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#1 speedyK

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Posted 17 June 2006 - 09:23 AM

In this morning's post was a letter from the Opel main agent who sold me my Speedster.

Translation of the main points:

As part of the continual quality improvement process the manufacturere has discovered that the standard rear alloy wheels can break during extreme vehicle manouvers. so that control of the vehicle is severely compromised. Therefore General Motors, Switzerland has instructed us to check, and if necessary replace, the alloys.

The work requires about one hour. Please telephone our Customer Service Department without delay to arrange an appointment as sooon as possible.

()

Please excuse the inconvenience of this workshop visit. This is a free procedure, yet vital for your continued enjoyment of your Opel.


Now, as the Speedsters and VX220s were all built on the same line, it stands to reason that this problem affects the VX too. Whether the VXT wheels are also at rissk is not apparent – I suspect it is only the N/A.

Summary:

Rear wheels are dodgy and may fail.

A broken rear wheel makes driving difficult!

GM will check and replace as necessary for free.


The question is, is it just one batch or is it a design fault that affects all the rear N/A rims. Don't think I'd be too happy having more of the same – and the fronts have to match what ever alternative the provide for the rear. So maybe VXT or VXR rims all round?


And when I think how I caned mine round Hockenheim... :o

#2 Thorney

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Posted 17 June 2006 - 09:28 AM

I've not seen the official inform from Vauxhall yet but yes, there is a general recall on certain build numbers. I'll post up the build numbers this effects (mainly early NA's) as soon as I get it.

#3 p4cks

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Posted 17 June 2006 - 10:50 AM

I've not seen the official inform from Vauxhall yet but yes, there is a general recall on certain build numbers. I'll post up the build numbers this effects (mainly early NA's) as soon as I get it.


Does this include NA's that are out of their warranty?

#4 2GOOD

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Posted 17 June 2006 - 12:11 PM

Does this include NA's that are out of their warranty?


A recall has nothing to do with warranty, it'll be more to do with when the car was built.

#5 MacGyver

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Posted 18 June 2006 - 05:16 PM

A picture says it all :D

Posted Image

control of the vehicle is severely compromised

You must be joking! :lol:

This makes me think of this joke: how do you call a three-legged donkey? ... a wonkey!

Edited by MacGyver, 18 June 2006 - 05:27 PM.


#6 covert ops

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 07:38 AM

A picture says it all :D

Posted Image

control of the vehicle is severely compromised

You must be joking! :lol:

This makes me think of this joke: how do you call a three-legged donkey? ... a wonkey!





:o :o :o

Shocking.

Andy

#7 siztenboots

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 08:34 AM

Three wheels on my wagon, And I’m still rolling along The Cherokees are chasing me Arrows fly, right on by But I’m singing a happy song

#8 rabidh

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 09:01 AM

Thats pretty worrying. Do you think the front wheels are just as weak, and only tend not to break because they're thinner? The previous owner managed to warp my front-left wheel, and I don't really want to be doing an unintentional reliant robin impersonation :S I'm sure if the wheel did go under cornering the insurance company would assume it broke in the crash rather than being the cause :(

#9 kmxgeeza

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 09:09 AM

so how can u find out the build numbers that are recalled and where is the build number on the car?

#10 RichH

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 09:39 AM

I've not seen the official inform from Vauxhall yet but yes, there is a general recall on certain build numbers. I'll post up the build numbers this effects (mainly early NA's) as soon as I get it.


Any news Thorney?

As an owner of #115 (December 2000) I'm pretty keen to get mine checked.

#11 Thorney

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 10:06 AM

Still awaiting confirmation. There is no need to panic.....there are a couple of failures in very extreme circumstances and until there is something official there's not much more I can say. However if there is a risk to safety then the risk of not doing something is silly so replacements will be sorted.

#12 RichH

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 10:11 AM

No problem. Keep us posted. thumbsup

#13 2kracing

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 10:21 AM

Maybe we can get VXR speedlines? :)

#14 i need nos

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Posted 19 June 2006 - 10:23 AM

maybe they have stopped making them :blink:

#15 fluffy

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Posted 30 June 2006 - 01:45 PM

Any news on this anyone? We had a look with a funny microscope tool that my dad owns over the weekend and my "early" n/a rears seem to be fine. But I'll take a replacement set if they are going!

#16 djegiant

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Posted 30 June 2006 - 01:54 PM

This is a bit of a serious one to leave hanging I think! :( I want new/free wheels! :P

#17 luna_s

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Posted 30 June 2006 - 02:07 PM

surely the hub carrier bolts (can fail in extreme circumstances) and vacuum tubing (is failing) engine mounts (very common) are more serious ? - for them to possibly recall for some wheels that can fail in extreme circumstances (which hasnt been reported here afaik) must mean somethings up ?

#18 barryc

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Posted 30 June 2006 - 02:25 PM

I remember when I went on the Palmersport day that all their N/A's had non STD rear alloys. One of the tutors mentioned an issue with the alloys failing in extreme conditions. That was back in November 2002.

#19 Ferguson

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Posted 30 June 2006 - 02:38 PM

surely the hub carrier bolts (can fail in extreme circumstances) and vacuum tubing (is failing) engine mounts (very common) are more serious ? - for them to possibly recall for some wheels that can fail in extreme circumstances (which hasnt been reported here afaik) must mean somethings up ?



The vacuum tubing is an official recall in Switzerland. Mine will be done next week out of warranty (4 hours labour).

#20 wil_scotland

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Posted 30 June 2006 - 02:41 PM

Is it possible for Thorney to look into this and give us the official line. Surely a car that comes out of the same factory cant have a recall in one country and not in another???




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