FRONT STRUT MOUNT NOISE REMOVE MOUNT CUSHION STIFFENER

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1990 CHEVROLET, BUICK AND OLDS. W-CAR

Some 1990 W-cars assembled prior to VIN breakpoints and with suspension levels indicated below may exhibit an audible squeaking/itching noise coming from the front of the vehicle during a turning maneuver.

Marketing Suspension VIN Division Level Breakpoint --------- ----- ----------- Chevrolet All Levels L9153753 (Oshawa 1) L1137308 (Oshawa 1)

Buick Base L1402187

Oldsmobile All Levels LD322460

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 J35668, on strut rod and 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 ft.lbs.)

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

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

15. Repeat steps 3 through 13 on strut on opposite side of vehicle.

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.