INFORMATION - STEERING KNUCKLE GENERAL INFORMATION. Buick Regal 1997

SUBJECT: INFORMATION - STEERING KNUCKLE GENERAL INFORMATION

MODELS: 1997 BUICK CENTURY, REGAL 1997 CHEVROLET VENTURE 1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, TRANS SPORT

THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM FRONT STEERING KNUCKLES WHICH REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION WHEN PERFORMING SERVICE INVOLVING THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT AND OUTER TIE ROD JOINT ATTACHMENTS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE.

THE TAPERED STUDS HAVE BEEN COATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSION COATING WHICH WILL ALLOW THE TAPERED STUDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE TAPERED HOLE IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE MUCH EASIER THAN PREVIOUS SIMILAR DESIGN ATTACHMENTS.

WHEN REATTACHING THE TAPERED STUDS TO THE KNUCKLE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE RESPECTIVE SERVICE MANUALS TO AVOID POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ALUMINUM STEERING KNUCKLE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE SPECIFIC TORQUE VALUE SPECIFIED IN THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL. THIS PROCEDURE WILL PROPERLY SEAT THE TAPERED STUD AND PRODUCE A SECURE ATTACHMENT. OVER ROTATION OF THE NUT BEYOND THE SPECIFIED ANGLE (OR NUMBER OF FLATS) COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE ALUMINUM STEERING KNUCKLE. ALTHOUGH THE FINAL NUT TORQUE MAY FEEL INSUFFICIENT, THIS PROCEDURE WILL ADEQUATELY SECURE THE TAPERED STUD TO THE KNUCKLE.

SOME MODELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH STEERING OUTER TIE ROD JOINTS WHICH UTILIZE A TORQUE PREVAILING NUT, REPLACING THE TRADITIONAL FREE SPINNING CASTLE NUT AND COTER KEY DESIGN USED IN PREVIOUS MODELS. WHEN REASSEMBLING THIS STYLE OF ATTACHMENT, THE STUDS MUST BE KEPT FROM ROTATING WHILE INITIALLY TIGHTENING THE TORQUE PREVAILING NUT UNTIL THE TAPERED STUD IS SEATED IN THE KNUCKLE. ONCE SEATED, THE STUD WILL BE RETAINED BY THE KNUCKLE AND THE TORQUE PREVAILING NUT CAN BE TIGHTENED AS PRESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE MANUAL.

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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.