Chevette L4-98 1.6L (1982)
In the interest of ease of repair, cost effectiveness and improved customer satisfaction, it has been decided that certain internal service parts and kits for
power rack and pinion steering gears are being discontinued and will not be available from G.M. Service Parts Operations after current stock is
exhausted.
SERVICE PARTS AVAILABILITY INFORMATION
The only internal service parts/kits which will be available in the future are some seal/bearing kits used on the valve body (spool valve) and/or the valve
body shaft. Under those conditions in which "Temporary Reduction of Power Steering Assist When Cold" occurs, the use of seal service kit (split ring)
part 26010340 is advised. These seal kits will continue to be offered through General Motors Service Parts Operations.
When the stock of a dealer-ordered service part or kit is exhausted, the dealer will be advised that the service part kit is no longer serviced separately. If
internal parts beyond these kits (see below) are required, because of problems unrelated to reduced assist when cold, the use of a service gear kit (partial)
is advised. These partial service gear kits per specified application will continue to be available through General Motors Service Parts Operation. See
Figure 1.
AVAILABLE INTERNAL SERVICE KITS
Part Number
Description
26010340
Seal Service Kit (Split Ring)
For use on 1980-1988 Models W/Aluminum Hsgs. only
26012606
Brg Asm Service Kit, W/Seals
26012607
Brg Asm Service Kit, W/Seals
26012608
Brg Asm Service Kit, W/Seals
External service parts (boots, inner and outer tie rods, cylinder lines, adjuster plug lock nut) will continue to be available as service parts.
The reason for discontinuing some internal service kits/parts is ease of repair and customer satisfaction. Analysis has shown that internal overhaul of
certain component parts may not be as reliable and may be more costly to the customer. It has become more cost effective to install a short gear assembly
than to perform internal repairs except in cases of reduced assist when cold, when installing the seal service kit for valve bore wear.
Analysis also has shown that leaks at the bulkhead seal, rack seal or piston seal when serviced are most often a temporary fix due to damage to other
internal parts. Therefore, the replacement of these parts is not recommended. As a result, the sales of these parts have decreased to the point where it is
no longer viable to maintain these parts for service, and the installation of a new or rebuilt "short" gear assembly is recommended.
SPECIAL POLICY BULLETIN - Temporary Reduction of Power Steering Assist When Cold
The special policy is only intended to address customer comments of reduced power steering assist when cold which are caused by valve bore wear on
vehicles equipped with aluminum-housing steering gears. The "split-ring" seal service kit (P/N 26010340) will continue to be available, and should be
the first procedure utilized to repair the reduced assist cold condition on aluminum-housing steering gears, whether or not the vehicle is covered by the
special policy. The "split-ring" kit has proven to be effective in cases of reduced assist cold, and should be used as the first avenue of repair on all
reduced assist cold cases involving aluminum-housing steering gears. If the "split-ring" kit does not correct the reduced assist cold condition, a "short"
gear may be necessary, but must have prior zone approval. THE SERVICE PARTS/KITS THAT ARE BEING DISCONTINUED SHOULD HAVE NO
EFFECT ON THE RATE OF GEAR REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLES COVERED UNDER THE SPECIAL POLICY.
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.
UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLIES
Stiff Steering After Cold Start In Very Cold Weather (Gears With Cast Iron Valve Housing)
Customers may comment on momentary stiff steering when the vehicle is first started in very cold weather (+10 degrees F or colder). This condition may
be related to power steering cooler lines which are quite long on some vehicles.
This condition improves noticeably as the power steering fluid circulates thru the steering system. This will occur after a brief vehicle warm-up, or after
two or three cycles of lock-to-lock steering wheel turns. This condition is due to the power steering system having to push very cold fluid thru the
steering hydraulic system, including the cooler line. Power steering cooler lines are quite long on some vehicles. This condition may be compared to stiff
shifting manual transmissions after cold starts in very cold weather.
NOTICE:
This condition should not be diagnosed as reduced power steering assist when cold due to valve bore wear. 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.
Power Steering Fluid In Boots
