SUBJECT: Safety Recall #741 -- Lower Steering Column Coupler
NO: 741
GROUP: RECALL
DATE:
MODELS:  1995 Model Year Dodge and Plymouth Neon (PL) Vehicles
The lower steering column coupler on about 355,000 of the above listed vehicles, may separate as a result of a hard undercarriage impact and cause a loss of steering control. To correct this condition, the lower steering column coupler must be replaced.

IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer used vehicle inventory. Dealers should complete this recall service on these vehicles beforeretail delivery. Dealers should also 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. Eachdealer to whom involved vehicles were invoiced (or the current dealer at the samestreet address) will receive a list of their involved vehicles. The Vehicle List isarranged in Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) sequence. Owners known to Chrysler arealso 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 ofrecall implementation for dealer inquiry as needed.

Function 53 provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of incomplete vehicles. Thecustomer name, address and phone number is listed if known. Parts information is alsoprovided. Completed vehicles are removed from Function 53 within several days of repairclaim submission. To use this system, type "53" at the "ENTER FUNCTION" prompt, thentype "ORD741".



Vehicle Not Available

If a vehicle is not available for service for a known reason, let us know by filling out the pre-addressed Vehicle Disposition Form portion of the Owner Notification Form or describethe reason on a postcard and mail to:

Chrysler Corporation
CIMS 482-00-85
800 Chrysler Drive East
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326-2757

Following the above procedures will expedite the processing of your claim.
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please contact yourZone Service Office.
Customer Services Field Operations
Chrysler Corporation
PARTS REQUIRED:
IMPORTANT: A quantity of parts will be distributed initially and billed to all involved dealers.This quantity will cover a portion of the total vehicles involved. Additional parts may be orderedas needed to support customer demand.

Each involved dealer, to whom vehicles in the recall were invoiced (or the current dealer atthe same street address), will receive enough Steering Coupler Packages to service about25% of those vehicles

Dealers should determine which parts package is required for each vehicle at the timeappointments are scheduled to assure that the correct parts package is available whenthe customer arrives. The appropriate steering coupler for the vehicle to be serviced maybe determined by:

Using the part code in the third column of the VIN list along with the following table(involved dealers);

Using the VIN and part number list electronically transmitted to DIAL System Function53 (involved dealers); or

Entering the VIN to DIAL System Function 69 or VIP (sales code information) alongwith the following table (all dealers).
Steering Sales Code Part Code Part Number
Power SBA 1 CAV37411
Manual SAA 2

Each parts package contains the following components

Quantity Description
1 Steering Coupler
1 Coupler Seal
1 Roll Pin

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling

All involved vehicle owners known to Chrysler are being notified of the servicerequirement by first class mail They are requested to schedule appointments for thisservice with their dealers A copy of the owner notification letter is attached

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

Parts Return
Not required.
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Place the steering wheel in thestraight ahead position.

2. Remove the upper to lower steeringcoupler pinch bolt retaining pin andpinch bolt (Figure 1 ) and thenseparate the upper and lowersteering couplers.

CAUTION: DO NOT turn the steeringwheel after the couplers have been separated or damage to the air bag clockspring may result.

3. Remove and discard the dash cover tolower coupler seal (Figure 1).
4. Remove the four (4) dash cover screws and then remove the dash cover.
NOTE: Remove the two (2) accelerator pedal nuts from the underside of the dash for greater access to the inboard screws, if necessary.
5. Pull the lower coupler dust boot off of the steering gear housing and then remove itthrough the dash panel opening.
Raise the vehicle on an appropriatehoist.
7. Remove the lower coupler to steeringgear roll pin (Figure 2).
NOTE: The roll pin may beremoved and installed either bytapping it out and in using MillerSpecial Tool #6372-1 and ahammer, or by pressing it out andin using Miller Special Tool #6831A.
8. Remove and discard the lowersteering coupler.
9. Slide the old lower coupler dust boot onto the bottom of the new lower steering coupler.
10. Install the new lower steering coupler on the steering gear.
11. Install the provided lower coupler to steering gear roll pin using either Miller SpecialTool #6371-2 or #6831A (Figure 2).
12. Slide the lower coupler dust boot down onto the steering gear housing.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Reinstall the dash cover. Tighten the four (4) screws to 17 in-lbs (2 N m).
NOTE: Remove the two (2) accelerator pedal nuts from the underside of the dashfor greater access to the inboard screws, if necessary. Make sure that the J-nutsare aligned with the holes in the body before installing the screws.
. Install the provided lower coupler seal. Make sure that the top of the seal is around thelower coupler plastic collar and the bottom is seated on the dash cover (Figure 3).
16. Connect the lower coupler to the upper steering coupler. Tighten the pinch bolt to 250in-lbs (28 N m) and then install the pinch bolt retaining pin (Figure 1).
NOTE: Be sure that the steeringwheel is in the straight aheadposition and the dimpled side of thelower coupler shaft aligns with theopen (bolt) side of the uppercoupler (Figure 3) or damage to theair bag clockspring may result.
17. Raise the vehicle on the hoist.
18. Install the accelerator pedal nuts onthe underside of the dash ifpreviously removed.
19. Make sure that the lower coupler dustboot is seated on the steering gearand on the dash cover.
20. Lower the vehicle.

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement

Claims for vehicles which have been serviced must be submitted on the DIAL System.Claims submitted will be used by Chrysler to record recall service completions andprovide dealer payments.

Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:

Replace lower steering column coupler

Labor Operation Time
Number Allowance
19741182 0.5 hours

Add the cost of the recall parts package plus applicable dealer allowance to your claim.
Note: See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section forcomplete recall claim processing instructions.