Park Avenue V6-3.8L VIN K (1995)
Suspension Strut / Shock Absorber: All Technical Service Bulletins
Struts - Vehicle Pulls/Leads Left or Right
File In Section: 3 - Steering/Suspension
Bulletin No.: 83-30-05
Date: October, 1998
Subject:
Vehicle "Pulls/Leads" Left or Right (Rotate Strut Assembly's Upper Spring Seat)
Models:
1991-96 Buick Park Avenue, Park Avenue Ultra
1992-98 Buick LeSabre
1991-96 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
1992-98 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency
1992-98 Pontiac Bonneville
Condition
Some customers may comment that the vehicle "pulls or leads" left or right. Inspection shows the alignment to be within specification.
Cause
A "pull" or "lead" may be caused by excessive spring side load. This condition is due to the spring forces turning or twisting the strut relative to the strut
mount. These spring forces are the result of the strut assembly being mounted off-center from the steering knuckle.
This condition may also be caused by uneven height between the two strut towers, or a combination of the two conditions.
Important:
Leads and pulls are terms for the same condition with different levels of severity. "Lead" refers to the path deviation of the vehicle from a straight
path on a level road, without hand pressure on the steering wheel. "Pull" refers to the torque that is required at the steering wheel to maintain a
straight path.
Correction
Important:
Correcting this condition by shimming the strut mount is to be DISCONTINUED immediately.
Tools and equipment required for this correction are as follows:
^
J 3289-20 Holding Fixture
^
J 34013-B Strut Compressor
^
Vehicle Lift
Important:
Eliminate all other possibilities for a lead or a pull. Refer to the vehicle's Leads/Pulls Diagnostic Information and Procedure Table in the Suspension
- General Diagnosis section of the Service Manual.
If the wheel alignment is recent and the results are acceptable, perform the following procedure:
1.
Verify "cold" tire pressure as per the Tire-Loading Information label located on the rear edge of the driver's door.
2.
Check the condition of the tires. Refer to the Suspension - General Diagnosis section of the Service Manual.
3.
Road test vehicle for a sufficient distance on a known smooth road surface to duplicate the condition. This should be done after a tire break-in of at
least 10 miles (16 km) at 45 mph (73 km/h) or greater, to eliminate any possible tire flat-spotting.
Important:
Confirm that condition is not torque steer, memory steer, bias steering rack characteristics or brake drag.
4.
If a road test indicates a "pull or lead" (to the left or right) still exists, go to Step 5.
