EBCM.

Repair: The EBCM must be reprogrammed with the latest calibration available. Re-flashing the control module should correct the problem.

TSB No. BPI 11-06

TSB 2009 Caravan/Town and Country Squeak at Low Speed Maneuvers and Over Bumps

Subject: Squeak at Low Speed Maneuvers and Over Bumps

Vehicle Involved: 2009 Caravan/Town and Country. This bulletin applies to vehicles built before February 9, 2009

Condition: Some sway bars may be rubbing against the heat shield during low speed maneuvers and over bumps.

Repair Procedure: This bulletin involves removing, modifying and re-installing the power steering gear heat shield.

Inspect the heat shield to sway bar clearance, if there is rubbing between the sway bar and the heat shield, perform the repair procedure.

1. Raise the vehicle
2. Remove the power steering gear heat shield.
3. Remove the two bolts and clips that retain the heat shield to the vehicle.
4. Cut the heat shield along the line indicated in (Fig. 1).
5. Install the power steering gear heat shield. When installing the push pins replace them with new pins
6. Lower the vehicle

TSB 1987-2002 Dodge Dakota/ Durango Front caliper housing bolt

Condition: Caliper housing bolt damaged when servicing front brakes

Repair: When servicing the brakes and replacing the front brake pads some techs have complained that the hex head of the housing bolt because of its size M9-1.25 is easily stripped or damaged when they re-install the caliper.

The fix is to install an alternative housing bolt with a M10-1.25 hex head.

The bigger hex will be stronger and will facilitate installation without any issues.

The Raybestos part number for the M10-1.25 housing bolt is H5015W.

2005 Honda CR-V vibration on sharp turns

Customer complained about a noise and or shuttering when turning into a tight parking spot. The shudder is there everytime but only on sharp turns at slow speeds. The CR-V only has 52,000 miles on it.

SHop:
test drove and could duplicate the exact issue as described by the customer. Pulled into shop and put up on rack for further inspection. The vibration is in fact coming from the rear differential. With the engine off and holding one tire still and turning the other tire slowly you can reproduce the vibration and watch the rear differential jump around.

All research points to changing the differential fluid and Making certain to use Honda Dual Pump Fluid Only! According to the operaters manual the differential fluid is due to be changed at 60,000 miles. Unit holds 1.3 qts of fluid.

FIX:
Drained and replaced fluid with Honda Dual Pump Fluid II, that I got at my local auto parts store, and test Drove. Problem solved.

Heater Blower Motor doesn't work in my 2007 Chevy Silverado

GM TRUCK Inoperative blower motor.

The blower motor on some 2007 - 2008 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra extended cab and crew cab models built before 4/1/08 may fail to operate. If the fuse is good and the circuit up to the motor has power, says GM, the motor has probably failed. Water intrusion is the likely villain. Installing an upgraded blower motor with a new-design moisture shield (Part No. 25973845) should prevent further trouble.

2007 Toyota Prius Window will not work after Battery Change

2007 Toyota Prius TSB #PG0003-06 If the battery terminal has been disconnected, the “one-touch open and close” and “jam protection” functions of the driver’s door power window will be inoperative due to loss of the driver’s door power window position memory stored in the microcomputer. Initialization of the driver’s door power window will be necessary after the battery is reconnected. NOTE: Any time the battery terminal has been disconnected, the power window MUST be re-initialized. Initialization Procedure 1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. At this time, the power window switch for the driver’s door window should be blinking. 2. Push down and hold the driver’s door power window switch to completely open the window. 3. Pull and hold up the driver’s door power window switch until the window closes. Continue holding the switch for approximately one second until the switch changes from blinking to a constant illumination. 4. Check for proper operation of the “one-touch open and close” by fully pushing the switch “DOWN” once and fully pulling the switch “UP” once. NOTE: Jam protection function becomes effective through the above initialization procedure.

2006 Chevy Silverado - Rattle in steering column

Question:

I have a 2006 Chevy Silverado and I have a ratling noise in the steering column. It only has 13,000 miles on it.You do not have to hit a bump to get it to rattle. It has not been wrecked. What could this be?

ANSWER:

There is a TSB on this that refers to the steering shaft as the cause of the problem. There is a new design that needs to be installed and should be covered under your warranty.

TSB #000235003N -- CLUNKING NOISE UNDER HOOD AND CAN BE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL AND/OR STEERING COLUMN (REPLACE UPPER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT [I-SHAFT] ASSEMBLY). *PE (NHTSA ID #10025148, APRIL 01 2008)