Recall - Loose Steering Pinion Gear Lock Nut: Overview
NO: SR-00-004REVDATE: October, 2000
MODEL: See below
SUBJECT:
STEERING GEAR PINION LOCK NUT TORQUE - SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN
This bulletin supersedes SR-00-004, issued in August, 2000, to increase Galant steering gear assembly replacement labor time. Revised information is marked.
PURPOSE
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) is voluntarily recalling affected vehicles for possible insufficient torque of the pinion lock nut on the steering gear assembly.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The lock nut which secures the pinion shaft in the steering rack housing may not be properly tightened. If the lock nut is not properly tightened, it could loosen and allow the steering control valve to become misaligned. If this occurs, steering wheel vibration, stiff steering, or, in worst cases, inability to turn left could result.
Check the steering gear pinion lock nut tightening torque as described in this bulletin. If the nut is not properly torqued, the steering gear assembly must be replaced.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
1999-2000 Galant models produced from 5/98 through 6/24/00
2000 Eclipse models produced from 4/99 through 6/24/00
2001 Eclipse Spyder models produced from 1/00 through 6/24/00
IMPORTANT
Affected inventory vehicles must be inspected/repaired before the vehicle is sold. Dealers must check their inventory vehicles' VINS on the Warranty Super Screen to verify whether the vehicle is an affected VIN for this recall campaign.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
A letter will be sent to all owners of affected vehicles telling them to bring their vehicle to their Mitsubishi Motors dealer to have the lock nut on their steering gear pinion shaft inspected. A sample copy of the customer notification letter appears later in this bulletin. Very few affected vehicles are expected to have a loose pinion nut. MMSA Dealers may perform this inspection and/or repair regardless of whether a customer has received a recall notification letter.
REQUIRED OPERATIONS
Before starting the PROCEDURE section of this bulletin, CHECK ON THE WARRANTY SUPERSCREEN to verify that the vehicle is an affected VIN for this campaign and that this recall campaign procedure has not already been completed.
PARTS INFORMATION
For customer vehicles, if parts are not available, provide the customer with alternate transportation, then contact the MMSA Customer Relations Department at 800-464-3535.
Replacement rate of steering gear assemblies is expected to be very minimal. Parts Managers are requested to order parts as needed.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Claims for this campaign must be entered as "C" type claims (E-5) on your Diamond Network Warranty Menu). Sample claim screens are shown.
Labor Operation No.: C0006AXX
Labor Time: 0.3 hrs. for Inspection Only-All Models
Labor Operation No.: C0006AXX
Labor Time for Inspection AND Steering Gear Assembly Replacement:
Other Additional Charges: No other charges may be claimed on this "C" type campaign claim.
Allowable Parts: Refer to the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin.
NOTICE:
DO NOT SCRAP ANY REPLACED STEERING GEARS. Dealers will receive a warranty parts return request notice for all replaced steering gears. All returned steering gears will be thoroughly inspected by MMSA engineering staff as well as the manufacturer. Claims for steering gears that were unnecessarily replaced will be subject to chargeback.
NOTE:
Any related rental car charges should be claimed on a separate "W" claim using operation number 37405000 on Line "A" for $0.00. Then enter the "Rentacar" operation on Line "B", along with the related rental car charges.
CAMPAIGN CLAIM SAMPLE - CAMPAIGN LABOR OPERATION = C0006AXX
RECALL CAMPAIGN CLAIM PARTS AND LABOR DETAIL INFO SCREEN:
RECALL CAMPAIGN CLAIM PARTS AND LABOR DETAIL INFO SCREEN: