Recall - Tie Rod End Nut Under-Torqued: Overview
File In Section: Product RecallsBulletin No.: 02058
Date: November, 2002
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:
02058 - TIE ROD END NUT UNDER-TORQUED
MODELS:
2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
2003 GMC SAVANA
General Motors is contacting customers of involved vehicles via telephone. Customers are being instructed to call their dealer to have their vehicle towed into the dealership. Dealers are to make arrangements to have the vehicle towed and are to provide the customer with courtesy transportation until the recall can be performed on their vehicle.
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 model year Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. These vehicles have a condition where the right-hand tie rod end nut may not be torqued to specification. A tie rod end nut that is not torqued to specification can loosen, resulting in separation of the tie rod from the steering knuckle. Separation of a tie rod can cause unexpected steering input in some maneuvers and could cause a crash without prior warning.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to torque the tie rod end nut to the proper specification, and if necessary, replace the tie rod end.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 2003 model year Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints shown.
IMPORTANT:
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) before beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and will be furnished to involved dealers at a later date. The customer name and address data will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO Customer Special Order.
IMPORTANT:
Due to the very small number of vehicles that are expected to require tie rod ends, dealers are asked to order only after inspection determines that a part is required.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The following service procedure is for inspecting the nut that attaches the RIGHT side outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. The procedure also instructs you to verify the left side torque specification. See the Steering Section of the service manual if additional information is needed.
1. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist and support.
2. Visually inspect the nut on the RIGHT outer tie rod end at the steering knuckle.
^ If the RIGHT tie rod end nut is MISSING, or if the threads are NOT visible on the top side of the tie rod end nut, then replace the tie rod end. Proceed to step 3 if tie rod end replacement is necessary.
^ If the nut is present and some of the threads on the tie rod end stud are visible on the top side of the nut, verify that it has been tightened to 63 Nm (47 lb-ft) by using a torque wrench. At this time, verify that the nut attaching the left side tie rod end to that knuckle has been tightened to the same specification. Proceed to the last step of this procedure and install the GM Recall Identification Label.
3. Remove the nut, if present, from the tie rod end and separate the tie rod stud from the steering knuckle.
Important
Retain the removed tie rod end in the next step until you receive a return request from the Warranty Parts Center.
4. Loosen the adjuster nut approximately one turn and unscrew the tie rod end from the steering gear.
5. Screw the new tie rod end on the steering gear until it is approximately one thread away from contacting the adjuster nut.
6. Install the tie rod end stud in the steering knuckle and install the new attaching nut. Tighten the nut to 63 Nm (47 lb-ft). At this time, verify that the nut attaching the left side tie rod end to that knuckle has been tightened to the same specification.
7. Tighten the adjuster nut to 68 Nm (50 lb-ft).
8. If the new tie rod end has a grease fitting, apply grease as necessary.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Check the alignment and set toe-in as necessary.
11. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.
RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL - For US and IPC
Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.
Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Recall Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow adhesion of the clear protective covering.
Additional Recall Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by either ordering on the web from DWD Store, gm-dealerworld.com, or calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Request Item Number S-1015 when ordering.
Additional Recall Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.
RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL - For CANADA
Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.
Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. Additional Recall Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.
COURTESY TRANSPORTATION
The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product recall is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information shown.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION - For US and CANADA
Dealers are requested to notify customers of this recall and arrange to have the vehicle towed to the dealership. General Motors will also contact customers and notify them of this recall on their vehicles by telephone and letter (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin).
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION - For IPC
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the sample letter.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY - For US and IPC (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY - ALL
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers, a copy of the customer letter shown in this bulletin. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
DISCLAIMER