NHTSA Complaint #727330 — 1986 PONTIAC 6000

GEN MOTORS RACK AND PINION GEARS HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE1980 WHEN THEY WERE FIRST PRODUCED. I AM A RETIRED FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR GENERAL MOTORS AND I KNOW THIS FOR A FACT. WHEN I WAS IN THE "FIELD" I WAS TOLD UNOFFICIALLY TO MAKE A 'GOODWILL" ADJUSTMENT FOR ANY COMPLAINTS OF RACK AND PINION STEERING GEARS THAT WOULD "LOCK-UP" DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. THE DEFECT IS DUE TO THE DESIGN OF A STEEL SPOOL VALVE PINION IN AN ALUMINUM RACK ASSEMBLY. PRESENTLY THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE CORRECTED THE DEFECT BY INSTALLING A STEEL SLEEVE IN THE PINION SECTION OF THE RACK ASSEMBLY SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS A 'TOP HAT" RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY. COMPARISONS FORM EARLIER DESIGNS AND PRESENT WILL CONFIRM THIS TO BE TRUE. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE DUE TO THIS INHERENT MANUFACTURER DEFECT.