CAMPAIGN: FRT./REAR SUSPENSION STRUTS MAY CRACK AT THE WELDS
Subject: FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION STRUTS
MODELS AFFECTED 1990 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (FAIRFAX BUILT ONLY)
General Motors has determined that certain Fairfax built 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix model vehicles may have right front or left and/or right rear suspension struts with low tensile strength at the piston to rod weld. This may result in a fatigue fracture at the piston to rod weld causing the vehicle to experience a "pounding" noise, degradation of ride quality and/or poor wheel alignment.
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, involved vehicles will either have the right front strut cartridge replaced, or both rear struts inspected and have one or both struts replaced if specific date codes are present.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain Fairfax built 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix model vehicles produced within the following VIN breakpoints:
Up To And Model Year Plant Beginning Including Inspect Repair ----- ---- ----- --------- --------- -------------- "W" 1990 Fairfax LF321556 LF321650 Rear Struts, Left & Right
"W" 1990 Fairfax LF321707 LF322530 Front Strut Right Only
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identifica- tion Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to the 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.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Pontiac Division (see copy of Owner Letter included with this bulletin).
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
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.
Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle.
Owners of vehicles recently sold from your new vehicle inventory are to be contacted by the dealer, and arrangements made to make the required correction according to instructions contained in this bulletin.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operation (GMSPO). To ensure that these parts are obtained as soon as possible, they should be ordered from GMSPO on a "C.I.O." order with no special instruction code, but on advise code (2).
Quantity Description Part Number Per Vehicle ----------- ----------- ------------ Strut Assembly - Rear Suspension 22064188 0-2 as (ONLY for use on vehicles required by LF321556-LF321650) inspection
Front Strut Cartridge 22074850 1 (ONLY for use on vehicles LF321707-LF322530 - right front strut to be replaced only)
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Rear Suspension Only FOR VEHICLES LF321556-LF321650: ------------------------------
1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Check first three digits of date code on both rear struts (see Figure). If first three digits for either rear strut are 192 or 193, follow steps 3-5 below. If another date code is present, install campaign identifica- tion label and return vehicle to customer or dealer stock.
3. Remove and replace any rear struts with above date codes. Use procedure on pages 3D-8 through 3D-10 of the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual.
4. Perform rear wheel alignment as instructed in section 3A of the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual.
5. Install Campaign Identification Label.
Front Suspension Only FOR VEHICLES LF321707-LF322530: ------------------------------ 1. Remove and replace right front strut cartridge as instructed on pages 3C-3 through 3C-4 of the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual.
2. Perform front wheel alignment as instructed in section 3A of the 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual.
3. Install Campaign Identification Label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle modified 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, the five digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service, and the date the vehicle was campaigned. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or ballpoint pen. Install the label only on a clean, dry surface of the radiator baffle where it is readily visible. (Additional campaign labels are available on stationery order as Form 7901-709).
CLAIM INFORMATION
A separate repair order must be used for each vehicle. A completed warranty claim is to be kept as a permanent record of completion.
DEALERS SHOULD SUBMIT WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR CREDIT IN THEIR NORMAL MANNER WHEN THEY PERFORM THE SERVICE AS FOLLOWS:
*Other Failure Labor Labor Labor Operation Code Operation Hours Hours -------- --------- ----- ----- Inspect Both Rear Struts - 96 V6380 0.2 0.1 No Further Action Required
Inspect Both Rear Struts - 96 V6381 0.7 0.1 Replace One Strut
Inspect Both Rear Struts - 96 V6382 1.0 0.1 Replace Both Struts
Replace Right Front Strut 96 V6383 1.1 0.1 Cartridge
* In addition, dealerships will receive 0.1 hours credit for dealer adminis- trative services associated with this campaign. The 0.1 hours allowance is to be entered in the "Other Labor Hours" field with each campaign repair listed for credit. This entry will not require authorization.
FAILURE CODE 96 MUST BE USED WITH THE LABOR OPERATION.
Parts required are to be listed in your warranty claim in the norma manner. Parts will be credited at dealer net plus 30% dealer handling allowance.
Dealers will be credited via Warranty Document or Terminal Transmission, which-ever is their normal method of submission for payment. Claim must contain all information required and should list the labor operation as outlined.
RECORDING COMPLETION
Repairs submitted for vehicles not involved in the campaign will not be paid. Campaign completion will be recorded from "PROPERLY COMPLETED AND PAID WARRANTY CLAIMS." Owners are being asked to present the owner reply card for identification to their dealer at the time they bring in their vehicle to have the campaign performed.
Dear Pontiac Owner:
This notice has been sent to inform you that Pontiac Division is conducting a recall campaign that includes your vehicle.
REASON FOR RECALL
General Motors has determined that certain 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix model vehicles may have right front or left and/or right rear suspension struts with low tensile strengths at the piston to rod weld. This may result in a fatigue fracture at the piston to rod weld causing the vehicle to experience a "pounding" noise, degradation of ride quality, and/or poor wheel alignment.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your vehicle will either have the front strut cartridge replaced, or have both rear struts inspected and have one or both struts replaced if specific date codes are present. These services will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and the labor time necessary to perform this service inspection/correction is approximately one hour. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
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 continued satisfaction with our products.
PONTIAC DIVISION General Motors Corporation
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.
