Tony Cote
Southam Newspapers

GENERAL Motors has
agreed to two rust-
related recalls that will
capture thousands of
cars and vans sold in
Eastern Canada
between 1989 and
1999,

The cost is unknown but
could casily climb into the
millions.

The most expensive recall
involves rusting engine cradles on cars from
the 1990-93 model vears that were originally
sold in the Atlantic provinces. They could be
anywhere in Canada today.

Madels_ involved are the Chevrolet
Lumina, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Regal
and Pontiac Grand Prix.

The cars were originally sold in Nova
Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island
and New Brunswick.

High levels of salt and moisture in’ those
provinces are believed tu be a major factor in
the rusting.

According to Transport Canada, corrosion
can cause the engine cradle mounts to fail.

If both front or both rear mounts fail, the
cradles can drop, causing the stecring shaft to

_ Separate.

Under terms of the recall, General Motors
has advised dealers that the affected cars are
to be examined and reinforcement plates arc
to be installed on cradles that are repairable.
Other cradles will be replaced.

'. If the cost of replacement exceeds the
value of the vehicle, the cars will be bought
‘and scrapped.
-- The cost of replacing the cradles is in the
$1,000 range.

The’ second recall involves thousands of
vans, trucks and sport-utilities with spare tires
that can fall off and pose hazards to other dri-

” Vers: ;

It follows Wheels reports in February and
March on the problem caused by corrosion to
assemblies that hold the wheels under the
vehicles. -~

The vehicles involved are the 1989-1992
Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari; 1989-1995

oo THE BMW xs 4. 4 sport-utility vehicle is a model that could /

experience ‘Meering difficulties.

Chevrolet C/K and GMC
Sierra pickups; 1995
Chevrolet, Tahoe and GMC
Yukon (four-door versions
only); and the 1990-1999
Chevrolet Lumina, Pontiac
Trans Sport and Oldsmobile
Sithouette.

The trucks and vans were
originally sold in
Newfoundland, Prince
Edward Island, Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick, Quebee and
a portion of Ontario (presum-

Friday, June 9, 2000 ~ North Shore News -

COTATI NATE ARENT AT IOS

asked to take their cars into a dealer to fix a
problem with the brake lights.

Cracks in the housing ofa switch capacitor
could fead to a short circuit, causing the
lights to stay on or stay off.

The switch will be replaced with an
improved version.

gog

Mazda is recalling about 3,500 1999-2000
626s beeause ofa defect in the master evlinder
installed in the cars.

Transport Canada says the reservoir tank
cap may not have ventilation holes.

Asa result, the pressure in the reservoir tank

29

will drop gradually as the brake pad or shoe
wears and ambient temperature drops, and the

brakes may become less effective.
Brake reservoir tank caps will be inspected
for proper vent holes and replaced if necessary.
— Ottawa Citisen

Recall notices are mailed to owners of affeet-
ed models whe ave registered with the manufac
turer, and may take several weeks to arrive, if
you believe your vehicle may be subjece wo a recall
but do not reevive a notice, contact a dealer who
sells your make of vehicle. Manufacture rs pay al
costs for repairs.

ably Eastern Ontar.o). “gain,
these vehicles could be any-
where today.

Transport Canada says the spare tire hoist
cable may corrode and eventually break in
areas of high salt use.

This would allow the tires and wheel to fall
from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a road
hazard for other vehicles.

General Motors has agreed to send letters
to registered owners of the affected vehicles
eurining the maintenance and inspection
procedure to ensure the mechanism is work-
ing properly.

Owners will be encouraged to perform the
inspection as soon as possible.

[f, during the procedure, the cable or
assembly breaks, General Motors has: agreed
to repair it.

This recall and policy will be in effect until
Dee. 31, 2002.

The problem isn’t restricted to General
Motors. DaimlerChrysler is in court over the
issue and, Transport Canada hopes, this
agreement may lead to similar agreements
with other automakers.

It is recalls such as these, involving older
cars, that make it imperative that second,
third or fourth buyers of cars register with the
vehicle manufacturer.

General Motors, like all carmakers, notifies
the last known owner of the vehicle. Others
may be out of luck.

Spokesmen for General Motors couldn’t
be reached for comment on either recall.

Qg00

Owners of a wide range of 2000 BMW
models will soon be receiving recall notices
because of problems with stecring and brake
lights.

The X5 4.4 sport-utility. vehicle is the
model .that could
experience steering
difficulties,

The problem is due
to a small plastic col-
lar that may not have
. been installed prop-

‘erly on a steering -
-/ rack shatt. :
The misapplied collar
means there is. too
much __¢learance
between parts, which
leads to Jack of steer-

ing control,
Mechanics will
inspect the assembly
and install the parts
in the proper loca-
tion.
Owners of the 323i, Also Mechanical Division.

328i, 528i, S528iT, ff Repairs io all makes of Cars and
540i, 540iT, M5, gf © Light Trucks (Foreign & Domestic).
740i,, 740iL, and { TAYLORMOTIVE SERVICE LTD,
750iL are being 176 Pembertos Ave., Korth ¥an

NEWS phote Julle Iversen

; JOHN Porter, seen at left with friend Chuck Forsyth,
welded together this unusual “Duick” from pieces of a
1928/29 Buick and a 1980 Dodge found in back yards.
The car is wired with 110 volts to run a keyboard, and -
for the recent Lynn Valley parade also carried two. .
trumpet players, wo sax players anda drummer. — -

COLLISION SPECIAL STS

The ¥ - For Foreign & |
Che Home rhe Bitetime “Bomesiic cars, 4X4‘ Sy

FOR AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR SUV's + Ligh? Trucks. .

NORVH SHORE’S HIGHEST

VOLUME ALL MAKE CENTR

WITH STAVE OF THE -
ART EQUIPMENT:

Accredited stony Repairs

PRIVATE & INSURANCE REPAIRS. °
’ FULLY. GUARANTEED °
¢ Free Estimatcs

Alternative trensportation arranged.

 FALKING | vw ESTIMATES +
7 3 CONSULTATION
985-7455

. photo SMW

you can lease a “Mercedes C230

Mercedes-Benz

NorTH VANCOUVER
_ Retail Division .
SALES ¢ LEASING © PARTS © SERVICE
- 4375 Marine Drive
N. Vanceuver ° 984-9351 ;
SALES HOURS: 8:30PM MONDAY TO THURSDAY » 8:30-6PM FRIDAY * 10TO SPM SATURDAY
.  PARTS/SERVICE: 7:30-5PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY * NOW OPEN SATURDAY O1PM

$399 per month based on a 2000 C230 Classic, 6.1% lease rate, 33 month walkaway lease with $5, 500 down or equivatent trade,
_Sotional buyback $25,495.25. 18, .pookmyeas a allowance 5 (206 ‘km oven Taxes, license, reign and PDI extra.O.AC. | -