2001 CHEVROLET S10 Suspension Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT USING BOTH HANDS. WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, HE INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION AND NOTICED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE BUSHINGS HAD BEEN REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN TIMES. HE NOTIFIED FABTECH, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

NO SPECIAL EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. LOWER BALL JOINTS DETERIORATED BEYOND USE AT 40000 MILES RESULTING IN SOME TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO MISALIGNMENT. DEALER RESPONSE WAS "NORMAL WEAR ITEM* , NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THESE FACTORY BALL JOINTS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH GREASE FITTINGS, THUS CANNOT BE LUBRICATED. BALL JOINTS REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PRODUCT. PIECES OF ORIGINAL BALL JOINTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ANY EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. *NM

Mileage: 41,000

IN MAY OF 2004 MY IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. I STARTED TO NOTICE EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN WEAR ON MY FRONT TIRES BY OCTOBER 2004. AROUND THANKSGIVING I WAS DRIVING UP MY STREET, AND LOST CONTROL OF MY TRUCK AS I DROVE AROUND A CURVE AND ALMOST HIT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DID NOT CRASH, BUT I HAD THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE IDLER ARM REPLACED AGAIN, AND THEN NEW TIRES PUT ON THE TRUCK. OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END, AND UNEVEN WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES AGAIN. THE STEERING IS LOOSE, AND AROUND CURVES IT SEEMS TO SLIP, AND I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM ABOUT TO LOOSE CONTROL. *JB

Mileage: 89,000

DURING 41,000 MILE SERVICE, FRONT SHOCKS WERE LEAKING, REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 40,975

CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEAL. THEN, PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND THE WHEEL COULD BE MOVED APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH WHICH WAS NOT NORMAL PERFORMANCE. CONSUMER REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING BY HIMSELF BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZARD. TAPER BEARING RETAINER WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. DEALER REFUSED TO DO 15,000 AND 30,000 BEARING REPACK. BOTH WHEELS WERE IN SAME CONDITION. *BF *NM

Mileage: 37,571

WITHIN 12 MONTHS GM GENUINE BALLJOINTS (LOWER) ON OUR 2001 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP TRUCK FAILED WITHIN 12 MONTHS, POSSIBLY SOONER IF IT WERE'NT FOR THE STATE REQUIRED MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS POINTING IT OUT AGAIN. IMAGINE THAT THEY PROBABLY FAILED WAY BEFORE THE INSPECTION. IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPIERENCED THIS PART FAILURE WITH THE CHEVROLET, S10.*AK

Mileage: 62,344

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE TOO LOOSE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 37,000

2004 TAIL GATE ASS FAILED REPLACED AFTER MARKET PARTS 2004 BACK UP LIGHTS IN/OP;004 INTERRIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF/ OVER RIDE BOTTON USED TO SAVE BATTERY2005 LEFT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED. 004 RIGHT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED;005 FRONT END REPLACED/PITTMAN/TIE RODS;2004 OIL FILTER LEAK / TIGHTENED 2004 REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES IN/OP 5 LEFT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED;005 RIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED 2005 GAS SENDING UNIT REPLACED ERADIC BEHAVIOR 2004 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED ;004 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED;005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT 2005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 U JOINTS REPLACED;04 BATTERY REPLACED 2005 TRANSMISSION SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR;005 REAR END {3.42} LOCKER CLANGS BETWEEN 1ST AND REVVED. 004 4 TIRES 005 4 TIRES 2004 DOOR HINGES FREEZE UP LUBE;005 TAIL GATE HINGES SHOW WEAR 2005 PARTS 4 EA TIE RODS/O/RING TYPE BRAKE SHOESAND DRUMS/U JOINTS. I HAVE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Mileage: 92,000

2004 TAIL GATE ASS FAILED REPLACED AFTER MARKET PARTS 2004 BACK UP LIGHTS IN/OP;004 INTERRIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF/ OVER RIDE BOTTON USED TO SAVE BATTERY2005 LEFT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED. 004 RIGHT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED;005 FRONT END REPLACED/PITTMAN/TIE RODS;2004 OIL FILTER LEAK / TIGHTENED 2004 REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES IN/OP 5 LEFT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED;005 RIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED 2005 GAS SENDING UNIT REPLACED ERADIC BEHAVIOR 2004 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED ;004 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED;005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT 2005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 U JOINTS REPLACED;04 BATTERY REPLACED 2005 TRANSMISSION SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR;005 REAR END {3.42} LOCKER CLANGS BETWEEN 1ST AND REVVED. 004 4 TIRES 005 4 TIRES 2004 DOOR HINGES FREEZE UP LUBE;005 TAIL GATE HINGES SHOW WEAR 2005 PARTS 4 EA TIE RODS/O/RING TYPE BRAKE SHOESAND DRUMS/U JOINTS. I HAVE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Mileage: 92,000

2004 TAIL GATE ASS FAILED REPLACED AFTER MARKET PARTS 2004 BACK UP LIGHTS IN/OP;004 INTERRIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF/ OVER RIDE BOTTON USED TO SAVE BATTERY2005 LEFT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED. 004 RIGHT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED;005 FRONT END REPLACED/PITTMAN/TIE RODS;2004 OIL FILTER LEAK / TIGHTENED 2004 REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES IN/OP 5 LEFT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED;005 RIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED 2005 GAS SENDING UNIT REPLACED ERADIC BEHAVIOR 2004 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED ;004 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED;005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT 2005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 U JOINTS REPLACED;04 BATTERY REPLACED 2005 TRANSMISSION SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR;005 REAR END {3.42} LOCKER CLANGS BETWEEN 1ST AND REVVED. 004 4 TIRES 005 4 TIRES 2004 DOOR HINGES FREEZE UP LUBE;005 TAIL GATE HINGES SHOW WEAR 2005 PARTS 4 EA TIE RODS/O/RING TYPE BRAKE SHOESAND DRUMS/U JOINTS. I HAVE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Mileage: 92,000

2004 TAIL GATE ASS FAILED REPLACED AFTER MARKET PARTS 2004 BACK UP LIGHTS IN/OP;004 INTERRIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF/ OVER RIDE BOTTON USED TO SAVE BATTERY2005 LEFT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED. 004 RIGHT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED;005 FRONT END REPLACED/PITTMAN/TIE RODS;2004 OIL FILTER LEAK / TIGHTENED 2004 REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES IN/OP 5 LEFT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED;005 RIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED 2005 GAS SENDING UNIT REPLACED ERADIC BEHAVIOR 2004 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED ;004 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED;005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT 2005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 U JOINTS REPLACED;04 BATTERY REPLACED 2005 TRANSMISSION SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR;005 REAR END {3.42} LOCKER CLANGS BETWEEN 1ST AND REVVED. 004 4 TIRES 005 4 TIRES 2004 DOOR HINGES FREEZE UP LUBE;005 TAIL GATE HINGES SHOW WEAR 2005 PARTS 4 EA TIE RODS/O/RING TYPE BRAKE SHOESAND DRUMS/U JOINTS. I HAVE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Mileage: 92,000

2004 TAIL GATE ASS FAILED REPLACED AFTER MARKET PARTS 2004 BACK UP LIGHTS IN/OP;004 INTERRIOR LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF/ OVER RIDE BOTTON USED TO SAVE BATTERY2005 LEFT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED. 004 RIGHT FRONT HUB ASS REPLACED;005 FRONT END REPLACED/PITTMAN/TIE RODS;2004 OIL FILTER LEAK / TIGHTENED 2004 REAR EMERGENCY BRAKES IN/OP 5 LEFT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED;005 RIGHT EMERGENCY BRAKE DRUM REPLACED 2005 GAS SENDING UNIT REPLACED ERADIC BEHAVIOR 2004 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED ;004 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED;005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED FRONT 2005 LEFT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 RIGHT BRAKE SHOE REPLACED REAR;005 U JOINTS REPLACED;04 BATTERY REPLACED 2005 TRANSMISSION SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR;005 REAR END {3.42} LOCKER CLANGS BETWEEN 1ST AND REVVED. 004 4 TIRES 005 4 TIRES 2004 DOOR HINGES FREEZE UP LUBE;005 TAIL GATE HINGES SHOW WEAR 2005 PARTS 4 EA TIE RODS/O/RING TYPE BRAKE SHOESAND DRUMS/U JOINTS. I HAVE FOR INSPECTION.*AK

Mileage: 92,000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 3 YEARS AND 32000 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 31,950

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED, THE STABILIZER BAR RUBBED THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED A RUB ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STABILIZER BAR WHICH WAS MOST ON THE LEFT SIDE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE STABILIZER BAR WAS SHOVED AN INCH OUT OF IT'S BRACKET. THERE WAS A HARD LEFT PULL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE TRUCK WAS LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND THE CONSUMER POINTED OUT THE RUB MARKS ON THE STABILIZER BAR AND ALSO SHOWED HOW THE BAR HAD BEEN SHOVED OUT OF IT'S HOLDING BRACKET. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN FLAW BY SHOWING THE CONSUMER ANOTHER VEHICLE (SAME MAKE/MODEL) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 48,000

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY, WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A PANIC STOP, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, ALSO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY, THE MANUFACTURER/ DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL. PH *JB

VEHICLE IS ONE INCH LOWER ON DRIVER SIDE. VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH FUEL TANK ON DRIVER SIDE, AND IS PRIMARILY OCCUPIED BY JUST THE DRIVER AND AS SUCH, WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL, THERE IS APPROXIMATEY 450 LBS. EXTRA ON THIS SIDE OF THE TRUCK. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I AND OTHERS BEGAN TO NOTICE THE PRONOUNCED LEAN IN THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. I AM NOT SURE, BUT THIS CONDITION MAY BE A SAFTEY PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT ADDRESSED. VEHICLE SPRING RATES SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LOADING DIFFERENCES OF DRIVER AND FUEL. THANKS, JACK S.R.COPP. NLM

STEERING ALIGNMENT CONSTANTLY NEEDS ADJUSTMENT. ALIGNMENTS PROVE FUTILE. STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO RIGHT DURING ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS.

EVERY THREE THOUSAND MILES THE VEHICLE BURNS 2 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, FRONT END MAKES POPPING NOISE, SENSOR CHANGED LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION SLIPS. NLM *YD

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, AND HITTING A BUMP VEHICLE WILL VEER TO LEFT OR RIGHT. HARD TO CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO LINED UP FRONT END AND ADJUSTED GEAR BOX, DID NOT REMEDY SITUATION. *AK BEFORE REPAIR WAS DONE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RIGID, BUT AFTER THE SERVICE IT BECAME VERY LOOSE. *YH

THERE IS TERRIBLE VIBRATION IN ALL 4 TIRES, AND DEALER HAS ALSO FIXED A LEAK IN FIREWALL/ AIR VENT SYSTEM, AND AND REAR WINDOW. *AK