Recall - Front Strut Upper Spring Mount Replacement

GROUP 31
Front Axle

31 02 02

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Service Engineering

March, 2002

This Service Information bulletins supersedes S.I.B 31 02 02 dated March 2002.

PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.

Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended, if there has been a recall campaign, dealers must assure that all new vehicles and new items of replacement equipment are free of safety defects and comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards at the time of delivery to the consumer. This means that dealers may not deliver new motor vehicles or new items of replacement equipment to consumers unless the safety defect or noncompliance has been remedied before delivery.

SUBJECT
Recall Campaign 02V-057, Front Spring Strut Upper Mount

MODEL
E46 (3 Series) and E39 (5 Series)

SITUATION
The potential defect involves the front spring strut upper mounts in certain MY 2002 BMW vehicles. It is possible that, during the manufacturing process of the strut, the thrust bearing was not properly positioned and secured within the upper mount of a limited number of front struts.

In such a case, if the suspension is fully unloaded, the front strut could separate from the upper mount.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
This Recall Campaign involves E46 and E39 vehicles which were produced from 6 November 2001 through 20 November 2001.

In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this Recall Campaign, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.








The Chassis Number Ranges shown are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.

CORRECTION
The repair consists of replacing both front strut mounts.

PROCEDURE
Replace both front strut mounts, see Repair Instructions section 31 33 001.

Caution:
Due to the nature of the possible defect, extra safety precautions should be followed. Prior to removing the strut assembly, check to see if the mount is intact. If the strut mount is not intact, the strut assembly will not be supported at the upper mounting point and can move unexpectedly during removal or when the suspension is unloaded. Therefore, the strut assembly must be supported during the removal process. Failure to properly support the strut assembly could result in damage to the vehicle and/or injury.





PARTS INFORMATION

LABEL INSTRUCTIONS

This Recall Campaign has been assigned code number 323. After the vehicle has been checked, and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD92-180) and:

a. emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);

b. punch out code number 323 printed on the label and,





c. affix the label to the B pillar as shown.

If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched out hole of the new label.

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WARRANTY INFORMATION