How To I Get A Hold Of Gm Corporate?

MKWL · May 10, 2010

Well, I seem to be a victim of the NHTSA latest investigation into '99-'04 model GMC Sierra 2500HD's and Chevy 2500HD's with regard to premature brake line corrosion and line failure.

What I'd like to know is- how can I get a hold of my regional GM representative, or GM corporate... of SOMEBODY who is not over in India and has no clue about the issues I'm having with my truck???

I've dished out $750 to my GM dealer already and I still have more corroded brake lines!

Somebody help!

Kodiak450 · May 10, 2010

You have to watch out for the winter road salt, that will do a number on your lines. Above gas tank is an area where you cannot get to clean lines so they tend to rot from salt sticking to them. Wheel well area on DS has a breach where lines can be seen mounted on frame. This is another area where road salt can get in and rot lines. I like to use fluid film on entire under chasis before winter starts, this gives added protection from road salt. I also hose down truck after salt accumulation has build up. Also using some spray paint and hitting lines that you can get too, is not a bad idea either. Your line on frame on DS near bottom of engine probably is rusted, right? I replaced gas line last summer which was rotted badly, and used an oil base paint on all metal surfaces for added protection before install.

MKWL · May 10, 2010

Thanks for the info- but trust me, I wash my truck AT LEAST once each week in the winter (getting the underbody thoroughly rinsed each time), and after every plowing event. Unfortunately, the guy who had the truck before me for 4 Rochester, NY winters was apparently not as diligent with his winter washing, which is probably why the underbody on my truck looks kinda shabby.

This is a known issue on these trucks (there's a NHTSA investigation on them right now), it really bothers me that GM could use an inferior BRAKE LINE material for goodness sake- safety is no place to cut corners!

bbnate804 · May 11, 2010

Thanks for the info- but trust me, I wash my truck AT LEAST once each week in the winter (getting the underbody thoroughly rinsed each time), and after every plowing event. Unfortunately, the guy who had the truck before me for 4 Rochester, NY winters was apparently not as diligent with his winter washing, which is probably why the underbody on my truck looks kinda shabby.

This is a known issue on these trucks (there's a NHTSA investigation on them right now), it really bothers me that GM could use an inferior BRAKE LINE material for goodness sake- safety is no place to cut corners!

where did the brake lines on your truck fail? i'm curious as i'm running an identical rig. we don't get as much winter road salt here in delaware but the truck has spent quite a few weekends out on the beach. after reading your post i went out and crawled under the truck to look. the lines themselves all seem to be clean and free. i noticed some really light surface rust around some of the fittings but definately nothing that looks like rot. i do try and keep the underside hosed down. it doesn't say much for me but i've probaly power washed the underside more then the top side.

MKWL · May 11, 2010

The line running back from the ABS unit to the rear brakes blew out- apparently the worst one to have blow because it has to be snaked down through the frame rail... and there's really no good way to get a PW in there to rinse the salt off... faulty design I guess...

Kodiak450 · May 12, 2010

The line running back from the ABS unit to the rear brakes blew out- apparently the worst one to have blow because it has to be snaked down through the frame rail... and there's really no good way to get a PW in there to rinse the salt off... faulty design I guess...

Thats he line that runs with the fuel line, then goes up to top of gas tank.

I've had F250's and an F350, also had lines rot out due to rust. Unless the lines are stainless steel, they will eventially rot out over time (usually 7-9 years tops. I also spray lithium grease on lines I can access for more added protection as well. That grease will stay on any metal surface for sometime. Maybe get some of that spray in bed liner material and apply that to the lines for protection. My BMW has all stainless steel lines which came from the factory, some real nice high quality lines too! They will last forever. GM is currently using a different type of line currently, I've seen them on the Camaro SS, Traverse, Equinox, ect. Ford also uses same type of brake line on their vehicles now too. They are black, with a glossy finish on them. Not sure what the material is, or how well they stand up over time. From multiple decades of snow plowing, I can tell you first hand that parts on my previous plow trucks that I've always replaced due to rot were..Brake lines, manifolds, and some exhausts. Seeing GM uses stainless steel exhaust, this is no longer an issue. Also the rotors that are on your truck, I know they are not the best material and have rot issues over time. I replaced the rotors on my 2500HD last Summer with EBC slotted rotors. After a season of snow plowing, they still look awesome and no surface rust in between them like the stock rims that came with my truck. Those rotors GM use are not just limited to trucks. I've seen them all rusted out on the SUV's as well. Whether they still use them currently, I'm not sure, but I am sure that they were used on 07-08 SUV's as a relative of mine has a SUV thats not that old which she bought new from a GM dealer.

Like I mentioned before, you especially want to apply grease to the lines near bottom of DS front wheel. You'll be able to see them through the wheel well on frame. Also not sure what kind of plow that was used on your truck, but you definately should check to make sure that your plastic splash guard is still on the truck under the engine. With older plows and certain brands, their mounts don't accomodate having the splash guard on after install. I had transferred a Meyer plow off my F250 onto this 2500HD at first and had to remove splash guard cause it would not fit back on after mount was on. During that time frame ( 2 seasons of plowing) I noticed that salt along with water was splashed up under engine and could see exactly where it made it's way there after salt water dried. Manifolds had to be replaced cause of rot, which is not uncommon to me over the years. After buying a new Western snow plow, the Western mount did not interfer with having to keep splash gaurd off, and was able to put guard back on and noticed how well that splash guard works. It stops 90% of water and salt being splashed up, thus preventing manifolds getting salt on them and rotting. Unless you are able to get your truck on a lift to wash the under chasis and get the salt off, it is extremely hard to simply take a regular garden hose and spray off the salt which always is caked on pretty good. A pressure washer works wonders in these type of scenerios for getting the caked on salt off with ease. Only problem with pressure washers in winter is, when finished with them, you have to bring them in doors so reamining water in pump doesn't freeze and cause pump to crack. This is why I use lots of lithiun grease on vital parts during winter.