Recall 80E023000: Suspension, Front, Control Arm

NHTSA recall 80E023000 · announced September 24, 1980 · Dana · 35,411 units affected

The problem

BALL JOINTS MAY CONTAIN A 35/64 INCH THICK CASTELLATED NUT INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT 23/32 INCH THICK NUT. DUE TO THE INCORRECT SIZE, THE NUT MAY LOOSEN UNTIL IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE COTTER PIN. CORRESPONDING LOOSENING OF THE TAPERED BALL STUD COULD LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. THIS WOULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT TO STEERING KNUCKLE CONNECTION AND COLLAPSE OF THE LOWER PART OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

What to do

UPON INSPECTION, DEALER WILL INSTALL THE PROPER NUT IN THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Official NHTSA recall notice →

Notes

VEHICLE CATEGORY: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; BALL JOINTS (REPLACEMENT), PART NOS. JB-538 AND JB-587.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: COLLAPSE OF THE LOWER PART OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAYCAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: PRIOR TO FAILURE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE THESE WARNINGSIGNALS: ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IMPROPER FRONT END ALIGNMENT,AND LACK OF STEERING STABILITY.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.