NHTSA Campaign 79V044000

SUSPENSION

Issued by GRUMMAN FLXIBLE CORP. · Reported Jan 5, 1979 · 1,100 vehicles affected

What's wrong

A HARDENED WASHER REQUIRED IN MOUNTING THE UPPER RADIUS ROD BRACKET TO THE TOP OF THE FRONT AXLE WAS OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE OMISSION OF THE HARDENED WASHER COULD CAUSE A GAP UP TO .063" BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE MOUNTING FLANGE AND THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. THIS GAP WILL PREVENT THE SPECIFIED CLAMPING FORCES FROM BEING APPLIED TO THE UPPER RADIUS ROD BRACKET. THE INABILITY TO CORRECTLY CLAMP THE UPPER RADIUS ROD BRACKET TO THE AXLE COULD CAUSE ABNORMAL STRESS LOADS TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRACKET DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. CONTINUED OPERATION UNDER THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN VERTICAL BRACKET FRACTURE. IF COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET OCCURRED, THE FRONT AXLE COULD SHIFT, CAUSING BINDING AND RUBBING OF THE STEERING SHAFT AND, EVENTUALLY, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE BRACKETS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FLXIBLE 35096 1976 1,100
FLXIBLE 35096 1977 1,100
FLXIBLE 35096 1978 1,100
FLXIBLE 45096 1976 1,100
FLXIBLE 45096 1977 1,100
FLXIBLE 45096 1978 1,100
FLXIBLE 53096 1976 1,100
FLXIBLE 53096 1977 1,100
FLXIBLE 53096 1978 1,100

Source: NHTSA Campaign 79V044000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.