CLUNK FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN TURNING & LOOSE STEERING

SUBJECT: CLUNK FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN TURNING AND/OR LOOSE FEEL IN STEERING (NEW TORQUE PREVAILING NUTS)

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1987-90 J/N/L

Customers may comment about a "clunk" or other noise from the engine compartment when turning, and may also comment about a slight feeling of looseness in the steering system.

As part of troubleshooting, inspect the steering gear to front of dash clamp retaining nuts. If it is determined that the nuts are loose, replace them with new torque prevailing nuts, P/N 22552523. The nuts should be tightened to 32 N.m (24 ft.lbs.) per Service Manual procedure (tighten LH or drivers side first, then tighten RH side).

These new nuts are being installed in Production starting with the following VIN breakpoints:

PONTIAC N LANSING LC339330 OLDSMOBILE N LANSING LM758958 BUICK N LANSING LM059995

CHEVROLET L WILMINGTON L228554 CHEVROLET L LINDEN L188256

CHEVROLET J LORDSTOWN L168446 PONTIAC J LORDSTOWN L601342 CHEVROLET J JANESVILLE L244293

Parts are currently available from CANSPO.

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.