SPECIAL POLICY: TEMPORARY REDUCTION/POWER STRG.-COLD

MODEL: 1985-1988 CIMARRON 1986-1989 DE VILLE, FLEETWOODS, ELDORADO, AND SEVILLE 1986-1987 LIMOUSINE

This bulletin is being issued to supplement bulletins 85-P-5, 85-P-5(A) and 85-P-5(B). The additional vehicles listed below may exhibit a temporary reduction of power steering assist when the vehicle is started cold. After a short period of engine operation, full assist is restored.

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT

This Special Policy covers the condition described above for a period of five (5) years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service regardless of ownership. Correction of this condition will consist of installation of a Seal Service Kit.

This "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletin" should be filed in the three ring binder previously furnished to the dealer by General Motors.

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

This special policy will be announced to owners by a general press release.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

The following vehicles are eligible for this Special Policy Adjustment:

All 1985-1987 Cimarron A11 1986-1987 De Ville, Fleetwood and Limousine All 1986-1987 Eldorado and Seville

Certain 1988 Cimarron, De Ville, Fleetwood, Eldorado, and Seville models within the following VIN range:

Cimarron JJ500001 through JJ504243 De Ville, Fleetwood J4200001 through J4302418 Eldorado JU600001 through JU610281 Eldorado with Touring Suspension (option code FE2) JU600001 through JU610454 Seville JU800001 through JU808825 Seville with Touring Suspension (option code FE2) JU800001 through JU808969

PARTS INFORMATION

The following parts required to complete this Special Policy Adjustment should be obtained from the Parts Distribution Centers of the General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). A description is provided below:

Description Part Number Quantity/Vehicle ----------- ----------- ----------------- Seal Service Kit 26010340 1

If there is difficulty obtaining these parts using normal ordering procedures, dealers may place a C.I.O. using advise Code "2" with no special instruction code. The parts may also be ordered on a V.I.P. order; however, unless prior zone approval is obtained, dealers will be required to absorb any surcharge involved under the V.I.P. system.

SPECIAL TOOLS

Special tools required for this repair (previously furnished to dealers):

J-37090 Pinion and Valve Ring Protector J-29822 Pinion Seal Installer J-29810 Stub Shaft Seal Protector

SERVICE PROCEDURE

See the Instruction Sheet attached to this bulletin for installation of the Seal Service Kit.

NOTE: Based on a random inspection of returned steering gear assemblies, Saginaw Steering Gear Division has determined that a large number of these gears show no evidence of the Seal Service Kit being installed or that the kit was incorrectly installed prior to steering gear replacement. This data indicates that dealers are apparently not following the Service Procedure instructions for installation of the Seal Service Kit. The importance of correctly following these instructions and using the appropriate Special Tools to properly install the Seal Service Kit cannot be over-emphasized. The proper installation of this kit will correct the condition of temporary reduction of power steering assist when cold on most vehicles. Only in the infrequent event the Seal Service Kit does not correct this condition should installation of a replacement short gear assembly be necessary. Prior authorization from your Zone Office is still required for installation of a replacement short gear assembly. Order this part from the appropriate Service Parts Catalog and follow the service procedure in the applicable Service Information Manual.

NOTE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT DEALERS UTILIZE THE SERVICE PROCEDURE TRAINING VIDEO INIYIALLY PROVIDED IN JANUARY, 1988 TO ENSURE TECHNICIANS FAMILIARITY WITH THE SEAL SERVICE KIT INSTALLATION.

CREDIT

Credit will be issued upon receipt of a properly prepared warranty claim which includes information from one of the following Labor Operations:

Failure Part Parts Labor Labor Description Code Number Allowance Operation Hours ----------- ---- ------ ---------- --------- ----- Install Seal Service Kit

1985-1988 Cimarron 95 26010340 * T1292 4.1

1986-1988 De Ville, Fleetwood, Limousine 95 26010340 * T1292 2.8

1986-1988 Eldorado, Seville 95 26010340 * T1292 2.9

Replace Short Gear Assembly

1985-1986 Cimarron 95 # * T1482** 3.2

1986-1988 De Ville, Fleetwood, Limousine 95 # * T1482** 1.8

1996-1988 Eldorado, Seville 95 # * T1482** 1.9

Replace Short Gear Assembly Per Instruction Sheet

1985-1986 Cimarron 95 # * T1302*** 3.7

1986-1988 De Ville, Fleetwood, Limousine 95 # * T1302*** 2.3

1986-1988 Eldorado, Seville 95 # * T1302*** 2.4

# Use applicable GMSPO Part Number.

* The parts allowance (including power steering fluid) should be the total of the current GMSPO Net plus 30% for the part(s) required for this repair.

** This "T" Operation is only to be used if during the same or a subsequent service visit it is determined that the Seal Service Kit does not correct the condition.

*** This "T" Operation is only to be used if the steering gear is being replaced as a result of the directions detailed in the inspection procedures in the Seal Service Kit Instruction Sheet.

NOTE: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FROM YOUR ZONE OFFICE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR LABOR OPERATIONS T1482 AND T1302. ALL DEALER SELF-APPROVED CLAIMS WILL BE SUBJECT TO SUBSEQUENT ZONE REVIEW AND POSSIBLE CHARGE-BACK.

OWNER REIMBURSEMENTS FOR PREVIOUSLY INCURRED EXPENSES

Consideration should be given to owners of eligible vehicles who previously paid for repairs covered by this Special Policy Adjustment. In the event an owner requests reimbursement, the dealer should obtain the owner's original paid receipts or invoices to verify the expense. Owners should be advised to retain copies of these documents for their personal records before surrendering the originals. The dealer is to advise the owner that the invoices will be reviewed by a Cadillac Zone Representative and that the owner will be advised as quickly as possible of the amount that will be reimbursed. When a request is approved, the dealer is requested to issue the owner a reimbursement check.

Dealers will be credited for this reimbursement through the submittal of a Warranty Claim (to be submitted as one net amount with zone approval) as detailed below:

Failure Labor Labor Code Operation Hours SUB/MAT/TOW ---- --------- ----- ----------- 95 T1303 0 $XX.XX

RETURN OF STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLIES

To assure proper payment for work performed when steering gear assemblies are replaced under this special policy program, the following MUST be supplied with the returned assemblies:

A copy of the repair order including the VIN and the Labor Operation performed.

The dealer code of the dealer performing the service.

Refer to General Motors Parts Information Bulletin IB No. 87-161 and IB No. 86-117 for further shipping instructions. Steering gear assemblies returned for reasons other than this special policy need not include the above information.

NOTE: Random inspections of returned steering gear assemblies will occur to determine if Seal Service Kits were properly installed prior to replacement. If it is determined that the Service Procedure instructions were followed incorrectly, appropriate debit activity will be considered.

INSTRUCTION SHEET

FOR EFFECTIVE REPAIR, USE ALL PARTS IN KIT REGARDLESS OF ORIGINAL CONDITION.

SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR INSTALLING "SPECIAL" VALVE BODY RINGS ON RACK ND PINION ASSEMBLIES WITH HARD STEERIN ON INITIAL START-UP

READ INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Some complaints about the power steering system on initial start up may be reported as:

Reduced power steering assist when parking. Increased steering effort.

For further information, refer to the "Steering Diagnosis" section in vehicle service manual.

Tools Required:

J 37090 Pinion and Valve Ring Protector J 29822 Pinion Seal Installer J 29810 Stub Shaft Seal Protector

A. Remove rack and pinion assembly from car.

B. Valve removal:

1. Remove adjuster plug lock nut from adjuster plug. 2. Remove adjuster plug from housing. 3. Remove adjuster spring, rack bearing and O-ring if required. 4. Drain power steering fluid from gear. (Rotate stub shaft allowing rack to travel corner to corner for removal.) 5. Remove retaining ring from housing. 6. Remove dust cover from housing. 7. While holding the stub shaft, remove lock nut from pinion.

Important

If stub shaft is not held, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.

8. With gear centered, mark location of stub shaft flat or notch on housing and mea sure distance "A" indicated in Figure 3 for your specific vehicle; this will aid in proper reassembly.

Important

DO NOT hammer or pound on pinion and valve assembly, this could cause damage or loosen the drive pin.

9. Use an arbor press to press on threaded end of pinion until it is possible to remove the pinion and valve assembly from housing. Just before removal of pinion and valve assembly from housing, mark second location of stub shaft flat or notch on housing. The second mark is used to position flat or notch prior to reassembly. 10. Remove stub shaft dust seal, stub shaft seal, stub shaft bearing annulus assembly, pinion and valve assembly, with spool shaft retaining ring, and valve body rings attached. 11. Remove valve body rings from pinion and valve assembly.

Important

Use care wben removing rings from valve assembly to prevent damage to valve assembly.

12. Thoroughly clean valve assembly ring grooves.

Inspect

Inspect pinion and valve assembly for broken drive pin. If broken drive pin is found, replace the gear assembly.

Important

Use the same Housing and Valve Assembly regardless of depth of grooves in housing bore.

C. Install new split rings onto the valve assembly as follows:

Important

Valve assemblies and housings are NOT interchangeable. The same valve assembly MUST be reinstalled or rack and pinion assembly must be replaced.

Important

Apply a liberal quantity of grease supplied in kit, in each ring groove and to new valve body rings when installed to hold rings in position. (See Figure 7.)

1. Install new valve body rings to pinion and valve assembly. (Care must be taken not to cut rings at installation.) 2. Place pinion and valve assembly into clear pinion and valve assembly ring protector J 37090. (Be sure to use only the clear protector.) Allow to set for approximately three minutes while continuing installation preparation. This allows the valve rings to be properly sized. 3. Position valve assembly in protector so that valve body is flush with bottom of clear protector. (See Figure 8.)

Inspect

Inspect valve body rings for cuts, nicks or other damage, proper seating of rings in grooves and engagement of split tabs.

4. Rack must be centered in housing. (See Figure 3 on page 2.) 5. Wipe housing bore clean of any foreign material.

Important

Apply a liberal quantity of grease to the valve housing bore. Be sure to fill grooves with grease. This will ease reassembly of valve into housing.

Inspect

Inspect stub shaft bearing annulus for flatness and damage. Clean before reassembly.

6. Align stub shaft flat or notch with second mark on housing made during disassembly. (See step 9 on page 2.) Install pinion and valve assembly with spool shaft retaining ring, and valve body rings included, into housing using J 37090 to prevent damage to valve rings during assembly.

Important

Set pinion and valve assembly onto housing using J 37090. Use J 29822 pinion seal installer to push assembly into housing bore. DO NOT hammer or use excessive force. If pinion and valve assembly does not fully seat in housing, check to be sure valve body rings are not binding in housing bore. Check rings for cuts or damage. Repeat installation steps 1 through 5. If pinion and valve assembly will not align properly in housing bore, replace rack and pinion assembly.

Inspect

When pinion and valve assembly is fully seated, flat or notch in stub shaft and first mark on housing must line up while the rack is centered in the housing. Refer to measurement "A" to verify proper rack position. (See Figure 3.)

7. While holding the stub shaft, thread lock nut onto pinion and torque to 35 N-m (26 Lbs. Ft.).

Important

If the stub is not held, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.

8. Install dust cover to housing. 9. Install stub shaft bearing annulus onto stub shaft. 10. Place seal protector J29810 onto stub shaft. 11. Install stub shaft seal and stub shaft dust seal over protector and into housing. (Apply a small quantity of grease between seals and on top of dust seal.) 12. Install retaining ring into groove in housing. 13. Coat rack bearing, adjuster spring and adjuster plug with lithium base grease and install in housing. (See Figure 14.)

Adjust

With rack centered in the housing, turn adjuster plug clockwise until it bottoms in the housing, then back off 50 DEG to 70 DEG (approx. one flat). Check torque on pinion. Maximum pinion preload torque is 1.8 N-m (16 Lbs. In.).

14. Install adjuster plug lock nut to adjuster plug. Tighten firmly against housing while holding adjuster plug stationary. 15. Install rack and pinion assembly into car. (Use appropriate service manual.)

Important

Flush power steering system (hoses, reservoir and cooler lines) with power steering fluid - GM Part #1050017 (or equivalent meeting GM Specification #9985010). Disconnect return line at pump reservoir. (Refer to bleeding procedure in vehicle service manual.) Be sure pump reservoir fluid level is maintained during the flush procedure.

16. Reconnect return line at pump reservoir. 17. Fill with power steering fluid. 18. Bleed air from system.

Inspect

Inspect for leaks.

19. Check toe angle and reset if necessary.

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.