STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
THE SAGINAW GEAR DOES NOT RELIEVE PRESSURE WHEN THE WHEELS HAVE BEEN TURNED FULLY AGAINST THE AXLE STOPS. THE RESULTING CONTINUED PRESSURE ON THE STEERING SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRACKS IN THE SPLINES OF THE PITMAN SHAFT, WHICH CAN DEVELOP INTO A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE PITMAN SHAFT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE EXISTING PITMAN SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW, STRENGTHENED PITMAN SHAFT.
145,682 vehicles affected