SPECIAL POLICY: TEMPORARY REDUCTION/POWER STRG.-COLD

MODELS/YEARS 1985-88 FIRENZA, 1985-88 CUTLASS CIERA & CUTLASS CALAIS, 1986-88 EIGHTY-EIGHT, NINETY- EIGHT, TORONADO AND TROFEO

CONDITION

This Oldsmobile Dealer Technical Bulletin is being issued to include certain 1985-1988 model year vehicles in the temporary reduction of power steering assist when cold special policy (previously issued as bulletin 85-T-58 for certain 1982-85 model year vehicles). This bulletin supplements bulletins 85-T-58 dated Jan. 13, 1988, 85-T-58A dated April 1988, and 85-T-58B dated July 1988.

Some 1985-88 Oldsmobile models (as listed above) equipped with power steering may exhibit a temporary reduction of power steering assist when the vehicle is started cold. After a short period of engine operation, full assist is restored.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are 1985-87 Oldsmobile Firenzas, Cutlass Cieras, Cutlass Calais's, Ninety-Eights; and 1986-87 Eighty-Eights, Toronados, & Trofeos from Start to End of Production. Also involved are the 1988 models of the above vehicles from Start of Production through the following VIN breakpoints:

Model Model Name Plant Through and Including ----- ---------- ----- ---------------------

"J" Firenza Leeds JK308724

"N" Cutlass Calais Lansing JM248595

"A" Cutlass Ciera Framingham JG306227

Oshawa # 1 J9365964

Ste. Therese J2337334

"H" Eighty-Eight Wentzville J1830515 Willow Run JW365319

"C" Ninety-Eight Wentzville J1327171

Orion J4331110 "E" Toronado & Trofeo Hamtramck JU306708

Those Firenza models equipped with manual steering are not involved in this special policy.

SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT

This special policy covers the condition described above for a period of five (5) years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service regardless of ownership. Correction will consist of installation of a seal service kit.

This "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletin" should be filed in the three ring binder previously furnished to dealers by General Motors.

REIMBURSEMENT

Customer claims for reimbursement of reasonable charges for previously paid repairs to correct a temporary reduction of power steering assist when cold condition, are to be submitted using Labor Operation T4624 and Trouble Code 92. Total reimbursement amount requested should be shown in the sublet column. Do not list parts or labor. Zone authorization will NOT be required.

Claims must be supported by documentation that reasonably: (1) discloses the associated repair expenses incurred to correct a temporary reduction of power steering assist when cold condition, (2) identifies the entity or person who performed the repairs, (3) identifies the date of such repairs, and (4) discloses the amount of unreimbursed repair expenses actually paid by the owner. Owners must provide original or certified receipts that are to be retained in the dealer files.

Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted according to the Warranty Claim Information Instructions. Use the "Owner Reimbursement" labor operation and list all owner expenses concerning previous repairs in the net items column of the warranty claim.

Should instances occur where owners requesting reimbursement do not have proper documentation, or the dealer considers the owner's repair expense to be abnormally high, dealers should contact their zone personnel for a review of the owner's request.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Refer to prior bulletins:

85-T-58, 85-T-58A & 85-T-58B

88-T-52, 88-T-53, 88-T-80, 89-T-66

The Seal Service Kit (Part Number 26010340) is intended for use with gears that have an aluminum surfaced bore in the valve housing.

In the unlikely event the Seal Service Kit does not correct the condition, installation of a short gear assembly may be necessary.

PRIOR ZONE AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION OF A SHORT GEAR ASSEMBLY.

Order parts from appropriate service parts catalog and follow service procedure in the applicable service manual.

PARTS INFORMATION

To ensure parts are obtained as soon as possible, order them from GM Service Parts Operations (GMSPO) on a C.I.O. order, with NO special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2). Use the following part numbers:

Description Part Number Quantity Per Vehicle ----------- ----------- -------------------- Seal Service Kit 26010340 1

NOTICE: The "split-ring" kit is not intended for use on vehicles equipped with cast iron valve housing steering gears. On steering gears with cast iron valve housings, no significant valve bore wear will occur, and installation of the "split-ring" kit will not improve steering performance.

RETURN OF STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLIES ("SHORT RACKS")

See the requirements on page 3 of Dealer Technical Bulletin 85-T-58, except you should now refer to General Motors Part Information Bulletin IB No. 88-48.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit a Warranty Claim with the information indicated below:

Install Seal Service Kit Only, T4622:

Model Year Labor Hours ----- ----------- Cutlass Cutlass Eighty- Ninety- Toronado Firenza Calais Ciera Eight Eight & Trofeo ------- ------ ----- ----- ----- --------- V6 Other V6 Other -- ----- -- ----- 1985 4.1 3.5 4.1 3.6 2.8 -- 2.8 --

1986 4.1 3.5 4.1 3.6 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.6 & 1987

1988 -- 3.5 4.1 3.6 3.1 2.8 2.8 3.4

Install Gear Kit, Steering R & R, ("Short Gear"), T4623*

Model Year Labor Hours ---- ----------- Cutlass Cutlass Eighty- Ninety- Toronado Firenza Calais Ciera Eight Eight & Trofeo ------- ------- ----- ----- ----- -------- V6 Other V6 Other -- ----- -- -----

1985 3.2 2.6 3.3 2.8 2.0 -- 2.1 --

1986 3.2 2.6 3.3 2.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.9 & 1987

1988 -- 2.6 3.3 2.8 2.3 2.0 2.0 1.9

*This T-op is to be used only in the unlikely event the Seal Service Kit does not correct the condition, PRIOR ZONE AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED.

Use Trouble Code (92) with both of the above T-ops.

Parts Allowance: Current dealer list price of applicable Kit plus 30%.

Power steering fluid allowance may be applied for in the usual manner.

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.