The torsion bar snapped without warning. Jb
1996 Chevrolet Astro suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 60, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer sat in the driveway, the left side torsion bar snapped. The front left side of the vehicle was sitting on the left front tire. The part was only available through the dealer. By coincidence the right side was sent as well and was sold by the pair. The parts were redesigned and a new but different bracket was included. Gm forced the repair of both sides at the expense of the consumer. *jb
Vehicle was backing out of driveway, when a loud noise proceeded the front driver side of the van collapsing onto the front tire. The chevrolet dealer informed me that the torsion bar had failed, and as the part had been redesigned, the passenger side would also be replaced. I requested the parts be returned, and after visually inspecting, it is very apparent that the part failed due to severe rust and corrosion. The original installation of the torsion bar has a retaining sleeve that fits over the failed end of the torsion bar, and connects into the crossmember. The sleeve is designed in such a way that it collects moisture. This in turn causes approximately 6 inches of the torsion bar to corrode, degrading the integrity of the unit. With over 25 years of experience as a mechanic in the aviation field, I am very familiar with corrosion and metal fatique. The new design of the replacement parts, eliminates the sleeve entirely, and there is no moisture collection points. Chevrolet is aware there is a problem, but as long as the consumer is paying the bill, why publicly admit it? With the repair cost and aggravation set aside, the real issue related to this failure is safety. My family had been on the highway just a few minutes before the torsion bar failed. When the front end collapses, the steering capability of the vehicle is close to non existant. This is a safety issue!!! The safety aspect affects the passengers in the vehicle, other motorists, and pedestrians. I also noticed from the numerous complaints on this web site, that several of the failures occurred while the vehicle was parked. This is even a safety issue to anyone around the vehicle, including children and mechanics who might be near or under the vehicle when the failures occur. In my opinion, chevrolet has no intention of initiating a recall on their own. Unfortunately, with the number of failures occuring on vehicles that are only a few years old, the majority of failures are yet to come.
The owner made an attempt to step into the van when the torsion bar snapped. This caused the van to collapse in the front, to the ground with no warning. Nlm
Consumer was in the garage, when there was a loud noise. The left front end had collasped. The vehicle was towed to a local garage, and they said that the torsion had broken.
While driving the consumer heard a popping noise. When the vehicle was pulled over, and the front end dropped a few inches. Dealer determined that torsion bar had broken. *ak the consumer stated that this wasn't the first time this problem happened, in re: 1988 astro van. Scc
While driving 25-30 MPH driver's front side of vehicle dropped onto wheel well vehicle was towed to dealer, front torsion bar had broken.
Consumer states after the torson bar failed, the front tire rubbed against frame of vehicle.*ak
While driving at 65mph on the highway and going over an overpass 2 torison bars broke causing the front end to fall which almost resulted in an accident. *ak
While the vehicle was parked the right and left side torsion bars broke within the retainer and caused the vehicle to drop. Dealer has been notified at this time. *ak
The left torsion bar on the front suspension failed while the van was sitting in the driveway. Champion chevrolet in howell, mi said this is common. They also intsructed me to replace the right torsion bar because it could fail at any time. My complaint is chevrolet is suggesting (which I did) replace an original part that is not broken. Gm had an updated part# because they new this is a common failure. I think if a dealer is suggesting you replace a part that is not broken and says it is for your safety, then that should be a warranty item replacement.
While vehicle was parked and had gotten out of the front end and fell to the ground due to the torsion bar breaking. Dealer contacted. *ak
Front torsion bar snapped while consumer was pulling out of parking lot. Contacted dealer. *ak
Left front torsion bar failed and vehicle's front end dropped approximately 6 inches. I was told that there was a design change that required both left and front torsion bars to be replaced. Additionally, when the van collapsed, an engine oil line was damaged. Total cost: $891.47. Design change indicates that engineering was aware of the problem and designed a more robust torsion bar. This is a critical safety issue, and yet I was told that the vehicle is out of warranty. It is not reasonable to expect this type of failure, no matter how old the vehicle. One would not reasonably expect the frame of a 10 year old vehicle to collapse. Likewise, one would not expect failure of torsion bars that support the vehicle. I was lucky that the vehicle was parked when the incident happened. If moving, total loss of control would have been the result.
Torsion bar broke and front suspension dropped about 5 inches while driving vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated there was no recall. Dealer told consumer to call the federal safety agency.
While driving, left drivers side torsion bar broke, causing front end to drop about 4 inches, consumer contacted dealer, and the dealer insisted that consumer had to replace both bars.*ak
While in park in the driveway and the front end dropped to the ground, with a very loud crashing sound. The torsion bar broke.
When I backed my van up to leave for work , the front driver side was sitting on the tire & it was making a rubbing sound. We had to get it towed & even though only one torsion bar was broke the replace both. The total bill was $560. I am just thankful it didn't happen 2 weeks sooner when I was on a trip on the interstate going 70 MPH, with my sister & our children with us. I have noticed that there have been no more complaints after the 1996"s. I will assume that chevy replaced the part finally. I count 80 complaints on your website, involving 92's through 96's. How many more are out there that have not been reported? I think chevy knew it had a bad part, & they should pay for repairs.
During normal operation of vehicle, it sounds as if an explosion occurs in the front end of vehicle. This has occurred four times, and dealership replaced both front brake calipers twice. Also, found a short in the fuel pump. Has not examined vehicle for the last incident. *ak consumer states brake pedal is very soft and sometimes goes to the floor, the calipers break and cause a loud noise, consumer states braking power has been lost on three occasions. Vehicle stalled on one occasion. Consumer no longer drives this vehicle. Left side door lock inoperative, dealer replaced the actuator. Right side upper control arm bolts loose causing noise, left rear leaf spring u bolt mispositioned hitting axle tube, causing knocking noise.
After driving on highway parked vehicle in driveway, and found out that front of vehicle was lower, and tires down on wheels. Next day, towed vehicle to dealer, who replaced torsion bar spring. Please provide more information.*ak about a half hour after the vehicle had been driven, the consumer was startled by a loud bang, after veiwing the van the consumer noticed that the front end was about 9 inches lower and the vehicle was not driveable. Nlm
While driving front torsion bar broke, and front end of vehicle dropped down. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated nothing could be done. *ak consumer states the torion bar has been redesigned on new vehicles.
While driving at 30 MPH torsion bar snapped which caused whole front left wheel to collapse. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer refused to provide any assistance. Please provide any further details.
While consumer was travleing at 30 MPH torsion bar snapped. Body frame of the vehicle collapsed on the left front wheel. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything.*ak dealer covered 50 percent of replacement costs, consumer has old parts for review.
Vehicle was parked, and consumer heard a loud noise. Vehicle tilted to passenger's side and frame rested on wheel. Towed to dealer; had to replace both front torsion bars. No prior warning.
Front torsion bar broke, causing front end of vehicle to drop down to ground. Dealership was aware of it.
Consumer attempted to start vehicle and left front torsion bar broke, causing vehicle to drop. Different dealership informed consumer that these parts were kept in stock because this was a problem with this make/model of vehicle. Consumer had to replace both front torsion bars.
As consumer was pulling out of driveway, he heard driver side tire rubbing on the wheel well, consumer drove vehicle back into the garage and upon inspecting the suspension, he found that the torsion bar on the driver side of the vehcile had sheared in half, consumer contacted manufacture and was advised that they would not assist with repairs because vehicle was out of warranty.
Abs light is on, and when brakes are applied stopping distance is not normal. Dealer has been contacted.*ak consumer has had numerous repairs on vehicle, differential was overhauled, windshield wipers work intermittenly, fule injection system was repaired, ignition switch cylinder was replaced, as well as alternator, the entire ABS system has been rebuilt, consumer states rattle sound from front of engine drivebelt was replaced as well as tensioner, also fule/air filter was replaced. Automatic transmission was replaced. Front and rear shocks were replaced.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Both front torsion bars broke wihtin only 70416 miles.
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