Recall - Steering wheel Anti-Separation Plate: Overview
No. 708December 1996
To: All Dodge and Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers
Subject:
Safety Recall # 708 -- Steering Wheel Anti-Separation Plate
Models:
^ 1991 and 1992 Model Year Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan; Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager; and Chrysler Town & Country (AS) Minivans Equipped With a Driver's Air Bag (Sales Code - CGT)
^ 1991 and 1992 Model Year Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance (AP) Vehicles Equipped With a 4-Cylinder Engine and Manual Transmission
The steering wheel armature on the above listed vehicles, may crack due to fatigue and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column. All vehicles must be inspected for armature cracks and all cracked steering wheels must be replaced. An anti-separation plate must be installed on all steering wheels without cracks to prevent separation if future armature cracking occurs.
IMPORTANT:
Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer used vehicle inventory. Dealers should complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also perform this recall on vehicles in for service as determined by using DIAL System Function 70.
Details of this service action are explained in the following sections.
Service Procedure Videotape
No videotape of the service procedure for this recall will be provided.
Dealer Notification & Vehicle List
Involved dealers: Each dealer to whom involved vehicles were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same street address) will receive a copy of this dealer recall notification letter and a list of the involved vehicles by first class mail.
The Vehicle List is arranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler are also listed. The lists are for dealer reference in arranging for service of involved vehicles.
All other dealers: Each Dodge or Chrysler-Plymouth dealer who does not receive a Vehicle List will receive a copy of this dealer recall notification letter by first class mail.
DIAL System Functions 53, 70 and VIP
All involved vehicles will be entered to DIAL System Functions 53, 70 and VIP at the time of recall implementation for dealer inquiry as needed.
Parts
Important:
A quantity of parts will be distributed initially and billed to all involved dealers. This quantity will cover a portion of the total vehicles involved. Additional parts may be ordered as needed to support customer demand.
Each involved dealer, to whom vehicles in the recall were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same street address), will receive enough Anti-Separation Plate Packages, Recall PN CBXS7O8O, to service about 15% of those vehicles.
Each parts package contains the following components:
Quantity Description
1 Anti-Separation Plate
1 Nut, Steering Wheel Retaining
1 Instruction Sheet
If a steering wheel is cracked and requires replacement, order the appropriate part from the following tables:
ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES ARE EXPECTED TO REQUIRE STEERING WHEEL REPLACEMENT. DO NOT ORDER STEERING WHEELS UNLESS CRACKING IS DETERMINED BY THE ENCLOSED PROCEDURE.
1991 and 1992 MY Minivan (AS) Steering Wheels
1991 and 1992 Shadow/Sundance (AP) Steering Wheels
Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved vehicle owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for the service with their dealers. A copy of the owner notification letter is included.
Enclosed with each owner notification is an Owner Notification Form. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.
Completion Reporting and Reimbursement
Claims for vehicles which have been serviced must be submitted on the DIAL System. Claims submitted will be used by Chrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.
Use one of the following labor operation numbers and time allowances:
Labor Operation Time
Number Allowance
Inspect steering wheel and install
anti-separation plate 19708182 0.3 hours
Inspect and replace steering wheel 19708183 0.3 hours
Add the cost of the recall parts package plus applicable dealer allowance to your claim.
Parts Return
Removed steering wheels must be returned to the Warranty Material Return Center.
Note:
See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section for complete recall claim processing and material return instructions.
Vehicle Not Available
If a vehicle is not available for service for a known reason, let us know by filling out the pre-addressed Vehicle Disposition Form portion of the Owner Notification Form or describe the reason on a postcard and mail to:
Chrysler Corporation
CIMS 482-00-85
800 Chrysler Drive East
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48236-2757
Following the above procedures will expedite the processing of your claim.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact your Zone Service Office.