If this condition is ignored, the steering gear to frame can wear and/or fatigue the attaching bolts to the point of breakage or the bolts backing out. If all the bolts break or back out, the steering gear would separate from the frame resulting in a loss of steering control.

Steering — Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)

Date Announced
OCT 06, 1998
Vehicles Affected
8,367
NHTSA Campaign #
98V242000
Summary
Vehicle description: Extended cab 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. Some of these vehicles have a lower than specified torque on all three of the steering gear to frame attachment bolts. The bolts can loosen over time allowing the steering gear to move. This loosening can result in some unresponsive steering feel and some noise to the driver.
Actions
Dealers will retorque the steering gear to frame bolts to proper specifications.
Documents (1)