Recall - Transverse Link Bolt Torque Inspection
NUMBER: WXS-76DATE: 10/4/99
APPLICABILITY:
2000 Model Year Subaru Legacy L Sedan Models as indicated below
SUBJECT:
Transverse Link Bracket Bolt; Insufficient Torque
Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that a small number of 2000 Model Year Legacy L Sedan vehicles may have been manufactured with insufficient torque application to the transverse link bracket bolts. During manufacture, a protective wax coating is applied to the vehicle frame. The application of the PVC protective coating may affect the torque specification of the transverse link bracket bolts. Insufficient torque to the bracket bolts can result in loosening of the bracket and subsequent separation of the transverse link from the vehicle frame.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Make/Model: Subaru Legacy L Sedan
Model Year: 2000
Production Dates: July 12, 1999 through August 25, 1999
VIN Range: 4S3BE63**Y*200447-202314
Note 1:
Only a portion of the vehicles within the VIN range are affected. Confirm the vehicle is applicable using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS) prior to performing any inspection or repair.
Note 2:
Although the involved vehicles are within the above VIN range not all vehicles in the range were sold in the US.
Note 3:
Various characters may occupy the VIN positions identified by "*"
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Subaru will telephone the (17) affected owners of vehicles currently retailed to request that they return to their dealer for a service appointment. SOA will also prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of the potentially affected vehicles. Most of the vehicles affected by this recall are in dealer inventory and should be corrected prior to sale. Owner notification is scheduled for 10/11/99.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
As stated previously, a small number of vehicles affected by this Recall Campaign have been sold to customers. Dealers are requested to perform the Service Procedure on potentially affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used and demo) prior to retail in accordance with the instructions in the Service Procedure Section of this bulletin.
PARTS INFORMATION
There are no replacement parts required for this Recall Campaign. The Service Procedure involves inspection and potential disassembly, cleaning and reinstallation of the Transverse Link Bracket assembly.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The following procedure is for checking that the proper torque exists between the Left Hand side Transverse Link Mounting Bracket and the vehicle body.
Shop Equipment needed:
1. Rag, cloth, etc., for wiping undercoating from affected area.
2. Alcohol (or kerosene, or thinner) for loosening undercoating around affected area.
3. Scraper.
4. Torque Wrench.
5. 19mm Socket.
General Flow Chart of check and repair procedure
DETAILED CHECK & REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Lift up vehicle.
2. Wipe away bitumen wax (black undercoating) around LH (drivers side) Transverse Link Bracket using alcohol and a rag (refer to Figure 1)
3. Judge whether PVC sealer (looks like yellow wax) is applied at affected area or not.
IF NO PVC IS PRESENT, PROCEED TO STEP 4.
IF PVC IS PRESENT, PROCEED TO STEP 5.
4. If no PVC is present, check the tightening torque of the Transverse Link Mounting Bolt, which is towards the outside of the vehicle body.
Torque Specification: 181 ± 36 ft-lb. (245 +/- 49 N-m; 25.0 +/- 5.0 kg-m)
After checking the torque of the bolt, the procedure is complete.
5. In case that PVC sealer is present around the affected area, remove the 2 Transverse Link Mounting Bracket Bolts.
6. Using a scraper, remove the PVC sealer from the contact surface of both the mounting bracket and the body.
7. After removing the PVC sealer, reinstall the Transverse Link to the body using the original mounting bolts. Use the previous bracket markings as a guide to try to position the bracket in its original position as much as possible.
8. Re-torque the mounting bolts to the specified torque as shown in Step 4 above.
9. Check, and adjust if necessary, the wheel alignment of the vehicle.
Procedure is complete.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit to perform this recall will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communications System (DCS).
Listed below is claim entry information:
Inspection Only - Use the following claim submission information for inspection of the transverse link bracket tightening torque. A total of 0.3 labor hours will be credited upon claim submission.
Inspection and Repair - Use the following claim submission information if inspection indicates removal and reinstallation of the transverse link bracket bolts is required. Enter labor operation number 161-133 for 1.1 labor hours.
Note:
A total of 1.4 labor hours will be credited. This includes the 0.3 labor hours automatically added to the claim for the inspection.
CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this bulletin will require a Recall Campaign Completion Label. Each label provides a space to include the dealer code of the dealer performing the recall campaign. The information may be inserted on the completion label with a typewriter or permanent ink pen. After completing the information on the label, attach the label on the upper radiator cowl.
A quantity of 25 labels is being provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional labels are available through your area/distributor service office.
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