CAMPAIGN: STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT TORQUE. Pontiac Grand Am 1996

NOTE: GM OF CANADA CAMPAIGN 96074 IS LOCATED BELOW THE U.S. VERSION

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

SUBJECT: 96074 - STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT TORQUE -----------------------------------------------

MODELS: 1996 BUICK SKYLARK AND PONTIAC GRAND AM VEHICLES ------------------------------------------------

The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.

If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.

To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The steering column lower pinch bolt may not have been tightened to the specified torque. An under-torqued pinch bolt could result in a rattle and looseness in the steering system. If the pinch bolt were backed out of the joint completely, rotation of the steering shaft against the connector in high-effort steering maneuvers could cause increasing looseness in the steering system and could result in loss of steering and a crash.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1996 Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- -------- -------- ------- ----- -------- -------- 1996 Buick Skylark Lansing "C" TC443150 TC443183 1996 Pontiac Grand Am Lansing "C" TC848947 TC850364

NOTICE: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

PARTS INFORMATION

NO PARTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the appropriate divisional customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (S.I.R.) fuse from fuse block.

2. Turn two locking retainers to open the LH sound insulator panel. Disengage courtesy lamp from panel and remove panel.

3. Remove connector position assurance (CPA) pin and separate the driver's side S.I.R. connector (yellow).

4. Pull steering column shaft seal down to gain access to pinch bolt.

5. Using a torque wrench, check pinch bolt torque. If necessary, tighten to 41 Nm (30 Lbs.Ft).

6. Carefully reposition the steering column shaft seal. Make sure the seal lip is fully seated on the steering column bushing lip.

7. Connect driver's side S.I.R. connector (yellow). Install connector assurance (CPA) pin.

8. Replace courtesy lamp in sound insulator panel.

9. Position sound insulator panel and secure with two locking retainers.

10. Install the S.I.R. fuse to the fuse block.

11. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label". Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from VISPAC Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

* REPAIR PART FAILED PARTS LABOR LABOR PERFORMED COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS -------------- ----- -------- ----- ----- ------ ----- INSP / TIGHTEN - - - MA-96 V9987 0.3 STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT

* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".

Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

January, 1997

Dear <Division(s)> Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Reason For This Recall: General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The steering column lower pinch bolt may not. have been tightened to the specified torque. An under-torqued pinch bolt could result in a rattle and looseness in the steering system. If the pinch bolt were backed out of the joint completely, rotation of the steering shaft against the connector in high- effort steering maneuvers could cause increasing looseness in the steering system and could result in loss of steering and a crash.

What Will Be Done: To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

How Long Will The Repair Take? The length of time required to perform this inspection and service correction is approximately 20 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and. process your vehicle. If your dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed.

Contacting Your Dealer: Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle. Your Buick/Pontiac dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the listed number below:

Deaf, Hearing impaired Division Number or Speech Impaired* -------- -------------- ---------------------- Buick 1-800-521-7300 1-800-832-8425 Pontiac 1-800-762-2737 1-800-833-7668

*Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones (TDD/TTY)

If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington D.C. residents use 202-366-0123).

Customer Reply Card: The enclosed customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

Courtesy Transportation: Your dealer will provide you with shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation while your vehicle is at the dealership for this repair. Please refer to your Owner's Manual and your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

<Division(s)> GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

Enclosure

** CANADIAN VERSION **

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

SUBJECT: CAMPAIGN 96074 - STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT TORQUE --------------------------------------------------------

MODELS: 1996 BUICK SKYLARK AND PONTIAC GRAND AM VEHICLES ------------------------------------------------

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The steering column lower pinch bolt may not have been tightened to the specified torque. An under-torqued pinch bolt could result in a rattle and looseness in the steering system. If the pinch bolt were backed out of the joint completely, rotation of the steering shaft against the connector in high-effort steering maneuvers could cause increasing looseness in the steering system and could result in loss of steering and a crash.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are the following three (3) 1996 Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles:

DEALER CODE VIN ----------- ------------------- 95516 1G2NE52MXTC850066 95516 1G2NE52M6TC850078 95434 1G2NE52T3TC849252

NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 445 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

PARTS INFORMATION

NO PARTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE TMS CAMPAIGN.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

All customers of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (S.I.R.) fuse from fuse block.

2. Turn two locking retainers to open the LH sound insulator panel. Disengage courtesy lamp from panel and remove panel.

3. Remove connector position assurance (CPA) pin and separate the driver's side S.I.R. connector (yellow).

4. Pull steering column shaft seal down to gain access to pinch bolt.

5. Using a torque wrench, check pinch bolt torque. If necessary, tighten to 41 N.m (30 Lbs. Ft).

6. Carefully reposition the steering column shaft seal. Make sure the seal lip is fully seated on the steering column bushing lip.

7. Connect driver's side S.I.R. connector (yellow). Install connector assurance (CPA) pin.

8. Replace courtesy lamp in sound insulator panel.

9. Position sound insulator panel and secure with two locking retainers.

10. Install the S.I.R. fuse to the fuse block.

11. Install Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product C&npaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought into the dealership for periodic servicing. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

* REPAIR PERFORMED PART FAILED PARTS LABOUR LABOUR COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS ------------------------ ----- -------- ----- ----- ------ ------ INSPECT/TIGHTEN STEERING - - - MA-96 V9987 0.3 COLUMN PINCH BOLT

* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labour Hours".

Refer to the General Motors Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

January 1997

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Skylark and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. The steering column lower pinch bolt may not have been tightened to the specified torque. An under-torqued pinch bolt could result in a rattle and looseness in the steering system. If the pinch bolt were backed out of the joint completely, rotation of the steering shaft against the connector in high effort steering maneuvers could cause increasing looseness in the steering system and could result in loss of steering and a crash.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your GM dealer will inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.

This service will be provided for you at no charge.

Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

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.