FRONT STRUT MOUNT NOISE REMOVE MOUNT CUSHION STIFFENER

MODELS AFFECTED: 1990 REGAL COUPES WITH BASE LEVEL SUSPENSION BUILT PRIOR TO VIN L1402187

Some 1990 Regals with base level suspensions assembled prior to VIN L1402187 may exhibit an audible squeaking/itching noise coming from the front of the vehicle during a turning maneuver.

This noise condition may be caused by movement between the strut mount cushion plastic stiffener, strut rod and/or strut mount cushion. Vehicles exhibiting this condition may be repaired by removal of the plastic stiffeners from the front strut mount cushions following service procedure below. Removal of these plastic stiffeners will not adversely affect the handling characteristics of the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Position vehicle on a flat and level surface.

CAUTION:

Do not service the strut unless the weight of the vehicle is on the suspension. The weight of the vehicle keeps the coil spring compressed, otherwise the released coil spring could cause personal injury.

2. Raise hood.

3. Scribe mark on strut mount cover plate and body to assure proper camber adjustment is maintained after reassembly.

4. Remove the three strut mount cover nuts and remove cover.

5. Remove strut rod nut using a No. 50 torx bit and tool J-35669.

6. Lightly bounce vehicle vertically until the strut mount cushion assembly pops up.

7. Remove strut mount cushion assembly from strut rod.

8. Invert strut mount cushion assembly and remove plastic stiffener. A screwdriver may facilitate prying stiffener from cushion. Discard stiffener.

9. Install alignment rod, tool 335668, on strut rod ard pull strut rod upward.

10. Remove alignment rod and reinstall strut mount cushion assembly onto strut rod and hand start strut rod nut.

11. Push the strut mount cushion assembly into position making sure that the tab on the cushion is aligned with the notch on the side of the mount.

12. Torque strut rod nut to 100 N.m (72 lb. ft).

13. Reinstall cover plate aligning scribed marks on cover plate and body.

14. Reinstall cover plate nuts and torque to 24 N.m (17 lb. ft.)

15. Repeat steps 3 throuah 14 on strut on opposite side of vehicle.

Labor Operation Number: T1556

Labor Time: .5 Hours

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.