Town Car V8-302 5.0L (1987)
Idler Arm: Recalls
Recall - Idler Arm Replacement
Number:
87S24
March, 1987
To:
Selected North American Lincoln-Mercury Dealers and Affiliated Ford Motor Companies
Subject:
Safety Recall 87S24 - Certain 1987 Lincoln Town Car Vehicles for Replacement of the Steering Linkage Idler Arm Assemblies
VEHICLES INVOLVED:
1987 Lincoln Town Car Vehicles built at the Wixom Assembly Plant from January 8, 1987 through January 15, 1987.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT:
Ford Motor Company has determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the vehicles described above. On some of these vehicles, the
steering linkage idler arm bracket may have been improperly heat treated. An improperly heat treated bracket could fracture resulting in the idler arm
separating from the frame rail. Should this, occur, it would result in a loose steering feel and a clunking noise would be heard when the steering wheel is
turned. Steering control would be maintained, but would be less precise. Under certain circumstances, a vehicle crash could result.
To correct this condition, a new steering linkage idler arm assembly is to be installed on each of the affected vehicles.
NOTIFICATION OF OWNERS /DEALER ACTIONS:
Some of these vehicles may be involved in Safety Recall 87S23. This recall provides for the installation of steering linkage centerlinks. For Dealers in
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands - to determine vehicle eligibility, please use "CARES". If a vehicle is involved in recalls 87S23 and 87S24, perform
the recall services during one dealer visit and submit separate Form 1864 claims for reimbursement.
The enclosed list identifies vehicles delivered to your dealership which are involved in this recall. Other eligible vehicles may be brought to your
dealership by their owners for this recall service. Those units also are to be corrected as promptly as possible. If the owner of any eligible vehicle does
not have a Customer Notification and Dealer Claim Form (FED 1864 or FCS-1864), a blank Form 1864 should be completed by you and submitted for
reimbursement. To determine whether a vehicle is eligible, dealers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands may wish to utilize the Computer Assisted
Recall System (CARES).
Vehicle owners whose names and addresses are shown on the enclosed recall listing are being notified by First Class Mail. If you have knowledge that a
suspect vehicle has been sold, but the owner's name and address does not appear on the listing, please contact the owner immediately and provide him a
copy of the owner letter. If the owner of any vehicle cannot be contacted or does not make an appointment to have his vehicle corrected, advise your
supervising Ford location of the owner's name and address so that we can handle further notification.
DEALER OBLIGATIONS:
Dealers are obligated to perform this recall service promptly following presentation of the vehicle by the owners. United States law requires that we
advise owners in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and certain territories of the procedure to be followed by them in informing the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, if the defect is not corrected without charge within a reasonable time after the vehicle is brought in. This notice is included
in the owner letter (copy attached) to be sent to owners in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Canal Zone, Guam aud the Northern Mariana
Islands. It is also important, however, that you promptly report (to your supervising location or Wixom) any instances in which an owner will not allow
you to complete this recall because of objections to delays in scheduling, or for any other reason.
For any suspect vehicle received and already delivered to an owner, it is imperative that you contact the owner immediately, and advise the owner to
return the vehicle to your dealership without delay for the correction.
