IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE P/S GEARBOX WAS SEPARATING FROM ITS MOUNT ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED. THE STEERING BECAME LOOSER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE U-CHANNEL FRAME WAS CRACKED OUT IN THE AREAS OF 3 OF THE 4 POWER STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTS. THESE CRACKS HAD TO BE WELDED. A YEAR AN A HALF LATER A CHECK OF …
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IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE P/S GEARBOX WAS SEPARATING FROM ITS MOUNT ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED. THE STEERING BECAME LOOSER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE U-CHANNEL FRAME WAS CRACKED OUT IN THE AREAS OF 3 OF THE 4 POWER STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTS. THESE CRACKS HAD TO BE WELDED. A YEAR AN A HALF LATER A CHECK OF THE WELDS WAS MADE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A NEW CRACK WAS FOUND. THERE WAS NO COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE DOUBLER/STIFFENER REPAIR PLATE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE FRAME SHOULD NOT CRACK UNDER NORMAL USE. *TR
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
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