STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL VEH. W/SIR OR REDUNDANT S.W.C.

Models Affected: 1988 - 1990 FIREBIRD AND GRAND PRIX MODELS

When removing the steering wheel from an automobile equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system or redundant steering wheel radio controls, the two wheel-puller bolts from J-1859-03 may penetrate the SIR coil assembly or redundant control components located below it if they are inserted too far into the steering wheel hub. This may result in SIR system or redundant control component damage and unnecessary repair.

The steering wheel hub design has been changed to permit penetration of only four to six threads of the wheel-puller bolts into the steering wheel hub holes of SIR and redundant radio control equipped automobiles. This will aid in preventing the wheel-puller bolts from hitting the coil assembly or control component, however, you must be careful not to apply excessive torque to these bolts. on vehicles built before this change was implemented, you must be careful to insert the wheel-puller bolts only four to six threads deep to prevent the bolts from going all the way through the hub.

Tool J-38720 (steering wheel puller bolts) is designed with only enough threads to give adequate retention and avoid unnecessary damage as listed above. Tool J-38720 has been classified essential and is scheduled for shipment May, 1990.

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.