Looks like we're about the only car it DIDN'T affect:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...gm_recall_dc_3

But the Regal is on that list, and a few GP'*.

Really? Read this then:

INTERMITTENT STEERING COLUMN SNAP OR CLINK NOISE WHEN TURN. #56-32-02B - (09/29/1997)
REVISION: 04/11/96

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO ADD THE PASSENGER CARS AND UPDATE PARTS INFORMATION. PLEASE DISCARD CORPORATE BULLETIN NUMBER 56-32-02 (SECTION 3 - STEERING/SUSPENSION). __________________________________________________ ____________________ REVISION: 09/12/97

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO CORRECT THE TRUCK MODELS AND PART NUMBER DESCRIPTIONS. PLEASE DISCARD CORPORATE BULLETIN NUMBER 56-32-02A, DATED APRIL, 1996 (SECTION 3 - STEERING/SUSPENSION). __________________________________________________ ____________________

SUBJECT: INTERMITTENT STEERING COLUMN SNAP OR CLICK NOISE WHEN TURNING (INSTALL NEW UPPER BEARING SPRING)

MODELS: 1994-96 BUICK CENTURY, LASABRE, PARK AVENUE, REGAL, ROADMASTER 1995-96 BUICK RIVIERA 1994-96 CADILLAC CONCOURS, DEVILLE, ELDORADO, FLEETWOOD, SEVILLE 1994-96 CHEVROLET CAMARO, CAPRICE, CORVETTE, LUMINA, LUMINA APV 1995-96 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1994-96 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA, CUTLASS SUPREME, EIGHTY EIGHT, NINETY EIGHT, SILHOUETTE 1995-96 OLDSMOBILE AURORA 1994-96 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, FIREBIRD, GRAND PRIX, TRANS SPORT WITH TILT STEERING COLUMNS

1995-96 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K, */T TRUCK 1994-96 CHEVROLET AND GMC M/L AND G VANS WITH TILT STEERING COLUMNS

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON AN INTERMITTENT STEERING COLUMN SNAP OR CLICK NOISE WHILE TURNING. THE SNAPPING OR CLICKING MAY ALSO BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

CAUSE:

THE UPPER BEARING RACE SEAT MAY, UNDER SOME TURNING CONDITIONS, MOVE IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION ALONG THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT. THE NOISE IS A RESULT OF THE INNER RACE SEAT HANGING UP ON THE SHAFT AND THEN SUDDENLY RELEASING CAUSING A SNAPPING OR CLICKING NOISE.

CORRECTION:

A NEW UPPER BEARING SPRING WITH INCREASED STIFFNESS HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE NEW SPRING WILL INCREASE THE PRELOAD BETWEEN THE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT AND THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT. TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW SPRING WITH INCREASED STIFFNESS, THE CANCEL CAM WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE NEW SPRING AND CANCEL CAM, ALONG WITH A RETAINER RING AND AN UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE PARTS KIT LISTED BELOW.

SERVICE PROCEDURE:

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN IN SECTION 3F5 OF THE APPROPRIATE SERVICE MANUAL AND THOSE CONTAINED IN KIT. BE SURE TO USE ALL PARTS SUPPLIED IN THE SERVICE KIT.

PARTS INFORMATION:

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION =========== ===========

26059701 1994-96 A/B/C/D/E/F/H/K/U/W 26059701 1994-95 M/L/G VANS 26059702 1995-96 BUICK "G" 26059703 1995-96 OLDSMOBILE "G" 26059704 1995-96 C/K, */T TRUCK 26059704 1996 M/L/G VANS (BOTH STYLES OF G VAN) 26059705 1994-96 "Y"

PARTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, USE:

LABOR OPERATION LABOR NUMBER DESCRIPTION TIME =============== =========== =====

E7310 A/B/C/D/E/F/H/K/ USE PUBLISHED W/Y CARS, M/L/G/U VANS LABOR TIME. AND C/K, */T TRUCKS

E7321 G-CAR USE PUBLISHED LABOR TIME.

FIGURES: 00 ATTACHMENTS: 00

GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

Clunk Noise from Front of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver/Steering Wheel Rotation (Lubricate Intermediate Shaft) #01-02-32-001C - (09/12/2003)
Clunk Noise From Front Of Vehicle During Turning Maneuver/Steering Wheel Rotation (Lubricate Intermediate Shaft)
2001-2004 Buick Regal

2000-2004 Cadillac Seville STS

1997-2004 Chevrolet Cavalier

2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo

2001-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora

1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue

1997-2004 Pontiac Sunfire

2000-2004 Pontiac Bonneville

2003-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

This bulletin is being revised to add and remove models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-02-32-001B (Section 02 [shy ] Steering).

Condition
Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle during a turning maneuver. This condition may also be felt through the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary and the wheel is rotated from steering stop to steering stop. Typically, the clunk noise will be heard once for every 180° of steering wheel rotation in either direction for J-cars (Cavalier and Sunfire). However, some vehicles may only exhibit the noise once for every 360° of wheel rotation. On all other vehicles, this clunk noise will be noticed during low speed acceleration or deceleration, typically in light turns of the steering wheel.


Important
Do not replace the following steering gear part numbers:
GM P/N 26063582
GM P/N 26056808
GM P/N 26031078
GM P/N 26079915
GM P/N 26055468
GM P/N 26079917
GM P/N 26079929
GM P/N 26081813
GM P/N 26080057
GM P/N 26088612
GM P/N 26086001
GM P/N 26088334
GM P/N 26088539
GM P/N 26068964
GM P/N 26058681
GM P/N 26068967
GM P/N 26088606
GM P/N 26067451
GM P/N 26087241
GM P/N 26087416
Do not replace the following intermediate shafts:
GM P/N 10327501
GM P/N 10327502
GM P/N 10327553
GM P/N 22680754
GM P/N 22704392
GM P/N 26050292
GM P/N 26055042
GM P/N 26073020
GM P/N 26078302
GM P/N 26079240
GM P/N 26079787
GM P/N 26100571
This condition is commonly misdiagnosed as originating in the steering gear and has resulted in the replacement of numerous steering gears without correcting the concern.


Cause
This condition may be caused by inadequate lubrication of the steering intermediate shaft which results in a "slip stick" condition possibly resulting in the clunk noise.

Correction
Remove the intermediate steering shaft from the vehicle and lubricate the shaft with a Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit, P/N 26098237. Follow the service procedure listed below.

Remove the steering intermediate shaft from the vehicle. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in the appropriate Service Manual.

Fully extend the intermediate shaft by pulling the two shafts apart.

Apply the grease supplied in the Steering Column Shaft Lubrication Kit in the aluminum end of the yoke opening. Direct the syringe tip as deep as possible into the yoke and dispense the full content of the syringe.

Install the rubber stop plug from the Steering Column Shaft Lubrication kit into the yoke opening.

Secure the rubber plug by swinging the upper yoke 90°. One ear of the yoke should press the rubber plug in.

Important
Make sure the intermediate shaft is being pressed over the ears of the solid shaft.

Use a hard surface to ease the collapse of the intermediate shaft. It is best to use a pumping action when collapsing the shaft. Collapse the shaft as far as possible.
Remove the rubber stopper plug from the yoke end of the shaft.

Slowly extend the intermediate shaft apart.

Inspect the intermediate shaft for a minimum of 5 mm (0.2 in) (a) of grease on the shaft splines.
Repeat steps 4-9 if less than 5 mm (0.2 in) of grease is on the shaft splines.

Important
Before installing the intermediate shaft in the vehicle, make sure to stroke and extend the intermediate shaft at least 15 TIMES to completely lubricate the internal surface of the slip joint.


Reinstall the intermediate shaft into the vehicle. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in the appropriate Service Manual.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description

26098237
Steering Column Shaft Lube Kit


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

E7700
R & R Shaft Steering Intermediate
Use Published Time

Add:
Lubricate Steering Shaft
0.1 hr

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

But that recall is from '96/'97

This is something BIG for GM... I wonder how much they're losing out of this.

The release date is: (09/12/2003)
NOT 1996! Besides it'* NOT a RECALL! It'* a TSB!
I can't seem to stress this enough it seems....there is a difference between a RECALL & TSB'*!

RECALL = Campaigns (IE: product fault or production error)
TSB = Technical Service Buletin (IE: Hot Tip to help diagnose a potential problem based upon GM Technician'* expierences)

Hrmmm so should I be worried??? I don't want my power steering to blow up or anything.... :(