CAMPAIGN:LOWER STEERING SHAFT. Geo Tracker

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 94C14 - LOWER STEERING SHAFT

1994 GEO TRACKER

TO: ALL CHEVROLET/GEO DEALERS

THIS IS A SUMMARY OF CHEVROLET CAMPAIGN NUMBER 94C14, ORIGINALLY ISSUED AS DCS ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE 01-460. THIS SUMMARY SUPERSEDES THE CHANGES AND UPDATES TO THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN AS NOTED IN DCS MESSAGES 01- 460, 01-461, 01-005, 01-010 AND 01-011.

THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT, AS AMENDED, PROVIDES THAT EACH VEHICLE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THIS TYPE MUST BE ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AFTER THE OWNER HAS TENDERED IT FOR REPAIR. A FAILURE TO REPAIR WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER TENDER OF A VEHICLE IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF FAILURE TO REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME.

IF THE CONDITION IS NOT ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THE OWNER MAY BE ENTITLED TO AN IDENTICAL OR REASONABLY EQUIVALENT VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE OR TO A REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE LESS A REASONABLE ALLOWANCE FOR DEPRECIATION.

TO AVOID HAVING TO PROVIDE THESE BURDENSOME SOLUTIONS, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO PROMPTLY SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH EACH OWNER AND TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU WILL SEE IN READING THE ATTACHED COPY OF THE LETTER THAT IS BEING SENT TO OWNERS, THE OWNERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IF THEIR DEALER DOES NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT REMEDIED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THEY ARE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

DEFECT INVOLVED

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 1994 GEO TRACKER MODEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A LOWER STEERING SHAFT THAT MAY SEPARATE DUE TO A MISLOCATED WELD. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD RESULT AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS CONDITION OCCURRING, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE STEERING SHAFT AND REPLACE IT AS REQUIRED.

NOTICE: THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN ANY MANNER UNTIL AFTER THEY ARE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED, IF REQUIRED. DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE OWNER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONDITION. VEHICLES REQUIRING REPAIR WILL THEN BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS CONDITION BY PHONE (SEE "OWNER NOTIFICATION" SECTION).

VEHICLES INVOLVED

INVOLVED ARE CERTAIN 1994 GEO TRACKER MODEL VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VIN BREAKPOINTS:

PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH

1994 TRACKER INGERSOLL "6" R6916461 R6921390

INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER COMPUTER LISTINGS. COMPUTER LISTINGS 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.

NOTICE: THE VIN RANGE HAS BEEN EXPANDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN NOTIFICATION. ALL INVOLVED UNITS MUST BE INSPECTED AND, IF REQUIRED, REPAIRED BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO ANY USE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CAMPAIGN IS COMPLETED, THE UNIT CAN BE RELEASED.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN ON THEIR VEHICLES BY THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER BY TELEPHONE. OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO OPERATE THEIR VEHICLE UNTIL AFTER INSPECTION AND, REPAIR IF REQUIRED. DEALERS ARE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO INSPECT VEHICLES AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE OWNER WAS INFORMED OF THE CONDITION.

WRITTEN OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL ALSO BE SENT AFTER TELEPHONE CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE (SEE COPY OF OWNER LETTER INCLUDED WITH THIS BULLETIN).

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

ALL UNSOLD NEW VEHICLES IN DEALERS' POSSESSION AND SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN MUST BE HELD AND INSPECTED/REPAIRED PER THE SERVICE PROCEDURE OF THIS CAMPAIGN BULLETIN BEFORE OWNERS TAKE POSSESSION OF THESE VEHICLES.

VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN ARE NOT TO BE OPERATED IN ANY MANNER (DEMO'S, ROADTESTS DURING PDI, ETC.) UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN SERVICE PROCEDURE IS COMPLETED. AFTER THE CAMPAIGN IS COMPLETED THE UNIT CAN BE RELEASED FOR DELIVERY OR USE HOWEVER THE DEALER DEEMS APPROPRIATE.

DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD.

OWNERS OF VEHICLES RECENTLY SOLD FROM YOUR NEW VEHICLE INVENTORY WITH NO OWNER INFORMATION INDICATED ON THE DEALER LISTING, ARE TO BE CONTACTED BY THE DEALER, AND ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO MAKE THE REQUIRED CORRECTION ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN. THIS COULD BE DONE BY MAILING TO SUCH OWNERS A COPY OF THE OWNERS LETTER ACCOMPANYING THIS BULLETIN. CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP CARDS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE, SINCE THE OWNER MAY NOT AS YET HAVE RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION LETTER.

AN OWNER SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN IS COMPLETED. THE UNIT IS TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR OR THE DEALER TECHNICIAN IS TO GO TO THE LOCATION OF THE UNIT.

IN SUMMARY, WHENEVER A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN ENTERS YOUR VEHICLE INVENTORY, OR IS IN YOUR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO BE SURE THE CAMPAIGN CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE BEFORE SELLING OR RELEASING THE VEHICLE.

PARTS INFORMATION

PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN ARE TO BE OBTAINED FROM GENERAL MOTORS SERVICE PARTS OPERATIONS (GMSPO). TO ENSURE THESE PARTS WILL BE OBTAINED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THEY SHOULD BE ORDERED FROM GMSPO ON A "C.I.O." ORDER WITH NO SPECIAL INSTRUCTION CODE, BUT ON AN ADVISE CODE (2).

- VEHICLES WITH POWER STEERING QUANTITY/ PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION VEHICLE 30010901 LOWER STEERING SHAFT 1

- VEHICLES WITHOUT POWER STEERING 30010900 LOWER STEERING SHAFT 1

SPECIAL INSPECTION GAUGE

EACH DEALER HAS BEEN SHIPPED AN INSPECTION GAUGE FOR USE IN THIS CAMPAIGN. THIS GAUGE WAS SENT TO DEALERS AT NO CHARGE BEGINNING DECEMBER 27, 1993 AND CONCLUDING JANUARY 14, 1994.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

1. RAISE VEHICLE HOOD AND INSTALL FENDER COVER.

2. LOCATE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. SHAFT IS #356 IN FIGURE 1 ON PAGE 3F1-2 OF 1994 GEO TRACKER SERVICE MANUAL.

3. LOCATE BELLOWS ON LOWER STEERING SHAFT (RIBBED AREA OF SHAFT).

4. PLACE GAUGE ON BELLOWS WITH TONGUE PAINTED RED FACING TOWARD STEERING COLUMN AS FOLLOWS:

FOR POWER STEERING VEHICLES, WHITE MARK ON GAUGE SHOULD BE PLACED ON FIRST FULL BELLOW (FIRST RIB) AT STEERING COLUMN END OF SHAFT (CLOSEST TO WINDSHIELD).

FOR NON-POWER STEERING VEHICLES, BLUE MARK ON GAUGE SHOULD BE PLACED ON FIRST FULL BELLOW (FIRST RIB) AT STEERING COLUMN END OF SHAFT (CLOSEST TO WINDSHIELD).

IN EITHER CASE, GAUGE SHOULD BE PLACED ON SHAFT SO THAT IT IS IN-LINE WITH STEERING COLUMN COUPLER (RAG JOINT) BOLT HEAD ON STEERING COLUMN.

5. WITH GAUGE IN POSITION, INSPECT FOR AIR GAP BETWEEN STEERING COLUMN COUPLER (RAG JOINT) BOLT HEAD AND RED TONGUE OF GAUGE.

- IF ANY GAP IS PRESENT, SHAFT IS CORRECT AND DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. IN CENTER OF BELLOWS, MARK SHAFT WITH WHITE PAINT. CONTINUE TO STEP 6 AND INFORM CUSTOMER THAT VEHICLE IS SAFE TO OPERATE.

- IF GAP IS NOT PRESENT, SHAFT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. REPLACE LOWER STEERING SHAFT FOLLOWING PROCEDURE ON PAGE 3F1-7 OF 1994 GEO TRACKER SERVICE MANUAL.

6. INSTALL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL.

7. REMOVE FENDER COVER AND CLOSE HOOD.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

EACH VEHICLE CORRECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS PRODUCT CAMPAIGN BULLETIN WILL REQUIRE A "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL". EACH LABEL PROVIDES A SPACE TO INCLUDE THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER AND THE FIVE (5) DIGIT DEALER CODE OF THE DEALER PERFORMING THE CAMPAIGN SERVICE. THIS INFORMATION MAY BE INSERTED WITH A TYPEWRITER OR A BALL POINT PEN.

EACH "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL" IS TO BE LOCATED ON THE RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT IN AN AREA WHICH WILL BE VISIBLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR PERIODIC SERVICING BY THE OWNER. ADDITIONAL "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABELS" CAN BE OBTAINED FROM DAC.

APPLY "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL" ONLY ON A CLEAN, DRY SURFACE.

CLAIM INFORMATION

SUBMIT A PRODUCT CAMPAIGN CLAIM WITH THE INFORMATION INDICATED BELOW:

* REPAIR FAILED PARTS LABOR LABOR OTHER NET PERFORMED PC PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC OP HOURS HOURS AMOUNT

INSPECT LOWER STEERING SHAFT -- --- -- SK-00 V8550 0.2 0.1 *** NO REPLACEMENT REQUIRED

INSPECT & REPLACE LOWER 1 30010901 ** SK-00 V8551 0.6 0.1 *** STEERING SHAFT

* CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATIVE ALLOWANCE. ADDITIONAL TIME FOR TECHNICIA OWNER'S LOCATION TO INSPECT VEHICLE IS TO BE ENTERED IN THE OTHER LABO

** THE "PARTS ALLOWANCE" SHOULD BE THE SUM TOTAL OF THE CURRENT GMSPO DEALER NET PRICE PLUS 40% OF ALL PARTS REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR.

*** THE AMOUNT IDENTIFIED IN THE "NET AMOUNT" COLUMN SHOULD REPRESENT THE ACTUAL COST FOR TOWING AND RENTAL EXPENSES REQUIRED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS CAMPAIGN.

DEALERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE CORRECT LABOR AND MATERIAL ALLOWANCE BASED ON THE LABOR OPERATION PERFORMED.

REFER TO THE CHEVROLET CLAIMS PROCESSING MANUAL FOR DETAILS ON PRODUCT CAMPAIGN CLAIM SUBMISSION.

FIGURES: 0

94C14

(NOTIFICATION USED BY CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION)

JANUARY, 1994

DEAR GEO TRACKER 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

WHAT WE WILL DO

TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS CONDITION OCCURRING, YOUR DEALER WILL TRAVEL TO YOUR VEHICLE'S LOCATION AND INSPECT THE STEERING SHAFT. IF REPAIR IS NECESSARY, YOUR VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A NEW STEERING SHAFT WILL BE INSTALLED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER MAY HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED OR WILL BE CONTACTING YOU REGARDING THIS CONDITION. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THEM, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER SO THAT A TIME CAN BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE DEALER INSPECT YOUR VEHICLE.

PLEASE DO NOT OPERATE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL YOUR DEALER CAN COME TO YOUR LOCATION TO INSPECT IT. IF NECESSARY, ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION, UNTIL YOUR VEHICLE IS INSPECTED/REPAIRED, CAN BE DISCUSSED WITH YOUR DEALER.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THIS INSPECTION/CORRECTION HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOUR DEALER AND PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE LABOR TIME NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS SERVICE CORRECTION IS APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. 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. HOWEVER, IF YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED ON THE AGREED SERVICE 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 366-0123).

THE ENCLOSED OWNER REPLY CARD IDENTIFIES YOUR VEHICLE. PRESENTATION OF THIS CARD TO YOUR DEALER WILL ASSIST IN MAKING THE NECESSARY INSPECTION/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.