Recall - Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joints: Overview

No. 750

December, 1997

To: All Dodge and Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers

Subject:
Safety Recall # 750 -- Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joints

Models:

^ 1995 Through 1997 Model Year Chrysler Cirrus, Dodge Stratus and Plymouth Breeze (JA) Vehicles; and

^ 1996 and 1997 Model Year Chrysler Sebring Convertible (JX) Vehicles

The front lower control arms on about 600,000 of the above listed vehicles may separate from the steering knuckle due to ball joint corrosion which can cause a loss of steering control. Ball joint corrosion may occur from either a damaged boot or an improperly crimped ball joint end cover. To correct this condition, the front lower control arm ball joint boots and end cover crimps must be inspected and the lower control arm(s) replaced if necessary.

IMPORTANT:
Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory. Federal law requires you to complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory. and should perform this recall on vehicles in for service as determined by using DIAL System Function 70.

Dealer Notification & Vehicle List
All dealers will receive a copy of this dealer recall notification letter by first class mail. Each dealer to whom involved vehicles were invoiced (or the current dealer at the same street address) will receive a list of their involved vehicles. The Vehicle List is arranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler are also listed. The lists are for dealer reference in arranging for service of involved vehicles.

DIAL System Functions 53, 70 and VIP

All involved vehicles will be entered to DIAL System Functions 53, 70 and VIP at the time of recall implementation for dealer inquiry as needed.

Function 53 provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of incomplete vehicles. The customer name, address and phone number is listed if known. Completed vehicles are removed from Function 53 within several days of repair claim submission. To use this system, type "53" at the "ENTER FUNCTION" prompt, then type "ORD750".

Parts

IMPORTANT:
Vehicles with leaking lower control arm ball joint boots or end cover crimps as determined by the inspection procedure in Section A" require replacement of one or both of the front lower control arm assemblies. Very few vehicles are expected to require lower control arm replacement. Therefore, one RIGHT (PN 4616922) and one LEFT (PN 4616923) Lower Control Arm will be supplied initially to each dealer (involved and uninvolved). Additional parts may be ordered as needed to support scheduled repairs.

In addition, one Ball Joint Tester, Miller Special Tool # 8219, was shipped to all Dodge and Chrysler-Plymouth dealers free of charge in early-December, 1997. This tester is required to perform the lower control arm ball joint inspection in Section A". Additional testers may be purchased from Miller Special Tool as necessary. Each tester package includes five (5) replacement "O"-rings.

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling

All involved vehicle owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for this service with their dealers. A copy of the owner notification letter is included.

Enclosed with each owner notification is an Owner Notification Form. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.