When driving at 20 MPH consumer noticed a problem with front end of vehicle. Consumer pulled vehicle into a parking lot when front left hand side of the vehicle dropped completely down on tire, causing loss of steering control. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who determined that it was due to torsion bar which broke. Also, manufacturer has changed design of the torsion bar which required consumer to replace both right and left hand sides. Please provide any further details.
1995 Chevrolet Astro suspension complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 75, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tried to order a new replacement part, gmc only offers a new redesigned set, must purchase a part, plus the new style hangers. For $460.00. Gm wouldn't re-design a complete new style torsion bar with out many prior problems!
When this bar breaks it does cause the vehicle to drop on the frame. It shocks the driver and becomes momentarily difficult to steer. If this would have happened at high speeds or in slippery conditions it would have been a real problem. I contacted another dealer in this area to price the parts he commented " you mean the torsion bars that always break" . With that comment just from one dealer I would definetly say gm has a major problem with this part on this vehicle.
Vehicle had been parked. Noticed front end was slumped over. Left side was on the wheelwell. Took vehicle to automobile repair shop & had it placed on the rack. Informed by mechanic that front suspension torsion bar was cracked. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs.
While driving at approximately 40 MPH torsion bar broke, causing driver's side front end to drop on top of tire, consumer was unable to turn steering wheel. Dealer claimed it was normal for torsion bar to break. *ak driver had two previous failure of idler arms. Also had wheel rotor failure.
Was driving home & heard a loud bang. Steering wheel tilted to left. Did not have a lot of control of vehicle. Vehicle taken to service station where mechanic indicated that tie rod end had snapped. Manufacturer had redesigned tie rod end and replaced it. *ak the problem continued and both left and right torsion bars were found to be the cause.
Consumer has experienced several problems with vehicle, right rear blinker and parking brake bulb failed. Back hatch would not open, door was locked and would not open, dealer found latch rod retainers worn out. Alternator failed. Serpentine belt failed. Air conditioner quit blowing. Rear end was roaring, dealer replaced rear differential. Oil pressure would go to zero, dealer replaced indicator. Vehicle experienced missing, dealer replaced spark plub and distributor cap, when the engine cover was removed, dealer found the plug wires shorting to the cylinder head, dealer replaced all plug wires. Vehicle would turn, but would not start, dealer found fuel pump shorted out, dealer replaced fuel pump system. Oil leaking at pinion area, dealer replaced front differential and pinion seal. Rear axle was replaced due to rear axle seal leaking. While driving, lights on dash started blinking, all indicator needles and gauges were jumping back and forth, smoke came out of the vents, consumer tried to stop vehicle, but brakes and steering failed, vehicle finally rolled to a stop, sliding door would not open, finally driver and daughter got out through front doors, fire and smoke came from under the hood, consumer's daughter has experienced chest pains due to this, consumer has to pay for the rest of the loan even though vehicle was a total loss. Consumer feels this fire occurred due to the many electrical problems the vehicle experienced, she is requesting reimbursement, dealer would not help her.
Torsion bar broke causing $1,100.00 repair bill and inability to steer properly. Mechanic stated it is a known problem with 95 astro and showed part and why it has been a problem in northern climates. Had identical vehicle in for same repair with similar mileage. Claims chevy knows and change subsequent design for later vehicles. Chevy was not responsive and referred me to the federal safety agency. Any information would be appreciated. If it is a problem in the snow belt states, shouldn't there be a recall? Thanks!
I don't feel a torsion bar should fail sitting in my garage, the wrecker driver said it was the third one he had hauled in the last two weeks I am glad no one was driving it when it broke the mechanic said ther would be no way to steer it when it was broke.
Both torsion bars snapped while van was parked causing front end to drop. This could have caused a serious accident if the vehicle was moving.
Front torsion bar snapped, causing front of the vehicle to collapse. Dealer has repaired vehicle.
Consumer stepped on on the running board and torsion bar popped. Vehicle was towed to private repair shop. Manufacturer was contacted & told conusmer that the problem was common & they were changing the design.
Consumer has had multiple problems with vehicle. Brakes have been replaced 4 times & the dealer couldn't remedy the situation or give an explanation as to why. Also, windshield wipers didn't work when it was raining, and vehicle would shake at 50mph.
Front torsion bar broke on one side, causing a loss of suspension on front driver's side.
While truck was parked both front torsion bar snapped. These parts were inspected by chevrolet and said found nothing wrong.had this happened while I was driving there could have been a major accident with possible fatalities. This is not a normal condition for a 1" thick piece of steel to just snap. These must have been either rusted away or a design problem.
Vehicle shimmies/vibrates whenever coming to a stop. Dealer notified.
Vehicle torsion bar broke due to corrosion, causing vehicle to lean to the left front side on the driver side.
The failed front suspension component was a torsion bar. This failure could easily cause the vehicle operator to loose control of the vehicle if the failure occured during vehicle operation. This failure has been recognized by the auto manufacturer as a design defect because the torsion bar design has been changed requiring replacement of both front torsion bars (left and right) and bar adjusters. The manufacturers design change has been identified to all product dealers on a product newsletter called "partec news letter-p/n #99102.
Torsion bar broke causing vehicle to collapse and damage other components. Mjs
Two 1995 astro minivans owned by the fire dept. Have had (7) failures of the torsion bar components between the (2) vehicles, when failure occurs vehicle drops down onto front wheel. Mjs
Torsion bar had snapped without warning on the front suspension, it broke off. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Informed parts hard to come by due to high demand of torsion bar. Will order & notified owner when torsion bars will be available. Owner not satisfied.
Left front torsion bar broken without warning, which could have caused loss of vehicle control.
Front torsion bar snapped, causing the front driver side to fall which could have caused a crash. The torsion bar had hairline cracks. Please provide further information.
Possible design flaw of the front torsion bar, resulted in breakage on the passenger and driver's side causing vehicle front axle to collapse.
The torsion bars fail and the van body drops on to the front wheel of the effected side.
Front torsion bar broke, causing front end to fall down. This could have caused loss of vehicle control and crash. Dealer has a newly designed torsion bar and a installation pack. Please provide further information.
Torsion bar broke when traveling at 20 MPH with one person (driver) in vehicle. Parts will take 2 days because dealer has seen many torsion bar failures this week. Another 1995 astro had this same problem at my place of employment just 2 hours after me.
Both of the front torsion bars broke while driving at 45 MPH down hill. Dealer has been contacted.
Torsion bar snapped on straight stretch of highway while traveling at 45 MPH with 1 adult driver and 3 adult passengers on board. At the time of failure, a sound like a tire blowing and an immediate sag on the driver's front side occurred. The vehicle could not be turned due to the tire contacting the wheel well. If this had occurred at 65 MPH and on a curve, disastrous results would most likely have happened. No previous damage to the torsion bar could be detected by the repair facility. The repairs made required replacement of both torsion bars because the original equipment part is no longer distributed for use. An improved version is now used, which requires the additional cost and installation of a conversion mount and the replacement of both torsion bars. The required repairs cost approximately $700.00. Since the oem parts are no longer available, it leads one to believe that there have been numerous failures of the torsion bars for this type vehicle and the manufacturer is aware of the problem.
Consumer was pulling out of driveway, when noticed a dragging sound underneath vehicle, learned later it was the front torsion bar that was broken, repairman informed consumer that the bar was defective because of the way it was broken. Dealer/manufacturer notified. Also parts are available for inspection if needed.
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