SQUEAK/SQUAWK TYPE NOISE WHILE STEERING (INSTALL RACK AND. Pontiac Grand Am 1995

SUBJECT: SQUEAK/SQUAWK TYPE NOISE WHILE STEERING (INSTALL RACK AND PINION SERVICE KIT)

MODELS: 1995-98 BUICK SKYLARK 1995-98 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 1995-98 PONTIAC GRAND AM

CONDITION:

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT A SQUEAK/SQUAWK TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.

CAUSE:

THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE PINION SHAFT SEAL ON THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY.

CORRECTION:

1. REFER TO CORPORATE BULLETIN 73-32-09 TO DETERMINE IF NOISE IS ORIGINATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN.

2. VERIFY THAT THE SQUEAK/SQUAWK NOISE IS IN THE STEERING GEAR BY DISCONNECTING THE COLUMN FROM THE RACK AND PINION AND MANUALLY TURNING THE STUB SHAFT.

3. IF NOISE IS CONFIRMED TO BE IN THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY, REMOVE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. REFER TO SERVICE PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE MANUAL.

4. INSTALL PINION SHAFT SEAL KIT, P/N 26032824.

5. INSTALL RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. REFER TO SERVICE PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE MANUAL.

6. ALIGN STEERING WHEEL.

7. RESET FRONT TOE OF VEHICLE. REFER TO SERVICE PROCEDURE IN THE SERVICE MANUAL.

PARTS INFORMATION:

P/N DESCRIPTION ============== ====================================

26032824 PINION SHAFT SEAL KIT

PART ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION LABOR OPERATION NUMBER DESCRIPTION TIME =============== ===================================== ===============

E9720 GEAR ASSEMBLY, POWER STEERING - R + R 1.2 HRS

ADD: TO REPLACE STUB SHAFT SEALS 0.5 HR

IMPORTANT: FOR CHECK AND ADJUST TOE-IN, REFER TO LABOR OPERATION E2000 AND ADD THE APPLICABLE TIMES TO THE REGULAR HOURS COLUMN.

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

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.