Customer Satisfaction 99072 - Primed Steel Wheels Not Top Coated

Some 1999 Chevrolet and GMC C/K 3/4 and 1 ton pickups built at the Arlington assembly plant have steel wheels with a black prime coat of paint but no finish coat of paint. These wheels will initially appear black, however, the wheels will begin to "chalk" within the first three years of use.

To correct this condition, dealers are to paint the wheels with a finish coat of argent silver.

Involved are certain 1999 Chevrolet and GMC C/K 3/4 and 1 ton pickups equipped with steel wheels and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" prior to ordering requirements. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

* -- Dealers should paint wheel to match WA6248, Argent Silver, using approved paint and processes from a manufacturer approved to GM4901M.

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
2. Identify the wheel and tire location for all wheels and tires, including the spare. These locations are required for reinstallation.
3. Remove all wheel and tire assemblies, including the spare.
4. Wash all the wheels with soap and water.

Important: Identifying the location and the size of the balance weights is essential so that balancing of the assemblies is not required.

5. Identify the location and size of all the wheel balance weights mounted on the outboard face of each of the wheel and tire assemblies. These locations are required for reinstallation.
6. Break down the outboard bead of all of the tires and remove the valve stems.
7. Wipe down all the wheels with wax and grease remover.

Caution: Sanding dust, solvents, and paints are potential health hazards. Make sure to wear an approved mask or respirator that is appropriate for the task being performed.

8. Scuff sand the outboard face of all of the wheels with 400 grit sandpaper or red 3M Scotch Brite pad.
9. Blow all the wheels off with compressed air and wipe down with wax and grease remover.
10. Mask off all of the tires.
11. Wipe down all of the wheels with a tack cloth.

Important: Refer to the 1999 GM Approved Refinish Materials Booklet, GM 40901M-D-99 for specific material recommendations and refer to your paint manufacturer for specific application information.

12. Apply a non-sanding primer/sealer to the outboard face of all of the wheels.
13. Apply color coat, Argent Silver (WA6248) to the outboard face of all of the wheels.
14. Remove the masking from all of the tires.
15. Clean any over-spray, dirt or foreign material from the tire mounting surfaces (bead area) of all of the wheels.
16. Install the valve stems, P/N 9593595.
17. Seat the tire beads on all of the wheels and inflate the tires to the correct pressure.
18. Using the noted locations in Step 5, install new balance weights of the correct size on all of the wheel and tire assemblies.
19. Install the wheel and tire assemblies at the vehicle locations identified in Step 2. Install the wheel lug nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel nuts to 190 N·m (140 lb ft).

20. Install the wheel trim.
21. Install the spare wheel and tire assembly.
22. Lower the vehicle.
23. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label". Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by calling 1-888-414-6322 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below.

Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

Dear Chevrolet/GMC Customer:

This notice is sent to inform you of a customer recall campaign that includes your vehicle.

Some 1999 Chevrolet and GMC C/K 3/4 and 1 ton pickups built at the Arlington assembly plant have steel wheels with a black prime coat of paint but no finish coat of paint. These wheels will initially appear black, however, the wheels will begin to "chalk" within the first three years of use.

To correct this condition, your dealer will paint the wheels with a finish coat of argent silver. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

Please contact your Chevrolet/GMC dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and to assure parts availability. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.

If you experience any trouble scheduling your vehicle or you have any questions regarding this recall action, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the number listed below:

The attached customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Chevrolet/Pontiac-GMC Division

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure