2004 GMC Sierra 3500

REFERENCE A GMC 2004 SIERRA 3500 4 WHEEL DRIVE PICK UP TRUCK, 6.6L DIESEL ENGINE WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE MOLDED RUBBER AROUND THE DRIVELINE CENTER SUPPORT CARRIER BEARING (PART # 12472424) DRY ROTTED CAUSING DRIVELINE VIBRATION THAT, IN TURN CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE TO FAIL. THE VIBRATION WAS SLIGHT AND NOT CONSTANT, NOT INDICATING A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE PART IN QUESTION IS A NON-SERVICEABLE PART, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DID NOT AND WOULD NOT PREVENT THIS FAILURE. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED AND WAS ON THE VERGE OF TOTAL LOCK UP WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS OVER $3000 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE DEALER DO THE REPAIRS. SINCE I AM A COMPETENT MECHANIC, I INSPECTED AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM WHEN I FIRST NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION, MOST VEHICLE OWNERS WOULD HAVE DRIVEN THE TRUCK UNTIL THE WHEELS LOCKED UP POSSIBLY CAUSING A LIFE THREATENING CRASH. THE PART IN QUESTION IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS MADE IN CHINA. WHILE MANY PARTS COMING FROM CHINA TODAY ARE OF SUFFICIENT QUALITY, CHINESE RUBBER IS SUBSTANDARD AND DRY ROTS IN ABOUT TWO YEARS UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE FOR GM TO USE SUBSTANDARD PARTS IN SUCH CRITICAL AREAS OF THEIR VEHICLES. *TR INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).