STEERING GEAR PINION LOCK NUT TORQUE DATE: October, 2000 SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN

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1 Page 1 of 9 SUBJECT : No: STEERING GEAR PINION LOCK NUT TORQUE DATE: October, 2000 SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN MODEL: See below CIRCULATE TO: [ ] GENERAL MANAGER [X] PARTS MANAGER [X] TECHNICIAN [X] SERVICE ADVISOR [X] SERVICE MANAGER [X] WARRANTY PROCESSOR [ ] SALES MANAGER This bulletin supercedes SR , issued in August, 2000, to increase Galant steering gear assembly replacement labor time. Revised information is marked by. PURPOSE Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) is voluntarily recalling affected vehicles for possible insufficient torque of the pinion lock nut on the steering gear assembly. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The lock nut which secures the pinion shaft in the steering rack housing may not be properly tightened. If the lock nut is not properly tightened, it could loosen and allow the steering control valve to become misaligned. If this occurs, steering wheel vibration, stiff steering, or, in worst cases, inability to turn left could result. Check the steering gear pinion lock nut tightening torque as described in this bulletin. If the nut is not properly torqued, the steering gear assembly must be replaced. AFFECTED VEHICLES Galant models produced from 5/98 through 6/24/ Eclipse models produced from 4/99 through 6/24/ Eclipse Spyder models produced from 1/00 through 6/24/00 IMPORTANT Affected inventory vehicles must be inspected/repaired before the vehicle is sold. Dealers must check their inventory vehicles VINs on the Warranty Super Screen to verify whether the vehicle is an affected VIN for this recall campaign. CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION A letter will be sent to all owners of affected vehicles telling them to bring their vehicle to their Mitsubishi Motors dealer to have the lock nut on their steering gear pinion shaft inspected. A sample copy of the customer notification letter appears later in this bulletin. Very few affected vehicles are expected to have a loose pinion nut. MMSA Dealers may perform this inspection and/or repair regardless of whether a customer has received a recall notification letter. REQUIRED OPERATIONS Before starting the PROCEDURE section of this bulletin, CHECK ON THE WARRANTY SUPERSCREEN to verify that the vehicle is an affected VIN for this campaign and that this recall campaign procedure has not already been completed. Continued FILE UNDER: Safety Recall Bulletins in the Dealer Service Information Binder (2200)

2 Page 2 of 9 PROCEDURE 1. Check the power steering fluid level. Replenish if necessary. 2. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left. Remove the ignition key. Then turn the steering wheel to the right until it locks. 3. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the steering gear assembly for this inspection. a. For 4 cylinder models, go to Step 4. b. For V6 models, go to Step Cylinder Models Only: 4 CYLINDER MODELS ONLY REMOVE STAY PINION NUT CAP AND LOCK NUT Access the pinion nut cap and pinion lock nut as follows: a. Remove the stay. b. Remove the dynamic damper. 4 CYLINDER MODELS ONLY REMOVE DYNAMIC DAMPER Continued

3 Page 3 of 9 5. (All models) Clean oil and dirt from the pinion nut cap. Apply a mark to the cap and housing to identify the cap s position before removal. (V6 MODEL SHOWN) REMOVE PINION NUT CAP PINION NUT CAP 6. Remove the pinion nut cap. On V6 models, use a 24 mm socket. On 4 cylinder models, use a 24 mm box end wrench. 7. Wipe off excess grease from the pinion lock nut and the end of the shaft. DO NOT USE SOLVENT TO REMOVE GREASE. (V6 MODEL SHOWN) THREADS BELOW NUT FACE 8. Visually inspect the pinion shaft threads. a. If the threaded shaft is below the face of the pinion lock nut, replace the steering gear assembly as described in Group 37A of the appropriate service manual. Refer to the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin. NUT FACE Continued

4 Page 4 of 9 THREADS ABOVE NUT FACE b. If the threaded shaft is flush with or above the face of the pinion lock nut, continue with Step 9. MARK APPLIED IN STEP 9 NUT FACE a. Apply 19 Nm (14 ft/lbs) tightening torque to the nut. 9. Apply a mark to the pinion lock nut and steering shaft to identify the nut s location on the shaft. Then verify the tightening torque of the nut as follows, using a torque wrench, 6 extension, and a 17 mm socket. For 4 cylinder models, a 3/8 drive swivel socket is necessary. IMPORTANT: DO NOT back off the nut before applying torque. b. Inspect the mark on the nut. If the mark has moved less than 90 degrees (1/4 turn), continue with Step 10. c. If the mark has moved more than 90 degrees (1/4 turn), replace the steering gear assembly as described in Group 37A of the appropriate service manual. Refer to the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin. 10. Clean the old sealant from the pinion nut cap threads. 11. Use a clean cloth to clean the threads of the steering gear housing. DO NOT USE SOLVENT. 12. Apply new 3M Super Silicone Sealant (or equivalent) to the pinion nut cap threads. 13. Reinstall the cap by hand at least 2 full turns. Torque to Nm ( ft/lbs). On 4 cylinder models, use a 3/8 drive 24 mm crow s foot, and a 6 extension. On V6 models, use a 24 mm socket with a 6 extension. 14. Check the marks on the cap. The mark must be aligned with the mark on the housing, without exceeding 78 Nm (58 ft/lbs). If the mark is not aligned, remove the cap and repeat Step Using a punch, stake the cap on both sides Cylinder Models Only: a. Reinstall the dynamic damper. Torque to 26 Nm (19 ft/lbs). b. Reinstall the stay. Torque to 86 Nm (63 ft/lbs).

5 Page 5 of Lower the vehicle. Start the engine and check the right and left turn steering effort. Confirm smooth steering operation and confirm that there are no abnormal noises when turning the steering wheel. PARTS INFORMATION For customer vehicles, if parts are not available, provide the customer with alternate transportation, then contact the MMSA Customer Relations Department at Model Part No. Description Galant, Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder MR Steering gear and link assembly 4 cylinder Eclipse/Eclipse Spyder V6 MR Steering gear and link assembly Galant V6 MR Steering gear and link assembly All models ONLY IF NEEDED MR Steering gear access cap (pinion nut cap) Replacement rate of steering gear assemblies is expected to be very minimal. Parts Managers are requested to order parts as needed. WARRANTY INFORMATION Claims for this campaign must be entered as C type claims (E 5) on your Diamond Network Warranty Menu). Sample claim screens are shown on the next 3 pages. Labor Operation No.: C0006AXX Labor Time: 0.3 hrs. for Inspection Only All Models Labor Operation No.: C0006AXX Labor Time for Inspection AND Steering Gear Assembly Replacement: Galant 3.0 hours Eclipse 3.0 hours Eclipse Spyder 3.0 hours Other Additional Charges: No other charges may be claimed on this C type campaign claim. Allowable Parts: Refer to the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin. NOTICE: DO NOT SCRAP ANY REPLACED STEERING GEARS. Dealers will receive a warranty parts return request notice for all replaced steering gears. All returned steering gears will be thoroughly inspected by MMSA engineering staff as well as the manufacturer. Claims for steering gears that were unnecessarily replaced will be subject to chargeback. NOTE: Any related rental car charges should be claimed on a separate W claim using operation number on Line A for $0.00. Then enter the Rentacar operation on Line B, along with the related rental car charges. Produced by the MMSA Technical Information Department. Copyright 2000 Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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8 Page 8 of 9 NOTE: Any related rental car charges should be claimed on a separate W claim using operation number on Line A for $0.00. Then enter the Rentacar operation on Line B along with the related rental car charges.

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