This happened on a Sunday afternoon leaving a place I have in Canada. I was on a two-lane (Hwy-17) heading east into Sault Ste. Marie while driving 60-65 mph with an enclosed snowmobile trailer hauling a couple dirt bikes and various items. I was using the right lane when suddenly the steering wheel pulled hard to the left. I knew I either had a blow-out or something structural happened when the truck dropped, pulled hard to the left and smoke filled the cab. I was lucky no one was in the left lane at the time or God forbid a two-lane and veered into on coming traffic!
Luckily no one was hurt and no major damage besides a roughed up rim and blown tire. The truck was flat bedded to a repair shop in the "Soo" upon recommendation of the OPP Officers who assisted. The owner of the repair shop "Auto Works" was kind enough to get me back on the road the next day. I want to note that he stated that he has repaired many of the same issues of the failed control arms! One he said only had 22k km! So this certainly is not an isolated case.
I called the GM dealer locally after getting home and was told that after 36k miles the bumper to bumper warranty is over. The control arm is not covered! The truck had 36,700 at the time. Wow! You pay close to $60k for a truck that leaves you stranded with potential catastrophic consequences with such low miles. It's a cheap aluminum suspension part. You can buy the OEM part from Amazon for $165! The problem I have is the rim / tire and perhaps other stressed components from that failed control arm. Not to mention the danger. They are not suitable for any kind of longevity. If there is no recall yet there soon will be! What has to happen first??
Currently, I am concerned to drive it until the other passenger side control arm is replaced. Also, if it's the same as what the truck came with from the factory I will look into a beefier aftermarket control arm for both sides!
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This happened on a Sunday afternoon leaving a place I have in Canada. I was on a two-lane (Hwy-17) heading east into Sault Ste. Marie while driving 60-65 mph with an enclosed snowmobile trailer hauling a couple dirt bikes and various items. I was using the right lane when suddenly the steering wheel pulled hard to the left. I knew I either had a blow-out or something structural happened when the truck dropped, pulled hard to the left and smoke filled the cab. I was lucky no one was in the left lane at the time or God forbid a two-lane and veered into on coming traffic!
Luckily no one was hurt and no major damage besides a roughed up rim and blown tire. The truck was flat bedded to a repair shop in the "Soo" upon recommendation of the OPP Officers who assisted. The owner of the repair shop "Auto Works" was kind enough to get me back on the road the next day. I want to note that he stated that he has repaired many of the same issues of the failed control arms! One he said only had 22k km! So this certainly is not an isolated case.
I called the GM dealer locally after getting home and was told that after 36k miles the bumper to bumper warranty is over. The control arm is not covered! The truck had 36,700 at the time. Wow! You pay close to $60k for a truck that leaves you stranded with potential catastrophic consequences with such low miles. It's a cheap aluminum suspension part. You can buy the OEM part from Amazon for $165! The problem I have is the rim / tire and perhaps other stressed components from that failed control arm. Not to mention the danger. They are not suitable for any kind of longevity. If there is no recall yet there soon will be! What has to happen first??
Currently, I am concerned to drive it until the other passenger side control arm is replaced. Also, if it's the same as what the truck came with from the factory I will look into a beefier aftermarket control arm for both sides!
- David K., Empire, US