Recall - Steering Linkage Centerlink Replacement
87ford13
NUMBER: 87S23
March, 1987
To: Selected North American Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers and Affiliated Ford Motor Companies
Subject: Safety Recall 87S23 - Certain 1987 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car Vehicles Equipped with 5.0 Liter Engines for Replacement of the Steering Linkage Centerlinks
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
Production Date
Affected Vehicles Assembly Plant From Through
Ford Crown Victoria/ St. Thomas 12/3/86 1/12/87
Mercury Grand Marquis (With 5.0 Liter Engines)
Lincoln Town Car Wixom 12/5/86 1/12/87
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT:
Ford Motor Company has determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the vehicles described above. On some of these vehicles, steering linkage centerlinks with metal forming defects may have been installed. As a result, the centerlinks could fracture in service, without prior warning to the driver. Should a fracture occur, the driver will experience considerable free play in the steering system and substantially diminished steering control. Under certain circumstances, a vehicle crash could result.
To correct this condition, a new centerlink is to be installed an each of the affected vehicles.
NOTIFICATION OF OWNERS/DEALERS ACTIONS:
Some Lincoln Town Car vehicles may also be involved in Safety Recall 87S24. This recall provides for the replacement of the steering linkage idler arm assembly. For Dealers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands - To determine vehicle eligibility, please use "CARES". If a vehicle is involved in recalls 87S23 and 87S24, perform the recall services during one dealer visit and submit separate Form 1864 claims for reimbursement.
The enclosed list identifies vehicles delivered to your dealership which are involved in this recall. Other eligible vehicles may be brought to your dealership by their owners for this recall service. Those units also are to be corrected as promptly as possible. If the owner of any eligible vehicle does not have a Customer Notification and Dealer Claim Form (FED-1864 or FCS-1864), a blank Form 1864 should be completed by you and entered for reimbursement.
Vehicle owners whose names and addresses are shown on the enclosed recall listing are being notified by First Class Mail. If you have knowledge that a suspect vehicle has been sold, but the owner's name aud address does not appear on the listing, please contact the owner immediately and provide him a copy of the owner letter. If the owner of any vehicle cannot be contacted or does not make an appointment to have his vehicle corrected, advise your supervising Ford location of the owner's name and address so that we can handle further notification.
If no vehicle listing is enclosed, you are not involved at this time, and this Service Recall Bulletin is for information only.
DEALER OBLIGATIONS:
Dealers are obligated to perform this recall service promptly following presentation of the vehicle by the owners. United States law requires that we advise owners in the Commouwealth of Puerto Rico and certain territories of the procedure to be followed by them in informing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if the defect is not corrected without charge within a reasonable time after the vehicle is brought in. This notice is included in the owner letter (copy attached) to be sent to owners in Puerto Rico,. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Canal Zone, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. It is also important, however, that you promptly report (to your supervising location or Wixom) any instances in which an owner will not allow you to complete this recall because of objections to delays in scheduling, or for any other reason.
For any suspect vehicle received and already delivered to an owner, it is imperative that you contact the owner immediately, and advise the owner to return the vehicle to your dealership without delay for the correction.
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Refer to the 1987 Car Shop Manual, Volume A, Page 13-20-2 for centerlink replacement procedures. These are shown in Attachment 1.
PARTS REQUIREMENTS:
A limited number of parts are being direct shipped to dealers having involved vehicles. Additional parts, as required, are to be ordered directly from Wixom. Do not order recall parts from Windsor Export Supply. Order all requirements directly from Wixom using the mailing address on page No. 1 of this Bulletin. For more urgent handling, use cable address "RECALLS - FORDEX, WIXOM, MICHIGAN. For locations having telex facilities, our telex Ford private line code is FED and commercial telex code is 71 669777 answerback Ford DMO WIX. Our telephone number in Wixom, Michigan, is area code (313) 344-5641. Please give the part number, description, quantity and recall number when ordering.
Part Number Description Class Customs Value
D9AZ-3304-A Centerlink BG $25.61
FIG. 1 - Steering Linkage:
Center Link
Replace the center link, connecting the pitman arm and the idler arm when it is damaged or worn at the ball studs (Fig. 1).
Removal
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist, and install safety stands. Refer to the Pre-Delivery manual Section 50-04.
2. Remove the cotter pins and nuts that attach the inner tie rod ends to the center link (Fig. 1). Discard cotter pin.
FIG. 2 - Ball Stud Removal from Center Link:
3. Disconnect the inner tie rod ends from the center link using Tie Rod Ball Ends and Control Valve Ball Stud Remover TOOL-3290-C or equivalent (Fig. 2).
4. Remove the cotter pin and nut that attach pitman arm to the center link. Disconnect pitman arm from the center link using Tie Rod Ball Ends and Control Valve Ball Stud Remover TOOL 3290-C or equivalent and remove the center link.
5. Remove the cotter pin and nut attaching the idler arm to the center link, and remove the center link. Discard cotter pin.
Installation
1. Position the center link to the pitman arm and idler arm, and loosely install the attaching nuts. Place the idler arm and the front wheels in the straight-ahead position to maintain steering wheel alignment and prevent bushing damage. Tighten the nuts to 59-63 N-m (43-47 ft.lb.). Continue to tighten the nuts until the slots in the nuts align with the holes in the stud. Install new cotter pins.
2. Place the tie rod ends on the center link, and install the attaching nuts. Tighten the nuts to 59-63 N-m (43-47 ft.lb.). Continue to tighten the nuts until the slots in the nuts align with the holes in the stud. Install a new cotter pin.
FIG. 1 - Steering Linkage:
3. Remove the safety stands, and lower the vehicle. Check toe, adjust if necessary. Refer to Section 14-01.
Loosen the clamps from the sleeve, and oil the sleeve, clamps, bolts, and nuts. Position the clamps (Fig. 1, Section A). Tighten the clamp nuts to 28-29 N-m (20-22 ft.lb.).
LABOR ALLOWANCES:
Replace Centerlink . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 Hrs. Insert in Box "B" on Form 1864 (Includes Inspection, Adjusting Toe and Steering Wheel Spoke Position)
Administrative Allowance . . . . . . . . .0.1 Hrs.
The 0.1 Hour Administrative Allowance must be added to the repair time before inserting the total labor time in the correct box.
REPORTING OF COMPLETIONS:
Only the Form 1864 will be accepted for reimbursement on this program. Upon completion of the required service, the Form 1864 must be completely filled out and signed by authorized dealer personnel. Dealers must mail the second copy of the Form 1864 for reimbursement. It is important that all claims be submitted for all completed units so that you will be reimbursed and our records will show completion. Any problem encountered with this recall should be reported to your supervising Ford location or this office.
SAFETY RECALL 87S23 - CERTAIN 1987 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0 LITER ENGINES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE
STEERING LINKAGE CENTERLINKS
Dear Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford Motor Company has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1987 Lincoln Town Car vehicles.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL:
On some of these vehicles, certain steering linkage components (centerlink and idler arm bracket) may have been improperly manufactured. One of these components could break without warning while the car is being driven. Should this occur, steering control would be adversely affected. In some cases, driver would experience considerable looseness in the steering system and a vehicle crash could result.
At no cost to you, your dealer will replace the centerlink and idler arm on your car. The time needed to perform this service is less than two hours. Dealers have instructions and a quantity of parts for performing the service.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
Please call your dealer without delay and ask for a service date. When you bring your car in, give the attached forms to the dealer. If you misplace the forms, your dealer will still do the work, free of charge. If you are no longer the owner, please fill out Section 1 of the enclosed prepaid postcards and mail them to us.
If the dealer does not make the repair promptly and without charge, please complete Section 3 of the prepaid postcards and mail them to us. You may also send a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline 800-424-9393.
We regret the inconvenience this service may cause you; but, we want you to have the work completed for your safety and satisfaction with your Ford-built car.
SAFETY RECALL 87S23 - CERTAIN 1987 FORD CROWN VICTORIA, MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS AND LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0 LITER ENGINE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING LINKAGE CENTERLINKS
Dear Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford Motor Company has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1987 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car vehicles.
REASONS FOR THIS RECALL:
On some of these vehicles, a steering linkage component, called a centerlink, may have a forming defect on the outer surface of the metal. This defect could cause the centerlink to break while the car is being driven. Should this occur, the driver will experience considerable free play in the steering system and substantially diminished steering control. Under certain circumstances, a vehicle crash could result.
At no cost to you, your dealer will replace the centerlink on your car. The time needed to perform this service is less than one hour. Dealers have instructions and a quantity of parts for performing the service.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
Please call your dealer without delay and ask for a service date. When you bring your car in, give the attached form to the dealer. If you misplace the form, your dealer will still do the work, free of charge. If you are no longer the owner, please fill out Section 1 of the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us.
If the dealer does not make the repair promptly and without charge, complete Section 3 of the prepaid postcard and mail it to us. You may also send a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline 800-424-9393.
We regret the inconvenience this service may cause you; but, we want you to have the work completed for your safety and satisfaction with your Ford-built car.