CAMPAIGN:LOWER STEERING SHAFT. Geo Tracker

Models: 1994 Geo Tracker and Pontiac Sunrunner

TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS

General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that certain 1994 Geo Tracker and Pontiac Sunrunner model 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 as required.

NOTICE: These vehicles should not be driven 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 are being notified of this condition by phone (see "Owner Notification" section).

VEHICLES-INVOLVED:

Involved are certain 1994 Geo Tracker and Pontiac Sunrunner models built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Year Model Plant Plant Code From Through

1994 Geo Tracker Ingersoll "6" R6917578 R6921864 1994 Pontiac Sunrunner Ingersoll "6" R6917582 R6921868

NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 45 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.

All affected vehicles have been identified by the VIN listing provided to involved dealers with this bulletin. Any dealer not receiving a listing was not shipped any of the affected vehicles.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY:

All unsold new vehicles in dealer's 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.

Dealers are to perform this campaign on all involved vehicles at no charge to owners, regardless of kilometres traveled, 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 instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such owners a copy of the owner 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.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used 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.

CAMPAIGN PROCEDURE:

Refer to Section 4 of the Service Policies and Procedures Manual for the detailed procedure on handling Product Campaigns. Dealers are requested to complete the campaign on all transfers as soon as possible.

OWNER NOTIFICATION:

Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles, by the Customer Assistance Centre, by phone. Owners are being instructed not to operate their vehicle until after inspection and, if required, repair. 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 phone contact has been made (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).

PARTS INFORMATION:

Parts required to complete this campaign should be ordered through regular channels, as follows:

Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle

30010901 Lower Steering Shaft - Vehicles 1 With Power Steering

30010900 Lower Steering Shaft - Vehicles 1 Without Power Steering

SPECIAL INSPECTION GAUGE

Each Dealer will be shipped an inspection gauge for use in this campaign. This gauge will be sent to dealers, at no charge, during the week of December 27, 1993.

Due to supply of gauges, dealers which records indicate have sold vehicles will be shipped tools first. Remaining dealers will be provided gauges as they become available.

PARTS AND LABOUR CLAIM INFORMATION:

Credit for the campaign work performed will be paid upon receipt of a properly completed campaign claim card or DCS transmission in accordance with the following:

Repair Code Description Time Allowance

1A Inspect Lower Steering Shaft - 0.3 No Replacement Req'd

2A Inspect Lower Steering Shaft - 0.7 Replace Shaft

Time allowance includes 0.1 hour for dealer administrative detail associated with this campaign. Parts credit will be based on dealer net plus 40% to cover parts handling.

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 facing toward steering column as follows:

For power steering vehicles, white mark on gauge should line up with first bellow (first rib) at steering column end of shaft.

For non-power steering vehicles, blue mark on gauge should line up with first bellow (first rib) at steering column end of shaft.

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 gap between steering column coupler (rag joint) bolt head and tongue of gauge.

If gap is present, shaft is correct and does not require replacement. In centre 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. Close hood and remove fender cover.

7. Install Campaign Identification Label.

INSTALLATION OF CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Clean surface of radiator upper mounting panel and apply a Campaign Identification Label. Make sure the correct campaign number is inserted on the label. This will indicate that the campaign has been completed.

General Motors of Canada bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer." They are written to inform these 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 your General Motors dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

January 1994

Dear General Motors Customer:

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your dealer will inspect the steering shaft and replace as required.

This service will be provided for you at no charge.

Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

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.