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General Motors Company and the National Highway Traffic System Administration have announced multiple safety recalls due to steering problems in GMC trucks. Sierra pickups with model years of 2003-2006 may experience difficulty steering due to a range of manufacturing defects. If not repaired, any of these steering problems could lead to a crash.

Power Steering Hose Defect

On October 4, 2005, General Motors recalled 123,592 vehicles including certain 2005-2006 model year Sierra pickup trucks for problems with the power steering hose. A manufacturing defect may cause the hose to break and leak fluid if the steering wheel is turned extremely to the left or right while braking.

Steering Connector Bolt Defect

On January 20, 2005, General Motors recalled certain 2005 model year GMC Sierra trucks to replace the bolt connecting the steering gear to the steering shaft. If not repaired, the defective bolt may break and cause a loss of steering.

Hydraulic Brake System Defects

In January 2004 and February 2005, General Motors recalled certain 2003-2005 Sierra pickups for manufacturing issues that could result in steering problems. A defect in the hydro-boost relief valve in 2003-2004 GMC Sierra trucks may cause the driver to have to use excessive force to steer and/or brake. A potentially problematic hydro-boost assembly in 2004-2005 GMC Sierra trucks may cause an hydraulic fuel leak, which may lead the driver to experience steering and brake problems.

A fuel-injected engine uses many different sensors to determine how to make your engine run properly. The 1987 and newer GM trucks use one or more oxygen sensors located along the exhaust. Theyre not difficult to replace, but they can take some elbow grease and some basic safety equipment to do properly.

Instructions

Lift the Truck

1

First, make sure the vehicle is turned off, has cooled down for a few hours and the emergency brake is set. Using a jack, lift the front of the truck so that the front tires are off the ground. A good jack point is the front crossmember, or alternatively, the sides of the frame below the doors.

2

With the truck properly supported, slide underneath the vehicle and look for the O2 sensor. Depending on the year of the truck, there will be just one sensor located on the passenger side near the transmission, or several sensors on the later models, located both before and after the catalytic converters. Theyre easy to spot, as they stick out about 2 inches from the exhaust tubing and have two wires coming out from the body.

3

Unplug the harness that connects the O2 sensor to the stock wiring. If the clip that holds the harness together is difficult to disconnect, use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it free.

4

Using an O2 sensor socket or an appropriately sized wrench, loosen and remove the old O2 sensor. It unthreads like any other bolt would, going to the left to loosen. Should the sensor be stuck in the threads, loosen them with some WD-40 or similar product. Should the sensor still not come loose, the bung can be cut out of the exhaust, but it will have to be welded back into place by a professional, and should only be done as a last resort.

5

Before installing the replacement O2 sensor, put some anti-seize compound around the threaded area of the sensor. This will help you the next time you have to replace the sensor, as the heat of the exhaust wont cause the threads to seize up on you.

6

To reinstall, thread the O2 sensor into the bung on the exhaust, reconnect the wiring and lower the truck off of the jackstands.

There are many situations or tasks that are made simpler just by having a truck winch at your disposal. Winches provide pulling assistance for tasks that normally would require more manpower and time. There are two types of winches -- electric and hydraulic. Both assemblies have their pros and cons. Electric-powered winches are more commonly used, because of their ease of installation and variety of sizes for different trucks, while hydraulic winch assemblies are used more on industrial vehicles, because they are heavier and can be used while the vehicles engine is not running.

Instructions

1

Expel the line, cord or cable from your winch. Keep the line taut by pulling on it as it exits the winch. This prevents jamming up the winch with the excess line.

2

Make sure your winch is rated for the type of pulling you will be doing. Typically, winches rated for 2,000 to 6,000 lbs. are for small to medium vehicles, while 7,000 to 9,000 lbs. are for heavier items such as full-sized cars and trucks.

3

Attach the winch hook securely to the center of mass, or the strongest point on your item being towed. If using your winch to get yourself out of a tight situation, attach the winch hook to a stationary position. Make sure your stationary object can support the weight of your vehicle; trees are usually perfect for this task.

4

Turn on your winch to the slowest setting and monitor for slippage.

The gas cap is one of the most underrated pieces of vehicle safety equipment. On one side is a large tank full of very flammable liquid, and on the other side is a world full of sparks and hot metal just waiting to set the tank on fire. Making sure your gas cap is in good working condition and sealing the gas tank correctly is one of the simplest and oft-forgotten safety checks you can make on your 2004 Chevy truck.

Instructions

1

Open the gas cap cover (the plastic piece that covers the gas cap) and remove the gas cap. Look caully at the inside of the neck leading to the gas tank and check for any deformation from overtightening.

2

Check the gas cap for any deformation of the threads from overtightening.

3

Look at the top of the gas cap for any cracks or deep scratches in the top. Turn the cap upside down and look for any damage to the O-ring. This could include breaks, cracks, thinning, discoloration or anything else that looks out of place.

4

Check the seal of the gas cap. Usually a bad seal will cause a check engine light. You can also check the seal by putting the cap on, sitting on the side of the truck bed and bouncing up and down to see whether any gas seeps out. You can also drive and look for any gas residue around the edge of the cap after you stop.

5

Watch for subtle problems with the cap. These could include high gas mileage or gas splashing down the side of the truck.

6

Replace the gas cap if you notice any signs of trouble.

Losing car keys is a major inconvenience, especially when you dont have an extra key on hand to use until you locate your originals. When requiring new keys for your 1986 Ford truck, contact your local Ford service department or any professional locksmith. Fortunately, older Ford trucks are not equipped with internal computers so the process of making a new key for your truck is much simpler and less expensive.

Instructions

1

Call a locksmith or your Ford service department to request an appointment to have new keys made for your truck. If you make an appointment with a Ford service department youll need to have your truck towed to their service location. If you call a locksmith they will come to you.

2

Explain that the original keys are lost and that a new key must be made from scratch. Provide the Vehicle Identification Number, proof of ownership and photo identification to the locksmith and/or Ford service department. Keys will not be made if you cannot prove you own the vehicle.

3

Pay for the services rendered once your new key is made. The cost for having a new key made without the original from which to model it after is significantly more expensive because a mold of the lock must be made to determine the cut of the key.

Warranties serve as an assurance that your investment in a truck or automobile will not result in a loss. GMC warranty problems are associated with economic factors that affect the General Motors corporation as a whole.

Identification

Due to the early 21st centurys marked economic downturn, General Motors required massive federal support to maintain operations. The company approached federal courts with a request to keep paying out GMC and other warranty claims. As of 2009, consumers could still access warranty benefits through the help of the Better Business Bureaus Auto-Line.

Features

The BBB Auto-Line functions as a third-party mediator, allowing problems or disputes to be settled outside the official court system. In the event that the dispute results in arbitration, the owner can reject the BBB representatives decision. If the owner accepts it, GM must comply fully with the decision. This applies to all auto-makers involved in Auto-Line, not just GM.

Extension

Investigate GMs offer of an extension on the original warranty if you experience a recall or the need for mechanical repair. This often allows you to preempt potential service charges, and the complications that ensue from a premature expiration.

Most soft tonneau covers marketed as leather truck bed covers are actually made of vinyl. Even though vinyl is tougher than leather when exposed to the elements, these covers are not indestructible. Without careful maintenance, leather-look vinyl truck bed covers can become dry and prone to cracks and tears. When this happens, you can use a leather and vinyl repair kit to fix the damaged area if its small. While it wont look like new, you can make the problem area less noticeable and stop it from getting bigger.

Instructions

1

Clean the area around the tear thoroughly to remove dirt and oil that might prevent the vinyl from bonding properly with the repair material. Use soap and water first, then swab with alcohol.

2

Remove any rough edges from the tear with a razor blade, scalpel or scissors. You want the torn edges to lie flat.

3

Insert a piece of canvas backing from a vinyl and leather repair kit under the tear with tweezers. Some kits require you to apply glue between the vinyl and the canvas and press them together to seal them; with others, you apply heat with an iron or a special tool.

4

Mix the pigments provided in the leather and vinyl touch-up kit to match the color of the truck bed cover as closely as possible. Mix the pigment with filler material from the repair kit.

5

Fill the tear with filler material. Apply it in several thin layers rather than one thick layer. Press the embossing stamp which most closely resembles the grain of the bed cover to the final layer of filler material.

A 1969 Chevy truck might be having starting problems because of a dead battery or an insufficient level of fuel in the gas tank. The battery is one of the most important components of starting a vehicle. Without the battery, the motor will not get the electrical charge that it needs in order to start. By jump starting the battery, you can get the battery to charge up. Adding fuel to the gas tank could also be a quick fix to your starting issue.

Instructions

1

Check the fuel level in your Chevy truck. Add fuel if you think that you might have a broken gas gauge. Get a mechanic to replace your gas gauge.

2

Open the hood and attach the positive lead from your jumper cable to your battery. Connect the negative lead from your jumper cable to the negative terminal on your battery.

3

Get a friend to attach the positive and negative leads from the jumper cable to their cars battery.

4

Start your friends car and then start your Chevy truck. Leave the truck running for a about 5 minutes to allow the battery to charge.

5

Turn the truck off and then restart the truck. If the truck does not restart, you will need a new battery.

Electrical problems in 2007, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet trucks could result in the meltdown of "heater and washer fluid system" parts and the possibility of fire. The automobile manufacturer has issued recalls with a focus on those potential electrical malfunctions.

History

Chevrolet trucks were subject to two recalls for electrical system malfunctions---one on Aug. 27, 2008, and another on June 4, 2010. Chevrolet trucks from 2007, 2008 and 2009 for which electrical system recalls were issued are the Avalanche, Suburban, Silverado, Traverse and Tahoe.

Recalls

The August 2008 recall focused on a short circuit in the HWFS circuit board in the 2007 and 2008 Suburban, Avalanche, Tahoe and Silverado. The June 2010 recall targeted overheating of the thermal protective chamber around the HWFS fluid chamber in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Avalanche, Suburban, Silverado, Traverse and Tahoe.

Remedies

To prevent short-circuiting, a fuse was added to the circuit control board of vehicles affected by the 2008 recall. Chevrolet agreed to disable and remove the heater and washer fluid system from vehicles affected by the 2010 recall.