FRONT SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR UPPER GUIDE LOOP FASTENER
SUBJECT: FRONT SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR
MODELS AFFECTED: 1988 - 1990 REGAL COUPE
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle 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 owner 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 owner 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 solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Buick 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 determined that certain 1988-1990 Buick Regal Coupe model vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 210 "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages". The upper guide loop attachment fastener for the front seat shoulder belts could pull through the anchor plate at a load lower than that required by the Standard. In an accident, if the fastener pulls through the anchor plate, the shoulder belt would not correctly restrain the occupant.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1988-1990 Regal Coupe model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
Through and Year Model Plant From Including ---- ----- ------ ------- --------- 1988 Regal Oshawa J1465091 J1530075 1989 Regal Oshawa K1400026 K1488782 1990 Regal Oshawa L1400250 L1449921 (Coupe only)
DEALER ACTION
To correct this condition, dealers are to replace all front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts according to the instructions contained in this bulletin.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in 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 correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this campaign may not comply with the standard identified. Under Section 108 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, it is illegal for a dealer to sell a new motor vehicle which the dealer knows does not comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. As a consequence, if you sell any of these motor vehicles without first performing the campaign correction, your dealership may be subject to a civil penalty up to $1,000 for each such sale.
DEALER MATERIAL
If your dealership has vehicles involved in this campaign, you will receive the following items:
- List of all vehicles involved in this campaign shipped to your dealership
- One (1) campaign identification label for each vehicle
- Under separate cover, one cutting tool J-38973 furnished at no charge
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. Owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.
These listings may contain owner 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. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin). Mailing of owner letters will be scheduled as parts become available.
CHANGE OF OWNER NOTIFICATION
Dealers are to use the Dealer Communication System (DCS) to provide Buick Motor Division with subsequent Buick owner information. By reporting a change of owner name or address of a vehicle in campaign status over the DCS, the need to send a CVAR form for that vehicle is eliminated. Terminal input instructions are covered in the DCS Manual under Section 9, Page 9-J01A and B.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). To ensure these parts will be obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a "C.I.O." order with no special instruction code, but on an advise code (2).
Quantity/ Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- -------------- --------- 10190637 Kit - Contains: 2 nuts p/n 10169859 1 2 plugs p/n 10180101 Instruction Sheet
It is anticipated that each dealer will be preshipped five (5) kits of p/n 10190637 from GMSPO. These parts will be billed on the dealer parts account.
SPECIAL TOOLS
Each dealer will be shipped a special cutting tool, J-38973, the week of July 9, 1990. Tool is being furnished at no charge to the dealer. Each tool package will be identified with Buick Campaign Number 90-C-6. Additional tools, if required, may be ordered from Kent-Moore.
SERVICE PROCEDURE (PROCEDURE TO BE PERFORMED ON BOTH SIDES)
1. Lower front door glass and remove (pry off) plastic anchor nut cover from another plate cover working from outside of vehicle. See Figure 2, View "A".
2. Remove nut and rubber washer from guide loop stud, retain rubber washer for reinstallation. See Figure 1.
NOTE: To prevent guide loop from turning while removing nut, rest a suitable tool between guide loop and window frame. Care must be taken to prevent paint damage to window frame or damage to the plastic coating on the guide loop. Use of a shop cloth or other soft material will help reduce potential for damage. See Figure 2, View "B".
3. Insert pilot shaft of cutting tool J-38973 into anchor plate hole and while firmly pressing inboard, rotate tool clockwise 360 degrees several times. Remove tool and material cut away from plastic anchor plate cover. See Figure 2, View "C" and "D". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ REPLACE SAFETY BELT GUIDE LOOP RETAINING NUT AND COVER 1988 - 1990 "W" COUPES
1. Lower Front Door Glass and remove (pry off) plastic Anchor Nut Cover from Anchor Plate Cover working from outside of vehicle. FIG. 2, VIEW "A".
2. Remove nut and rubber washer from Guide Loop Stud, retain rubber washer for reinstallation. FIG. 1.
NOTE: To prevent Guide Loop from turning while removing nut, rest a suitable tool between Guide Loop and Window Frame. Care must be taken to prevent paint damage to Window Frame or damage to the plastic coating on the Guide Loop. Use of a shop cloth or other soft material will help reduce potential for damage. FIG. 2, VIEW "B".
3. Insert pilot shaft of cutting tool (J-38973) into Anchor Plate hole and while firmly pressing inboard, rotate tool clockwise 360 several times. Remove tool and material cut away from Plastic Anchor Plate Cover. FIG. 2, VIEW "C" & "D".
4. Insert new larger diameter Nut P/N 10169859 through Anchor Plate and place rubber washer over shoulder of nut (between Anchor Plate and Guide Loop). Putting Guide Loop in place. thread the new nut onto the Guide Loop Stud. Torque nut to 28 N-m (21 Lb. Ft.). FIG. 1.
NOTE: To prevent Guide Loop from turning while installing nut, rest a suitable tool between Guide Loop and Window Frame. Care must be taken to prevent paint damage to Window Frame or damage to the plastic coating on the Guide Loop. Use of a shop cloth or other soft material will help reduce potential for damage
5. Install new plastic Anchor Nut Cover P/N 10180101 over nut. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Insert new larger diameter nut (p/n 10169859) through anchor plate and place rubber washer over shoulder of nut (between anchor plate and guide loop). Putting guide loop in place, thread the new nut onto the guide loop stud. Torque nut to 28 N.m (21 lb.ft.). See Figure 1.
NOTE: To prevent guide loop from turning while removing nut, rest a suitable tool between guide loop and window frame. Care must be taken to prevent paint damage to window frame or damage to the plastic coating on the guide loop. Use of a shop cloth or other soft material will help reduce potential for damage. See Figure 2, View "B".
5. Install new plastic anchor nut cover (p/n 10180101) over nut.
6. Install 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 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 for periodic servicing by the owner.
Apply "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
DISPOSITION OF PARTS
Replaced parts must be held for disposition by Buick Zone/Branch contact personnel. Parts must have a claim tag attached showing the repair order and the VIN of the vehicle from which they were removed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
SUBLET PART FAILED PARTS FAILURE LABOR LABOR OTHER DEALER OPER COUNT PART NO ALLOW CODE OP NO HOURS HOURS MTL TWG ---- ----- ------- ----- ------- ----- ----- ----- ------- o Install shoulder belt guide kit (2 doors)
1 10190637 ** 96 V6170 0.6 *0.1 --
* Campaign Administrative Allowance
** Dealer current net price plus 30% of all parts required for the repair
Dear Buick Owner:
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 determined that certain 1988-1990 Buick Regal Coupe model vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 210 "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages". The upper guide loop attachment fastener for the front seat shoulder belts could pull through the anchor plate at a load lower than that required by the Standard. In an accident, the shoulder belt would not correctly restrain the occupant.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To correct this condition, dealers will replace all front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts. A new guide cover will also be installed at this time.
This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Buick dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and parts are available. The labor time necessary to perform this service correction is approximately forty (40) minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
Until you return your vehicle to the dealer for repair, you should continue to use your seat and shoulder belts.
Your Buick dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to insure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If, however, you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date or within five (5) days, we recommend you contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center, Flint Home Office, by calling 1-800-521-7300.
After contacting your dealer and the Customer Assistance Center, if 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 366-0123).
The enclosed owner 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 have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.
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.
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.
