CAMPAIGN:REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD TO KNUCKLE
MODELS/YEARS: 1986 DELTA 88
CONDITION
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 models. The left and right rear lower control arm ball joint stud to knuckle attachment may have been inadequately tightened when these vehicles were assembled. This could allow the rear lower control arm ball joint stud to loosen at the knuckle attachment. A loose ball joint stud could eventually break and separate from the knuckle. Separation could cause a loss of vehicle control which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are all 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 models within the following serial numbers.
Assembly Plant Beginning Up To And Including -------------- ---------- ------------------- Willow Run (W) Start of Production GW341352
DEALER ACTION
To prevent the possiblity of this occurring on vehicles involved, dealers are to replace and tighten the left and right rear lower control arm ball joint stud nuts and, if necessary, replace the knuckle(s) as outlined 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
A. Inspection ---------- 1. Using a frame contact hoist, lift vehicle so suspension hangs free.
2. Remove both rear tire and wheel assemblies.
3. Remove the cotter pin from the left and right rear lower control arm ball joints. Refer to Figure 1.
4. Slowly loosen each castellated ball joint nut (2) two turns and determine if the ball joint moves downward and begins to separate from the knuckle.
5. Determine which of the following conditions exist at either or both of the ball joints.
- Ball joint does not move downward and does not begin to separate from the knuckle when castellated nut is loosened. Proceed to Part B of this service procedure.
- Ball joint moves downward and begins to separate from the knuckle when the castellated nut is loosened. Proceed to Part C of this service procedure.
B. Ball joint does not move downward and does not begin to separate from the knuckle when the castellated nut is loosened:
1. Place a suitable jack under the control arm and remove coil spring tension from the ball joint.
Note: The control arm must be supported to prevent the coil spring from forcing the control arm downward.
2. Remove the castellated nut from the rear lower control arm ball joint. Turn nut over and reinstall with flat side of nut facing upward. Do not tighten nut.
3. Install tool J 34505. Refer to Figure 2. Tool J 34505 was included with 1984-85 essential tools.
4. Separate knuckle from ball joint stud by backing off inverted nut against tool J 34505.
5. Remove tool J 34505 and castellated nut.
6. Install new castellated nut part number 11504131 flat side down.
7. Tighten new nut to 10 N-m (7 lbs. ft.).
8. Tighten nut an additional 2/3 turn. A minimum torque of 55 N - m (41 lbs. ft.) must have been achieved by this time.
Note: It may be necessary to partially load joint to keep ball joint from rotating while nut is being tightened.
If a minimum of 55 N-m (41 lbs. ft.) has not been obtained, proceed to Part C of this service procedure.
9. Align slot in castellated nut to cotter pin hole in ball joint stud by tightening only. DO NOT loosen nut to align for cotter pin installation.
10. Install new cotter pin.
11. Install tire and wheel assembly.
12. Install campaign identification label.
C. Ball joint moves downward and begins to separate from the knuckle when the castel lated nut is loosened:
1. Place a suitable jack under the control arm and remove coil spring tension from the ball joint.
Note: The control arm must be supported to prevent the coil spring from forcing the control arm downward.
2. Remove cotter pin and nut from outer suspension adjustment link. Refer to Figure 3.
3. Remove brake line bracket from backing plate.
4. Separate outer suspension adjustment link from knuckle using tool J 24319-01 or equilvalent. Refer to Figure 3.
5. Remove castellated nut from the rear lower control arm ball joint.
6. Separate knuckle from rear lower control arm ball joint.
7. Remove brake drum.
8. Remove four (4) hub and bearing assembly to knuckle bolts. When removing these bolts, support the brake assembly with a wire or other means. Do not let the brake line support the brake assembly.
9. Install new knuckle, install strut to knuckle bolts, and tighten to 195 N - m (144 lbs. ft.).
10. Install four (4) hub and bearing assembly to knuckle bolts and tighten to 70 N - m (52 lbs. ft.).
11. Install outer suspension adjustment link to knuckle using new nut, part number 11504131 and tighten to 50 N - m (37 lbs. ft.). After tightening, align cotter pin slot by tightening nut only. DO NOT loosen nut to align for cotter pin installation.
12. Install new cotter pin.
13. Install brake line bracket to backing plate. Tighten bolts to 10 N - m (7 lbs. ft.).
14. Install new castellated nut, part number 11504131 on rear lower control arm ball joint stud.
15. Tighten new nut to 10 N - m (7 lbs. ft.).
16. Tighten nut an additional 2/3 turn to achieve a mininum torque of 55 N - m (41 lbs. ft.).
NOTE: It may be necessary to partially load joint to keep ball joint from rotating while nut is being tightened.
17. Align slot in castellated nut to cotter pin hole in ball joint stud by tightening only. DO NOT loosen nut to align for cotter pin installation.
18. Install new cotter pin.
19. Install tire and wheel assembly.
20. Align rear suspension. Refer to section 3A in the 1986 Firenza, Calais, Cutlass Ciera, Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight Chassis Service Manual.
21. Install campaign identification label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL INSTALLATION
Each vehicle modified in accordance with the instructions outlined in this procedure 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 the vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen. When installing label, clean the surface of the radiator upper mounting support and apply the campaign label where it is readily visible.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts are to be obtained from the Warehousing and Distribution Divison of General Motors (WDDGM). These parts, when required, should be ordered from WDDGM on a C.I.O. order with no special instruction code, but on an advise code (2).
PART NUMBER QUANTITY DESCRIPTION USAGE ----------- -------- ----------- -----
11504131 *2 Castellated Nut Rear Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Stud Outer Suspension Adjustment Link
11509456 *2 Cotter Pin Rear Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Stud Outer Suspension Adjustment Link
25522880 1 Knuckle R.H. ---- (If Required)
25522881 1 Knuckle L.H. ---- (If Required)
*Quantity of 3 if a knuckle is replaced
CLAIM INFORMATION
Inspect both sides. Replace ball joint stud nuts and cotter pins.
FAILURE CODE LABOR OPERATION LABOR HOURS FAILED PART NO. ------------ --------------- ----------- --------------- 96 V3560 1.0 11509456
Inspect both sides. Replace one side ball joint stud nut and cotter pin. Replace one side knuckle, ball joint stud nut, cotter pin, outer suspension adjustment link nut, and cotter pin. Align rear suspension.
FAILURE CODE LABOR OPERATION LABOR HOURS FAILED PART NO. ------------ ---------------- ----------- --------------- 96 V3561 2.0 11504131
Inspect both sides. Replace both knuckles, ball joint stud nuts, and cotter pins. Replace both outer suspension adjustment link nuts and cotter pins. Align rear suspension.
FAILURE CODE LABOR OPERATION LABOR HOURS FAILED PART NO. ------------ --------------- ----------- -------------- 96 V3562 2.9 25522880
Parts will be credited at dealer cost plus 30%.
.1 hour for clerical administration may be added to the above operations.
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.
