Dealer Letter - (Quebec and the Four Atlantic Provinces)
May, 1988To:
Selected Ford of Canada Dealers (Dealers in Quebec and the four Atlantic Provinces)
Attention:
Dealer Principal, Dealer Service Manager, Dealer Parts Manager
Subject:
Owner Notification Program M63 - Certain 1984 to 1987 Model Tempo/Topaz Cars Equipped With Power Rack and Pinion Steering - Input Shaft Seal Leakage
In CARES / OASIS -
NO
NOTE:
Please read and circulate these instructions to your Service and Parts Personnel. Technical questions should be directed to your Technical Assistance Hotline.
Vehicles Affected
All power steering equipped 1984-86 Tempo/Topaz cars and 1987 Kansas City manufactured Tempo/Topaz cars equipped with power steering sold or operated for extended periods in the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
NOTE:
1987-Model Tempo and Topaz cars produced at the Oakville Assembly Plant are not covered by this program as these cars were not assembled with the potentially affected steering gear assemblies.
Reason For This Program
We have found that the power steering fluid leak may occur at the input shaft seal on cars operated in the designated areas where extremely high concentrations of road salt are used. Salt spray may enter the steering gear input shaft seal cavity corroding the input shaft. This can deteriorate the sealing lips of the input shaft dust and pressure seals resulting in power steering fluid leakage. This external fluid leakage may be perceived by some vehicle operators as a progressive reduction in power steering assist along the pump aeration noise and visual evidence of fluid leaks.
Program Provision/Limitations
Owners of involved vehicles (those sold by dealers in Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces) will be notified and informed of the Program. They will be advised that steering gear assemblies exhibiting input shaft seal leaks will be replaced at no charge for 5 years or 80,000 kilometers from the vehicle's in-service date or through October 31, 1988 whichever provides the greater coverage.
Components Covered By The Program
^ Complete power rack and pinion steering gear assembly.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Replaced gear assemblies are to be returned together with the completed copy of the Form 1864 to the Warranty Parts Evaluation Centre.
^ Steering gear mounting clamps (3E552), and power steering hoses, are covered under the program if replacement is necessary due to an inability to remove the component.
^ The program does not provide for repair or replacement of:
- outer tie rod ends
- power steering pump fittings
- correction of any other leaks (only input shaft seal leakage is covered by replacement of the steering gear assembly)
Owner Refunds
Owners who have paid for a steering gear assembly or repair as a result of this condition prior to the announcement of this program will be refunded the cost of parts and labor, including any deductible charges. Refund requests must be submitted to a dealer by October 31, 1988.
Action By Ford
The enclosed listing identifies vehicles involved in this program that were delivered to your dealership. Technical and administrative instructions are provided on "Attachment I". Owners of involved vehicles will be sent a copy of one of the letters included in this bulletin.
CARES / OASIS
Although this program will not be contained within CARES or OASIS, you should verify through these systems if a vehicle involved in this program has any outstanding recalls. You should attempt to complete all uncompleted recalls and program service actions during a single visit by the owner.
Your service and parts personnel should be provided with this package so they may become familiar with the program and be able to respond to owner inquiries.
Your cooperation in the timely and effective administration of this program is appreciated.