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NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA01013

Engineering Analysis · VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE · Opened 2001-05-22 · Closed 2002-12-15

Investigation

Action number
EA01013
Type
Engineering Analysis
Open date
2001-05-22
Close date
2002-12-15
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Affected makes
CHEVROLET
Affected components
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Affected model years
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
Affected (make, year) variants
4

Summary

ODI UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO CONDUCT A FULL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS, INCLUDING TESTING.THE TESTING AND ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT A TORN DIAPHRAGM IS A SLOW PROGRESSIVE TYPE OF FAILURE.THE TEAR PROPAGATES IN A SLOW METHODICAL MANNER AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS SIMILAR TO AN UNTORN UNIT UNTIL THE TEAR EXCEEDS 1/2 INCH.ODI'S TESTING INDICATES THAT TEARS GREATER THAN 1/2 INCH REQUIRED INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT.HOWEVER, AS THE LENGTH OF THE TEAR INCREASED BEYOND 1/2 INCH, A HISSING SOUND COULD BE HEARD EMITTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER PLUNGER PASSED THROUGH THE FIREWALL. ODI HAS DETERMINED THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.ODI'S COMPLETE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS WITH TEST DATA IS ATTACHED.

Source

Authoritative
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