CAMPAIGN:TIE ROD PINCH BOLT INADEQUATE LOAD ON T/R ADJ.

MODELS/YEARS 1985 CALAIS MODELS

CONDITION

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some early production 1985 Oldsmobile Calais models. The vehicles were assembled with inadequate clamp load on the tie rod adjuster. This could allow the tie rod to loosen and separate from the tie rod adjuster. Tie rod separation could cause a loss of steering control which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain early production 1985 Oldsmobile Calais models from the start of production through the following serial number:

Assembly Plant Serial Number -------------- ------------- Lansing Plant C FC003329 Lansing Plant M FM201730

DEALER ACTION

To eliminate the possibility of this occurring on vehicles involved, the inner and outer tie rod pinch bolts are to be tightened according to instructions in the Service Procedure Section of this bulletin. Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to the owner, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward. Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.

Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required modification according to instructions contained in this bulletin.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.

2. Use a torque wrench and a 13 mm socket with an extension to tighten the two (2) inner and two (2) outer tie rod pinch bolts to 55 N - m (41 lbs. ft.). Refer to Figure 1 for location of tie rod pinch bolts.

3. Lower hoist.

4. Raise hood to install a Campaign Identification Label on the fan shroud as follows:

Each vehicle modified in accordance with the instructions outlined herein will require a Campaign Identification Label. Each label provides a space to include the campaign number, the five (5) digit Dealer Code of the dealer performing the campaign service, and the date vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen. When installing label, clean the surface of the fan shroud and apply the Campaign Label.

5. Close hood.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Operation Failure Code Operation Hours ---------- ------------- ---------- ----- Tighten Tie Rod 96 V2340 .3 Pinch Bolts

.1 hour for clerical administration may be added to the above operation.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.