no help from chevrolet

[walter godek]

I have a 2006 with 38,000 miles recently I had a noise in the front it sounded like my belt squeaking it turned out to be my harmonic balancer it was ready to come off even though it was out of warranty I tried
Chevrolet because I felt it was a safety issue if it had come off while driving they denied me , before my car left the garage they noticed a noise in the back the bolts to my torque drive were loose and the bearing were gone for a car with less than 40k this shouldn't happen Chevrolet doesn't care I think even though it was out of warranty they should at least help out with the harmonic balancer if anyone has had any of these problems I would like to know

 

[Toms007]

Walter, first off I would like to welcome you to CAC. WE have a fair number of well versed people here to help you out. I know that you are not the only person to have experienced this issue. It is a well documented issue.

 

[catbert]

First I've heard of it in a 2006. A loose crank bolt was a known issue in a run of over a thousand 2005s. Chevy acknowledged the issue, but refused to recall the cars known to be within the run of known problems. Their response was something like - if it fails and tears up the front of the engine, we'll fix it. Hundreds failed, including my car, which happened to fail in Bowling Green at a Corvette Action Center Cruise Fest. I was stranded in beautiful BG for a week.

Based only on the fact that GM stonewalled the known 2005 issue, I'd say you have an uphill battle. The Feds won't help if it's an isolated problem, and doesn't affect a number of cars. The repair is not a joke either. The rack has to be dropped before there is any access to the repair site.

Good luck.

 

[vett boy]

If I'm not mistaken the rear axle nut was a recall .

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Not quite sure why a balancer falling off would be a safety issue and I'm not sure that expecting a company to cover something that's several years past the end of warranty is reasonable.

 

[Toms007]

First I've heard of it in a 2006. A loose crank bolt was a known issue in a run of over a thousand 2005s. Chevy acknowledged the issue, but refused to recall the cars known to be within the run of known problems. Their response was something like - if it fails and tears up the front of the engine, we'll fix it. Hundreds failed, including my car, which happened to fail in Bowling Green at a Corvette Action Center Cruise Fest. I was stranded in beautiful BG for a week.

Based only on the fact that GM stonewalled the known 2005 issue, I'd say you have an uphill battle. The Feds won't help if it's an isolated problem, and doesn't affect a number of cars. The repair is not a joke either. The rack has to be dropped before there is any access to the repair site.

Good luck.

OK, I knew that there was a problem, I didn't know that it was limited to those cars. IIRC we were there when that happened, Rich.

 

[Tuna]

May years ago (1999), we had a problem with our 1996 LT4 Vette. We were the third owner of the car and it was just over 3 years old and out of warranty but it had less than 4000 miles on it. When my wife contacted Chevrolet Customer Service, we didn't get any help from them and they (more than one person) said "We're sorry but we are unable to meet your expectations at this time." The phrase really irked my wife. While the car was being repaired, we took a road trip to BG and the NCM. While there we got a chance to chat with a Corvette engineer (can't remember the name at the moment) and explained the issue with our car. He asked us for all the paperwork we had on the problem and indicated that he would see if Chevrolet could help. While our Vette was out of warranty based on age, the low mileage seemed to stick with him.

Anyway, after he got all the paperwork we sent him, he arranged for Chevrolet to cover 90% of the repair cost.

Customer Service was following rules as presented to them at the time and did and said what they were instructed to say according to the legal department. Our car was out of warranty and they were under no obligation to pay for the repair.

The engineer felt differently and must have convinced someone else up the chain of command to give us a hand. Thanks.

 

[walter godek]

Not quite sure why a balancer falling off would be a safety issue and I'm not sure that expecting a company to cover something that's several years past the end of warranty is reasonable.

Actually if the harmonic damper feel off it would have gone through the front of the car most likely totaling the car and a possible accident I think that is a safety issue , when I had my 99 the front spring let go it too was out of warranty and because it was a safety issue they reimbursed me for the repairs so even if something is out of warranty they might still honor the problem

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Actually if the harmonic damper feel off it would have gone through the front of the car most likely totaling the car and a possible accident I think that is a safety issue , when I had my 99 the front spring let go it too was out of warranty and because it was a safety issue they reimbursed me for the repairs so even if something is out of warranty they might still honor the problem

Could have, might have, but didn't.

If every possible defect a car might have over it's life span is thought of in terms of worst possible case and that the manufacturer is always liable, they may as well shut their doors now and stop making cars. Keep in mind that the cost of recalls gets passed along to the future buyers of new cars.

Recalls are already out of control.

 

[walter godek]

Could have, might have, but didn't.

If every possible defect a car might have over it's life span is thought of in terms of worst possible case and that the manufacturer is always liable, they may as well shut their doors now and stop making cars. Keep in mind that the cost of recalls gets passed along to the future buyers of new cars.

Recalls are already out of control.

according to my Chevrolet dealership it was ready to come off and if recalls are so expensive then they should have better quality control before putting cars out in the open market we buy cars expecting them to be safe youi must have stock in GM

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Recalls are for safety related issues, not reliability, durability or cost of operation issues.

Big difference.

 

[walter godek]

Recalls are for safety related issues, not reliability, durability or cost of operation issues.

Big difference.

I don't know what your issue is you think you know everything I feel it is a safety issue maybe you don't but
I do ok get a life

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Best course of action is trying again to convince GM that it's 'safety', not strangers on the internet.

 

[GS Diva]

Hi Walter. First of all, welcome to the Corvette Action Center. Secondly, I'm sure you remember me...Elaine Kemp. Not sure what Corvette, or Corvettes, I had when we were both heavily in the show scene here in New England.

I'm sorry that you are having an issue with GM. Chevrolet's Customer Service does seem to be saying what they are supposed to say. Maybe you need to befriend someone with some authority at a dealership, or elsewhere, to get some action. Nevertheless, the warranty is over. This is one reason why I have purchased extended warranties for both of our Corvettes. They are sophisticated machines, and anything can happen at any time.

Elaine

 

[walter godek]

Hi Walter. First of all, welcome to the Corvette Action Center. Secondly, I'm sure you remember me...Elaine Kemp. Not sure what Corvette, or Corvettes, I had when we were both heavily in the show scene here in New England.

I'm sorry that you are having an issue with GM. Chevrolet's Customer Service does seem to be saying what they are supposed to say. Maybe you need to befriend someone with some authority at a dealership, or elsewhere, to get some action. Nevertheless, the warranty is over. This is one reason why I have purchased extended warranties for both of our Corvettes. They are sophisticated machines, and anything can happen at any time.

Elaine

Hi Elaine nice to hear from you the harmonic balancer I'm screwed on but the loose bolts on the torgue shaft was a recall I'm working on that the extended warranty doesn't cover all defects and has limitations anyway I paid for it the car runs great hoping to re-coop some of my expenses are you still at Mikes?

 

[GS Diva]

Hi Elaine nice to hear from you the harmonic balancer I'm screwed on but the loose bolts on the torgue shaft was a recall I'm working on that the extended warranty doesn't cover all defects and has limitations anyway I paid for it the car runs great hoping to re-coop some of my expenses are you still at Mikes?

I've had two 2005 6-spd convertibles...supposedly more prone to glitches because they were first year models of the C6 generation. Luckily, I've had no issues whatsoever with either of them. Good luck and let us know how you progress with GM.

Yes, I'm still at Corvette Mike's...more than 8 years now! Still part-time although part-time is sometimes 6 days a week!! :L Are you affiliated with any local club? Stop by sometime!

Elaine

 

[walter godek]

I've had two 2005 6-spd convertibles...supposedly more prone to glitches because they were first year models of the C6 generation. Luckily, I've had no issues whatsoever with either of them. Good luck and let us know how you progress with GM.

Yes, I'm still at Corvette Mike's...more than 8 years now! Still part-time although part-time is sometimes 6 days a week!! :L Are you affiliated with any local club? Stop by sometime!

Elaine

Hi Elaine I will keep you posted no I'm not in a club I do have a few friends with vettes that we get together with I like it better that way actually you might know of them he 's from Plymouth bought his 99 conv. from Mike his name is Bob Wood we went for a ride to the western part of the state for foliage my wife and I enjoy the car yes my wife we got married this summer thank you for being concerned . Wally

 

[Hib Halverson]

I've been reading the back and forth on this thread.

An "air bag" with a corroded retainer ring is a safety item. A defective brake part is a safety item. Ign. switches that turn off with no action by the driver are safety items.

In the OP's opinion, what makes a harmonic damper a safety related part?

 

[walter godek]

Best course of action is trying again to convince GM that it's 'safety', not strangers on the internet.

I have been talking to Chevrolet I went on the forum to see if any others had this problem and the 05, 06 and 07 it has been a problem

 

[Midnight 99]

When the outer ring separates from the hub at 70 miles an hour, comes through the hood and through the windshield, that's a safety issue. When the outer ring separates from the hub goes under the car bounces on the highway and goes through the windshield of the car behind you and kills the driver or passenger, that's a safety issue! When the outer ring does separate at speed it does not just fall down on the ground and lay still.