ATTENTION 97-98 grand prix owners another RECALL

[93cutty]

So yesterday I was turning left and my steering wheel got really hard to turn like I lost my power steering. Today I serched the web and found this from the NHTSA.

 

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:

CHEVROLET / CAVALIER 1996-1998

 

CHEVROLET / LUMINA APV 1996

 

CHEVROLET / VENTURE 1997-1998

 

OLDSMOBILE / SILHOUETTE 1996-1998

 

PONTIAC / GRAND PRIX 1997-1998

 

PONTIAC / SUNFIRE 1996-1998

 

PONTIAC / TRANSPORT 1996-1998

 

Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date : NOV 01, 2002

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 02V286000 EA02003

NHTSA Action Number: EA02003

 

Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1159156

 

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence:

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

 

 

I called pontiac and they said the recall was just started yesterday. He gave me a work order said it would be taken care of without waiting for a recall letter.

[Andrew]

<---- goes to look for his build date.

 

:EDIT: where do i find it?? do they have to run the VIN?

[jeremy]

<----glad he has a '99

[ManicMechanic]

Andrew - inside driver's door jamb.

[Andrew]

thats the first place i looked, nothing there. there isnt even a VIN sticker.

[CSI_MuNkY]

How about on the sticker on the bottom of the trunk lid? I can't remember if its there or not...

 

Jamie

[93cutty]

Just call pontiac and give them your vin. When they ran mine it showed two recalls. One being the valve cover gasket "fixed by the way" and the other was the rack and pinion.

[93cutty]

I just reread that recall above and it says "OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003" I wonder why the guy at pontiac told me that this was a new recall. So that means that your car might have been fixed already unless you are the original owner and know that it hasn't. When they run your vin it should say if it has been fixed yet.

[sl3196]

Ya that is an old recall. I took my sister's old 97 gtp in years ago for that.

[Andrew]

yeah i checked every tag i could find. the one in the trunk has the option codes, but no build date. i'll just call my local GM dealer.

[cutlassdude96]

not even on the drivers door jam