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09-22-2010, 03:12 PM
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#1
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,688
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Writing a Letter
Laugh if you want, but I am writing a letter to GM with the $1000 repair bill for my Saturn attached. My sway bar broke on a hard right-hand turn for the second time. The first one was covered under warranty, this one took out my front axle as collateral damage. I had just replaced that axle last fall at the Saturn dealer. There is no reason for this to happen. It is a manufacturing error or at least a negligent design. I can't find one other person on the Saturn forums that this has happened to. The gentleman at the Saturn service also said that this was the first time he has seen this happen when I had brought it in the first time.
They obviously won't be cutting me a check, but I'd at least like some sort of acknowledgment of the issue and a promise to cover the repairs if it happens again. The letter will take me only 20 minutes to write, so it is worth a shot in my opinion. What are you guys' thoughts? Any advice on what to include?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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09-22-2010, 03:40 PM
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#2
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,151
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Did you make any calls? I'd call the district manager. get the number from the dealer.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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09-22-2010, 03:46 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 7,108
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What Scott said, start making calls first. How was the dealer treating you? Include that(in a positive or negative light). Definitely try climbing the ladder via phone first.
__________________
2018 Camaro 2SS Redline package, ESC Novi 1500 tuned by EFX, Might Mouse wild catch can, GM STB, smoked ZL1 3rd brake light, Xpel XR Black 35% tint all around, Street Scene front splitter, C7 Carbon ZL1 side skirts, Drake Muscle Car Wickerbill spoiler
2010 Infiniti G37x-Moonlight White w/Graphite interior. Stock...for now. Xpel XR Black tint(hey it's a mod lol)
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09-22-2010, 04:08 PM
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#4
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
Laugh if you want, but I am writing a letter to GM with the $1000 repair bill for my Saturn attached. My sway bar broke on a hard right-hand turn for the second time. The first one was covered under warranty, this one took out my front axle as collateral damage. I had just replaced that axle last fall at the Saturn dealer. There is no reason for this to happen. It is a manufacturing error or at least a negligent design. I can't find one other person on the Saturn forums that this has happened to. The gentleman at the Saturn service also said that this was the first time he has seen this happen when I had brought it in the first time.
They obviously won't be cutting me a check, but I'd at least like some sort of acknowledgment of the issue and a promise to cover the repairs if it happens again. The letter will take me only 20 minutes to write, so it is worth a shot in my opinion. What are you guys' thoughts? Any advice on what to include?
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FWIW, after I had an "experience" at Flemington GM I wrote an email and got a follow up phone call a week later. I was polite but firm and that's why I wasn't dismissed as a yahoo I guess.
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09-22-2010, 04:16 PM
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#5
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frosty
What Scott said, start making calls first. How was the dealer treating you? Include that(in a positive or negative light). Definitely try climbing the ladder via phone first.
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this guy can probably get you numbers
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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09-22-2010, 04:20 PM
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#6
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12 Second Club
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oradell
Posts: 8,368
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wat year/model saturn
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86 Camaro
88 Camaro
95 Impala SS
97 Trans Am WS6
98 Blazer ZR2
00 Corvette
04 CTS-V
07 Sublime Charger Daytona
10 Tahoe SSV
12 Tahoe LT
17 Malibu LT
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09-22-2010, 06:41 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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Crazy man! How the hell do you snap a sway bar?!!?
Send a letter, they are very active with customer service right now, stretching into forums and social media sections.
Real crazy...
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2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
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09-22-2010, 06:48 PM
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#8
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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bar or end-link?
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09-22-2010, 09:23 PM
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#9
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Highland Mills, NY
Posts: 1,915
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i would deff. contact someone higher in the dealership they will hlep you out, they cant afford to lose a customer.
__________________
2000 Camaro SS 610rwhp/570rwtq LS2 440, 12 bolt 3.73, tranzilla t56
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09-22-2010, 09:29 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Delran
Posts: 6,785
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ive had the endlinks on my saturn replace twice already per warranty. it gets done per this tsb. theyve done the endlinks because they were worn prematurely because of the clunking.
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
SATURN / ION 2003-2007
Service Bulletin Number : 040308006
NHTSA Item Number : 10007892
Summary Description :
CLUCK, THUMP OR RATTLE NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING OVER ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS OR WHEN BRAKING (REPLACE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING). *MJ UPDATED 10/5/07. *NJ
Last edited by NastyEllEssWon; 09-22-2010 at 09:30 PM.
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09-22-2010, 10:03 PM
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#11
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,688
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider
bar or end-link?
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the bar. Twice. The end-links I consider wear items, and replace them then they begin to clunk.
Dealer that did the work is now a used car lot. Called my local Chevy dealer and told them, and was told that the repair is no longer warrantied. Parts guy told me that sway bars on all cars break rather often. I'll make more phone calls this week.
Picked up the car today, and it is sputtering and the CEL is flashing and power is reduced. It shakes pretty violently on the highway too. I wish I had my scanner with me cause I am dying to know whats wrong with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maroman88
wat year/model saturn
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It's an 06 Vue by the way with 91k miles.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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Last edited by qwikz28; 09-22-2010 at 10:05 PM.
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09-23-2010, 06:11 AM
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#12
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Columbia
Posts: 928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Crazy man! How the hell do you snap a sway bar?!!?
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I broke 3 bars in 3 years on my grand prix before the trans chit the bed and I traded it in.
__________________
Praise the Lowered
67' Camaro - Worked 327, Hotchkis TVS suspension, 4 wheel cross drilled discs, AM radio FTL
05' Silverado - Stock, stock, and stock.
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09-23-2010, 06:51 AM
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#13
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,688
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CHRIS67
I broke 3 bars in 3 years on my grand prix before the trans chit the bed and I traded it in.
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whoa. how did that happen?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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09-23-2010, 07:03 AM
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#14
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Columbia
Posts: 928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
whoa. how did that happen?
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Having too much fun on highway on ramps.
__________________
Praise the Lowered
67' Camaro - Worked 327, Hotchkis TVS suspension, 4 wheel cross drilled discs, AM radio FTL
05' Silverado - Stock, stock, and stock.
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09-23-2010, 07:26 AM
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#15
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
the bar. Twice. The end-links I consider wear items, and replace them then they begin to clunk.
Dealer that did the work is now a used car lot. Called my local Chevy dealer and told them, and was told that the repair is no longer warrantied. Parts guy told me that sway bars on all cars break rather often. I'll make more phone calls this week.
Picked up the car today, and it is sputtering and the CEL is flashing and power is reduced. It shakes pretty violently on the highway too. I wish I had my scanner with me cause I am dying to know whats wrong with it.
It's an 06 Vue by the way with 91k miles.
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i've got to imagine its pretty rare to break the actual bar with normal use. i bet there could be an issue with an outside supplier. also, sounds like a misfire if you didn't already assume so.
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09-23-2010, 07:30 AM
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#16
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 7,108
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I'd call the GM Customer Assistance number before writing a letter. They'll start a case for you and at least try to help. At the end of the day it's not up to the dealer. You could try getting the # to the district guy but your best bet is to start a case with GM. Let them make the calls, let them do the leg work...that's what they're there for.
__________________
2018 Camaro 2SS Redline package, ESC Novi 1500 tuned by EFX, Might Mouse wild catch can, GM STB, smoked ZL1 3rd brake light, Xpel XR Black 35% tint all around, Street Scene front splitter, C7 Carbon ZL1 side skirts, Drake Muscle Car Wickerbill spoiler
2010 Infiniti G37x-Moonlight White w/Graphite interior. Stock...for now. Xpel XR Black tint(hey it's a mod lol)
Last edited by Frosty; 09-23-2010 at 07:30 AM.
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09-23-2010, 08:07 AM
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#17
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider
i've got to imagine its pretty rare to break the actual bar with normal use. i bet there could be an issue with an outside supplier. also, sounds like a misfire if you didn't already assume so.
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I dunno man. I broke both ends of off the bar in my GTP.
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09-23-2010, 08:17 AM
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#18
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Get solid bars, they're heavier, but less to worry about, and if your snapping solid bars, you need to tell GM to move their suspension facility from China to Taiwan so this don't happen again.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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Last edited by Blacdout96; 09-23-2010 at 08:18 AM.
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09-23-2010, 10:13 AM
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#19
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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That's some hard driving! Shesh! I figure the link would snap first.
__________________
2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
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09-23-2010, 10:50 AM
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#20
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Columbia
Posts: 928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
That's some hard driving! Shesh! I figure the link would snap first.
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Smaller bar on a wide car, or just some bad casting. Only car I had that had that issue.
__________________
Praise the Lowered
67' Camaro - Worked 327, Hotchkis TVS suspension, 4 wheel cross drilled discs, AM radio FTL
05' Silverado - Stock, stock, and stock.
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09-23-2010, 11:03 AM
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#21
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,688
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacdout96
Get solid bars, they're heavier, but less to worry about, and if your snapping solid bars, you need to tell GM to move their suspension facility from China to Taiwan so this don't happen again.
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It is solid.
Tony- Thanks, I'm gonna start a case. I figure I'm going to start lofty and ask them to cover this repair too.
Al- It is hard driving, but its nothing that would constitute abuse or anything. It is NYC driving.
Sweetbmxrider- Yeah I had it scanned this morning. Multiple Misfire, Cyl 1 Misfire, and Cyl 3 misfire. Joy.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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09-23-2010, 12:17 PM
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#22
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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i'd guess plugs if they haven't been done or coil packs. could obviously be more but given the mileage....
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09-23-2010, 12:32 PM
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#23
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,964
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Do you have any pics of the sway bar, and also, could you get an undershot between the endlinks and the bushings on th frame? either the manufacturing is defective, or the placement between those tw oare causeing too much stress on the member over a period of time and it just breaks.
__________________
1996 Camaro C/S - 2/3 Corvette Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Uh yeah, after they surprized buttsecks us at Pearl Harbor?
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09-23-2010, 01:42 PM
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#24
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Midland Park, NJ
Posts: 1,389
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You can probably find out the contact information for the zone rep for the dealer that last preformed the work.
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09-23-2010, 01:43 PM
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#25
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Midland Park, NJ
Posts: 1,389
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Here is an e-mail address..
cac@saturn.com
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