[rxlrider]

I have a 2003 Suburban with 60k miles. About 2 months ago, the rear window began making a whistling noise while driving. When I inspected it I found that the hinge was separating from the window. I have tried to go through GM with no avail. Their answer is "it shouldn't have happened", but they are not going to do anything about it.

This truck is the 2500 with the 8.1 engine, designed for towing. I regularly tow a 30ft travel trailer, and a 24 ft car hauler. I have been told that when towing a large trailer, there is a vacuum created that could be pulling the window back.

Has anyone else had this type of problem, and was it resolved?

[email protected]

Thanks,

Brad

 

[84fiero123]

RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

The glass hinge is loose. You mean you can’t tighten the screws up?

Not familiar with the 03. if it is a hinge screw take it to a glass replacement place, screw the dealer.

When I road water test at the factory we just tightened up the screws in the hinges.

But I may be wrong not knowing how this is attached.

To be sure the hinge is the culprit take a peace of paper, yes just regular paper like you print on. set it inside the window and close it. If the paper pulls out with little or no resistance you have found the problem, if not move the paper over a little and keep trying.

Yes trial and error to find exactly where the noise is coming from.

I can’t understand how a hinge could loosen up and not be adjustable unless it is one of the welded ones for a hatch. Is that what it is?

If the hinge is attached by screws or bolts it should be adjustable.

If it is welded then I am at a loss for why it would have loosened up.

I would tell you how we adjusted those but you won’t believe me. I also would not recommend that you fix it that way. To easy to brake the glass trying to fix it.

We would hit things with a rubber mallet, close the glass on the hammers wooden handle. Not something I would recommend for someone not familiar with the process.

 

[rxlrider]

RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

The '03 has the hinge attached to the glass with some sort of adhesive, which let go. I am going to keep on GM about this, but I JB welded it back to the glass last night.

Brad

 

[rxlrider]

RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Update -

The Area Service Manager Mr. Talmadge Mason (Phone number 800-823-0055 X 8140) called me finally. He is saying that he denied the claim due to the vehicles mileage (60K miles) and due to the fact that I am the second owner, even though I bought it from a Chevy dealer and it was a GM certified Vehicle.

GM's customer assistance hotline has told me that he denied the claim due to the fact that something had been lodged in between the glass and hatch, or that "wind" had caught the window and broke the hatch.

While I was speaking with him he "said" that he had only seen the hinge separate from the glass 3 previous times, which I found pretty strange since he is the Area Service Manager. He stated that one of the hinges had some material lodged in it, and the other had been caught by the wind. I asked how wind had caught the window and caused the hinge to hyperextend and break since the gas shocks would stop the window from blowing up. Quick as he was, he replied that the customer told him that he removed the gas shocks and then a gust of wind blew the glass up and broke the hinge. I asked if any of these 3 hinges were covered under warranty (he already told me all 3 were within the warranty period), he said that all 3 went through their insurance agencies. When I asked him why he was involved with this problem if it was an insurance claim, he told me that they all "tried" to have their warranty cover it, and he denied all 3. He said that he physically inspected all of them and personally determined that the customer was responsible. When I asked him if he inspected my vehicle, he told me that the service manager at my dealership had inspected it and relayed the information to him. He made the determination that I caused the damage without inspecting the vehicle!

When I asked him about all the other vehicles that have been repaired under warranty or under a "customer satisfaction" initiative, he told me that he was unaware of any other vehicles having this problem. I told him that I spoke with a tech (GM Tech) and he said that his dealership does about 2 of these per month. He again replied that he was unaware of any defect in the hinge/adhesive/glass, and that there were no service bulletins on it.

I had told him that I did not believe him, and that it was a little too convenient that he only has seen this 3 times, and all 3 were the customers fault. When I asked for the name of his immediate supervisor, he refused to give me the information. I asked him if he was concerned about me filing a complaint, and his only response was to refer me to the Customer Service Hotline.

Anyone have any advice on where to take this? Small claims court?

Brad

 

[84fiero123]

RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Like I said, go to a glass place that does Automotive glass, If the window isn't broken they can glue it. Save your time I bet it won't cost 20 bucks.

They are going to give you the run around for longer than it's worth to you.

 

[84fiero123]

RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Except you JB welded it. Now I'm not sure anyone can fix it without replacement of the glass.

 

[rxlrider]

Re: RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Except you JB welded it. Now I'm not sure anyone can fix it without replacement of the glass.

I spoke with 2 glass shops and neither wanted to toutch it because it was a known defect. They both said to replace the glass, si I figured "what the hell" JB weld works on engine blocks, why not this?

Just so you know what I am talking about, here is a picture of the hinge and glass.

Brad

 

[84fiero123]

RE: Re: RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Try checking on the recalls.

http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/...l-auto&kw=auto+recall&mktid=ov9934776

or here to.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

 

[rxlrider]

Re: RE: Re: RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Try checking on the recalls.

http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/...l-auto&kw=auto+recall&mktid=ov9934776

or here to.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

I already had GM go through the process and I had a GM tech check all TSB/Recalls. It appears that there have been alot of people who have had this problem. GM looks at each on a "case by case" basis and decides which ones they are going to fix under warranty or a customer satisfaction initative. The funny thing is that it is not a team of people, or a central location that decides which ones that they fix, it is the dealership, the Area Service Manager, and a representative from GM's customer service team that makes the decision. I am trying to put the word out to let other people know who have had this problem to file a report with GM, the BBB, and NHSTA to bring this to light and force GM to release a TSB or recall.

Brad

 

[84fiero123]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

Sorry to hear that, it just means your screwed as far as getting it covered.

How much for a new glass?

Also is this the first year for this type of attachment?

If it was then thats the problem, they, Auto manufacturers never get it right the first year.

Sorry I haven't been any more help, good luck with getting it covered, you are going to need it.

 

[84fiero123]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: 2003 Suburban DEFECT - rear glass hinge

On second thought.

It’s an 03 so you have to have full ins. coverage. Just come out some morning and find the glass broken. Problem solved.

 

[unplugged]

Same problem

I worked at a place that had a fleet of 2005 Ford Explorers that used a similar "glue mounting" for the gas strut. We ended up nicknaming them Ford "Exploders" because for no reason at all the mount would fail and the shock blew out the rear window.

Ford ended up recalling them with a new and improved mount, so maybe GM should do the same.