STEERING STOP CLUNK NOISE EXPLANATIONS & FIX

SOME OWNERS MAY OBJECT TO A "CLUNKING" SOUND IN THE POWER AND MANUAL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT TO THE END OF TRAVEL. THIS IS DUE TO THE POWDERED METAL RACK GUIDE CONTACTING THE END OF THE HOUSING WINDOW OPENING. THIS CONTACT CONSTITUTES THE GEAR "STOP" AND IS NOT A MALFUNCTION, BUT CAN BE AN ANNOYANCE TO THE OWNER. A REDESIGNED RACK GUIDE IS SCHEDULED TO ENTER PRODUCTION MID OCTOBER 1981. THE NEW GUIDE IS MADE OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL AND THE GUIDE BEARING IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE NEW RACK GUIDE. THE NEW GUIDE HAS TUBULAR CORNERS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SOUND DEADENING, WHICH TEND TO PERMANENTLY DEFORM AFTER USE. THE DEFORMATION IS NOT DETRIMENTAL TO FUNCTION AND SHOULD NOT BE A REASON FOR REPLACING THE GUIDE. THE NEW DESIGN RACK GUIDE (P/N 7841034) WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH GMWDD APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 1, 1981.

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.