CAMPAIGN: LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT. Chevrolet Impala 1995

Subject: PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 96-C-14(a) - LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT --- Supplement --- -----------------------------------------------------------

Model/Year: 1995-96 CHEVROLET CAPRICE/IMPALA POLICE SEDANS (SEO 9Cl), TAXI CAB (SEO 9C6) AND SPECIAL SERVICE WAGON (SEO lA2) AND RETAIL UNITS -----------------------------------------------------------------

To: All Chevrolet Dealers

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This bulletin supplements Product Safety Campaign 96-C-14 issued February, 1996. Specifically, the Vehicles Involved section has been revised to reflect the addition of retail (non-police/taxi) passenger units and the Service Procedure has been revised to reflect a final ball joint nut torque range. Additionally, a revised owner letter is attached. The revised information is printed in bold type. This supplement should be filed with your campaign materials.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 199S-96 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala Police Sedans, Taxi Cabs, Special Service Wagons and Retail Passenger vehicles (sedans & wagons) built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- -------

1995 B-Car(SEO) Arlington "R" SR100003 SR191795 1996 B-Car(SEO) Arlington "R" TR100043 TR108199 1995 B-Car(RETAIL) Arlington "R" SR145137 SR192511 1996 B-Car(RETAIL) Arlington "R" TR100001 TR108197

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. SUPPLEMENTAL computer listings for retail units 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.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

INSPECTION - NUT TORQUE (To Be Performed On Both Sides) -------------------------------

3. Utilizing a clicker type torque wrench set at 60 Nm (44 lb. ft.) and while attempting to tighten lower ball stud nut, determine which of the following conditions exists and proceed as required:

A.) Torque Wrench Clicks Prior To Nut Rotation [Nut torqued to more than 60 Nm (44 lb. ft.) as installed]

I. Reset torque wrench to between 95 Nm (70 lb. ft.) to 112 Nm (83 lb. f t.) Tighten ball joint nut until wrench clicks.

8. NO GAP: (Ball stud IS NOT seated in knuckle)

Replace knuckle and lower ball stud following applicable Service Manual Procedure, Section 3C-3, Front suspension. Check and adjust wheel alignment and toe-in after new knuckle and lower ball stud is installed. Proceed to Step 10.

GAP: (Ball stud is seated in knuckle)

Tighten nut and torque to between 95 Nm (70 lb. ft.) to 112 Nm (83 lb. ft.) , then tighten nut enough to align slot in nut with hole in ball stud and install new cotter pin. Nut rotation to align cotter pin hole is not to exceed one flat (60 degrees).

April 9, 1996

Dear Chevrolet Caprice/Impala 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 decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1995-96 Chevrolet Caprice/Impala vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint attachment nut may be loose. This condition can cause the lower control arm ball joint to loosen, fatigue and separate from the front suspension knuckle. If separation were to occur with the vehicle in motion, loss of vehicle control may occur which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.

WHAT WE WILL DO

To correct this condition, all involved vehicles will have both front lower control arm ball joint attachment nuts inspected for proper torque. If the ball joint has loosened from the knuckle, both the ball joint and knuckle will be replaced. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Please contact your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and so they may inspect your vehicle and if necessary order the necessary parts for the repair. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and parts are available. The labor time necessary to perform this inspection/service correction is approximately 20 minutes to 3 1/2 hours. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.

Your Chevrolet dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure 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 Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center by calling 1-800-222-1020.

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 202-366-0123).

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.

Chevrolet Motor Division GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

Enclosure

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.