Recall - Tie Rod Loosen and Seperation: Overview
Model Year1985
Bulletin No 85-C-1
File In Group 3
Number 4
Date Sept. 1984
SUBJECT: TIE ROD PINCH BOLT TORQUE TOO LOW
MODELS AFFECTED: 1985 SOMERSET REGALS
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type, must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to adequately repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the owner may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge, or to a refund of the purchase price, less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.
To avoid having to provide these burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the letter which is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Buick home office if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the agreed service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, the owners are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
CONDITION
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some early production 1985 Somerset Regals. The vehicles have been assembled with inadequate clamp load on the tie rod adjuster. This could allow the tie rod to loosen and separate from the tie rod adjuster. Tie rod separation could cause a loss of steering control which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.