VEHICLE MAY LEAD OR PULL (DIAGNOSE/SERVICE PROCEDURE). Pontiac Grand Am 1992

SUBJECT: VEHICLE MAY LEAD OR PULL (DIAGNOSE/SERVICE PROCEDURE)

MODELS: 1992-94 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, CORSICA AND BERETTA 1992-94 PONTIAC SUNBIRD AND GRAND AM 1992-94 BUICK SKYLARK 1992-94 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY EXPERIENCE THAT THE VEHICLE MAY LEAD OR PULL.

CORRECTION:

DO NOT REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR TO FIX A LEAD OR PULL ON 1993-94 VEHICLES AS THIS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT MAY TEMPORARILY MASK THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE HIGHER INTERNAL FRICTION IN THE NEW GEAR. HOWEVER, THE CONDITION WILL RESURFACE WHEN THE GEAR IS WORN IN WITH MILEAGE.

ON 1992-94 VEHICLES, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE SHOULD BE FOLLOWED FOR LEAD AND PULL CONDITIONS:

- CONSULT J/L/N LEAD/PULL CORPORATE BULLETIN #073002. PREVIOUS DIVISIONAL PUBLICATION NUMBERS WERE:

CHEVROLET - 92-50-3B PONTIAC - 92-3-3 OLDSMOBILE - 92-T-20 GM OF CANADA - 92-3-110

- CONSULT J/L/N MEMORY STEER CORPORATE BULLETIN #233303R. PREVIOUS DIVISIONAL PUBLICATION NUMBERS WERE:

CHEVROLET - 93-171-3B BUICK - 93-3-8 PONTIAC - 93-3-10 OLDSMOBILE - 93-T-60 GM OF CANADA - 93-3C-102

IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, CHECK SYSTEM FLOWS AND PRESSURES USING GAUGE J5176-D OR J25323-B. SYSTEM FLOW SHOULD BE 1.9 GPM - 2.3 GPM, BACK PRESSURE AT OR LESS THAN 100 PSI WITH WHEELS STRAIGHT AHEAD AND THE ENGINE AT IDLE. IF FLOWS OR PRESSURES ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION, LOOK FOR PINCHED OR CRIMPED STEERING HOSES AND CHECK FOR BLOCKAGES BY BLOWING AIR THROUGH THE STEERING LINES.

IF PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR 1992 V-6 VEHICLES ONLY, EVALUATE VEHICLE FOR STEERING SYSTEM INDUCED LEAD/PULL BY COASTING WITH VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE OFF. RESTART THE VEHICLE. A STEERING INDUCED LEAD/PULL WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT, ABRUPT PULL TO THE RIGHT. IF THIS OCCURS, REMOVE POWER STEERING COOLER LINES FROM THE STEERING SYSTEM, (REFER TO SECTION 3B IN THE SERVICE MANUAL). USE THE FOLLOWING HOSES TO CONNECT DIRECTLY FROM THE STEERING GEAR TO THE PUMP RESERVOIR INLET TUBE.

1. LH0 ENGINE (VIN T): POWER STEERING COOLER BY-PASS HOSE #26038210

2. LG7 ENGINE (VIN N): POWER STEERING COOLER BY-PASS HOSE #26031205

IF PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS ON 1992 VEHICLES ONLY, STEERING GEAR REPLACEMENT CAN BE ATTEMPTED. 1993-94 VEHICLES HAVE UPDATED STEERING RACKS AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT FOR LEAD/PULL CONDITIONS. ALSO ON 1993-94 VEHICLES, THERE ARE NO COOLER LINES; THEREFORE, THE ABOVE BY-PASS HOSES DO NOT APPLY. THIS IS THE LATEST INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD RESOLVE ANY LEAD/PULL CONDITIONS.

PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE ON NOVEMBER 8, 1993.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION NUMBER: T3385 LABOR TIME: 0.6

FIGURES: 0

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.