DIRECT & FORWARD CLUTCH FIBER PLATE USE-NEW PLATES

Models 1989 125C/HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 6000, SUNBIRD, Affected: GRAND AM, LEMANS AND GRAND PRIX

This bulletin cancels and replaces 89-7-1 issued 9188. This bulletin supersedes bulletin 89-7-25 issued 4189. This bulletin has been revised to include the following information in sections: Date of Production Change, Service Action and Service Parts Information:

BULLETIN COVERS:

Information on Smooth and Grooved surface Fiber Plates that are used in the Direct Clutch and Forward Clutch assemblies of all 1989 models.

DATE OF PRODUCTION CHANGE:

July 11, 1988 (Julian Date 193), the grooved fiber plates went into production for all THM 125/125C built in Willow Run and July 14, 1988 (Julian Date 196), for all Windsor built THM 125/125C transaxles. These plates were used in the Direct and Forward Clutch Assemblies.

Direct Clutch Assemblies with the smooth surface fiber plates went into production as an option to grooved Fiber Plates February 27, 1989 (Julian Date 058) for THM 125/125C/HYDRA-MATIC 3T40 transaxles.

Some THM 125C/HYDRA-MATIC 3T40 transaxles built after February 27, 1989 (Julian Date 058) may contain Grooved fiber plates in the Forward Clutch Assembly.

SERVICE ACTION:

Whenever service to any model THM 125/125C Hydra-Matic 3T40 built prior to July 11, 1988 (Julian Date 193) at Willow Run or July 14, 1988 (Julian Date 196) at Windsor is necessary, only smooth fiber plates should be used in the Direct and Forward Clutch Assemblies. Whenever service to any 1989 THM 125/125C Hydra-Matic 3T40 built prior to February 27, 1989 (Julian Date 058) is necessary, either grooved or smooth surface fiber plates may be used on both the Direct and Forward Clutch assemblies.

Whenever service to any 1989 THM 125C/HYDRA-MATIC 3T40 built after February 27, 1989 (Julian Date 058) is necessary, smooth fiber plates must be used in the Direct Clutch Assembly. Do not install grooved Fiber Plates in the Direct Clutch Assembly. Smooth fiber plates must always be used due to specific calibrations.

If service to the forward clutch is necessary, either grooved or smooth fiber plates may be used.

The following summarizes the above:

Model Year Original Plates Service Plates ---------- --------------- --------------- 1980-1988 Forward Clutch - Smooth Forward Clutch - Smooth Direct Clutch - Smooth Direct Clutch - Smooth

Early 1989 Forward Clutch - Grooved Forward Clutch - Either Prior to 2/27 Direct Clutch - Grooved Direct Clutch - Either (Julian Date 058)

Late 1989 Forward Clutch - Either Forward Clutch - Either After 2/27 Direct Clutch - Smooth Direct Clutch - Smooth

(Julian Date 058)

SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:

Refer to the following part numbers whenever ordering fiber plates for the Direct and/or Forward Clutch Assemblies:

Package Description Part No. -------------------- ---------- Overhaul, Package 8665949 This package can be used in all (with smooth plates) models built since model year S.O.P. 1986.

Fiber Plates (only) Direct 8643741 or Forward Clutch (smooth plates)

Parts are currently available through GMSPO.

When it is necessary to order Overhaul Packages for fiber plates be sure to order by the year the transaxle was built.

Part numbers 8665918 (Package-Overhaul Complete) and 8660168 (F'ber Plates) contain grooved plates which can be used in transaxles built with grooved plates. These part numbers will be superseded to the above part numbers after current stock is depleted.

SERVICE MANUAL REFERENCE:

Whenever service to the Direct and/or Forward Clutch is necessary, refer to the THM 125C/HYDRA-MATIC 3T40 Unit Repair Section of your Service Manual.

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.