SQUEAKING OR RUBBING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. Geo Prizm 1994

SUBJECT: SQUEAKING OR RUBBING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL (RETORQUE U-JOINT PINCH BOLT)

MODELS: 1993-95 GEO PRIZM

CONDITION:

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION OR WHEN STARTING OR STOPPING THE VEHICLE, A SQUEAK OR RUBBING NOISE MAY BE HEARD ORIGINATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT MAY SOUND LIKE A BEARING SQUEAK.

CAUSE:

DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING YOKE AND THE STEERING RACK INTO THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING YOKE MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED AND TORQUED TO THE STEERING RACK BEFORE THE STEERING RACK ATTACHMENT BOLTS WERE FULLY TORQUED TO THE FRONT-OF-DASH BULKHEAD. USING THIS ATTACHMENT BOLT TIGHTENING SEQUENCE MAY CAUSE A SIDE LOAD IN THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH CREATES THE SQUEAK. THE ASSEMBLY PLANT SEQUENCE AFTER 1995 MODEL YEAR VIN SZ029499 HAS BEEN CHANGED TO ASSURE THAT THE STEERING RACK IS FULLY TORQUED TO THE FRONT-OF-DASH BULKHEAD PRIOR TO TORQUING THE STEERING YOKE ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING RACK.

CORRECTION:

LOOSEN THE STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT PINCH BOLT (SHOWN BY THE ARROW IN THE ATTACHED DIAGRAM). THIS BOLT IS ACCESSIBLE FROM INSIDE THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN GOES THROUGH THE BULKHEAD. RETORQUE THE U-JOINT PINCH BOLT TO 27 N.M (20 LB. FT.) OF TORQUE.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE: LABOR OPERATION: E7783 LABOR TIME: 0.2 HR.

FIGURES: 1

Object Number: 94500 Size: MF

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.