Recall - Seat Belt Retractor Cover Bolt Torque
NUMBER: WWC-86DATE: 12/2000
APPLICABILITY:
2001 MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
SUBJECT:
Right Front Seatbelt Retractor Cover
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that affected models may have been produced with the right front seatbelt retractor cover bolts improperly tightened.
This program will involve the inspection and possible tightening of the right front seatbelt retractor cover bolts. In rare cases it may be necessary to replace the seatbelt assembly.
AFFECTED VEHICLES
2001 Subaru Legacy and Outback models.
Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart.
NOTE:
All affected vehicles must be confirmed by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS).
OWNER NOTIFICATION
SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of the affected vehicles. The owner notification is scheduled to be mailed in early January, 2001.
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly service all vehicles subject to this service program at no charge to the vehicle owner regardless of mileage, age of the vehicle, or ownership.
For affected vehicles sold after the date on the dealer's computer list, dealers are to contact those owners and provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter. They should also arrange to make the required correction according to the instructions in the service procedure section of this bulletin.
Dealers are also to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this service program is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the service program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
PARTS INFORMATION
Please Do Not Stock Order Parts.
There is only a very small possibility that replacement of the right front seatbelt will be necessary. Part replacement is only necessary when the seatbelt retractor cover is found to have missing bolts. Parts should only be ordered for vehicles that have been confirmed to have this condition. The part should be ordered VOR next day air. The VIN should be entered in the P0 reference field. The additional airfreight charges may be included with the Recall/Campaign claim submission.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Check the LOT number on the right front seatbelt. The label, illustrated, is located on the seatbelt webbing near the lower anchor point at the B-pillar. If LOT number 51634 or 51658 is found it will be necessary to check the seatbelt retractor cover bolt torque. If any other LOT number is found, no further action is necessary.
If LOT number 51634 or 51658 is found on the right front seatbelt, It will be necessary to check the seatbelt retractor cover bolt torque. Remove the "B" pillar cover. Remove the seatbelt retractor as illustrated.
Confirm that all six (6) tamper resistant TORX head bolts are present (as illustrated). If any of the bolts are missing it will be necessary to replace the seatbelt assembly. Do not attempt to substitute missing bolts.
If all bolts are present, use a No. TR 20 TORX driver to check for proper bolt torque as indicated below. If necessary, tighten the bolts to the proper torque specification.
Note:
The number 3 bolt is partially covered by a tab on the retractors plastic cover. Carefully bend the tab back enough to access the bolt. Do not attempt to remove the plastic cover.
Tightening torque for No. 1 and 2 bolts 22 +/- 2 kgf.cm (19 +/- 2 in-lb)
Tightening torque for No. 3 - 6 bolts 13 +/- 2 kgf.cm (11 +/- 2 in-lb)
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES
If during the inspection process any of the seatbelt retractor cover bolts were found to be missing, replace the seatbelt assembly following the procedures in the applicable Service Manual.
RENTAL CAR
For retail customers, SOA will pay the cost of a one-day car rental when an affected vehicle requires right front seatbelt replacement provided:
1. The LOT number found on the original seatbelt matches the affected one and the seatbelt requires replacement because one or more of the retractor cover bolts were found to be missing.
2. The part is ordered VOR next day air.
The one-day car rental charges may be included with the Recall/Campaign claim submission.
SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Service Program identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle's upper radiator support.
A quantity of labels is provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional labels are available through your Area/Distributor Service Office.
CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit for performing this Service Program will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communications System.
Listed below is claim entry information:
Inspection Only - Verification of the right front seatbelt lot number. An affected lot number is not present, indicating that further inspection is not necessary. A total of 0.2 labor hours will be automatically credited upon claim submission.
Continued Inspection and Retractor Cover Bolt Tightening - Use the following claim submission information if the right front seatbelt was found to contain an affected lot number and the retractor cover bolt torque was checked and tightened as necessary.
For right front seatbelt inspection, cover bolt torque check and tightening - enter labor operation 191-714 for 0.2 labor hours. The claim will automatically be credited an additional 0.2 labor hours for lot number inspection. A total of 0.4 labor hours will be credited.
Inspection and Right Front Seatbelt Replacement - Use the following claim submission information if the right front seatbelt was found to contain the affected lot number and the retractor cover bolt(s) were found to be missing and seatbelt replacement was necessary.
For right front seatbelt inspection and replacement enter labor operation 191-724 for 0.5 labor hours. The claim will automatically be credited an additional 0.2 labor hours for lot number inspection. A total of 0.7 labor hours will be credited.
Enter applicable part number(s). Parts will be reimbursed at dealer cost plus applicable handling allowance. If the part was ordered for overnight delivery, add the additional freight charge as sublet with comments indicating "sublet for overnight freight".
If applicable, enter car rental amount.
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