GM trucks’ rusting brake lines investigated by NHTSA
I found the article below at "Newz For Me."
Late last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened investigations into roughly 6.2 million General Motors fullsize trucks for issues related to rusted brake lines.
The investigations will focus on brake lines fitted to nearly 6 million 1999-2003 Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, and Avalanche models, along with their GMC equivalents, the 1999-2003 Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL. Likewise, a separate inquiry, targeting 189,000 Silverado and Sierra HDs built in 2003, also pertains to brake line corrosion.
According to the agency, corroded brake lines could possibly burst during application, possibly triggering a sudden loss in braking strength, increased pedal travel, and increased stopping distances. The NHTSA says it has received 107 owner complaints for this issue from owners of the light-duty trucks above, and only three from owners of the 2003 Silverado/ Sierra 2500 HD. In 37 instances, the brake line failure was confirmed by a dealer inspection.
Although both investigations are but days old (they were opened on March 30 and 29, respectively), GM says it knows of the investigation, and is working with NHTSA to address the issue.
"We are aware of it and we are cooperating," spokesman Alan Adler told the Detroit News.
Source: NHTSA; Detroit News
Check your brake tubing for corrosion - and while you are at it, check your brake hoses too. Some people recommend replacing brake hoses every six years - that may be a bit of an over-kill but I check mine every year once my car is six years old just to be safe.
As for corrosion, Motion & Flow Control Products, Inc. sells stainless steel brake and clutch tubing that does not corrode. It is used by some European manufacturers as original equipment on their vehicles.
Posted by Marek Bobik
