Recall - Right Front Axle Housing Inspection/Replacement
NUMBER: WXY-82DATE: 12/2000
APPLICABILITY:
2001 MY Subaru Legacy and Outback
SUBJECT:
Improper Casting of Right Front Axle Housing
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that a number of 2001MY Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles may have been manufactured with an improperly cast right front axle housing.
This program will involve the inspection of affected vehicles for possible right front axle housing replacement.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
The affected vehicles are 2001 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles identified in the VIN range chart.
NOTE:
Coverage for 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 CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are to promptly inspect all vehicles subject to this recall 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 outlined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall campaign is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the recall procedure has been completed before selling or releasing the vehicle.
PARTS INFORMATION
Please Do Not Stock Order Parts.
Because the number of vehicles produced with the affected LOT number is relatively small, replacement parts should only be ordered for vehicles that have been confirmed to have a right front axle housing with the affected LOT number. Parts 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.
SOA has prepared a special right front axle housing kit, part number SOA550H100, that contains a right front axle housing that has been pre-assembled with wheel bearings, snap ring and grease seals. The kit also contains all other parts necessary to complete this repair.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Raise the vehicle on a lift. Inspect the lot number on the right (passenger side) front axle housing as pictured.
2. If the lot number is OF15, replace the housing. If there is any other lot number, replacement is not necessary.
REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
Important:
Attempting to perform service procedures other then those recommended in the applicable Subaru Service Manual will cause damage to components. This damage may not be noticeable by a visual inspection but may result in future premature failures of related components such as wheel bearings.
The following instructions should be followed carefully to ensure proper replacement of the right front axle housing assembly.
Following the procedures found in section 5 of the 2001 Subaru Service Manual:
1) Remove the right front axle housing from the vehicle.
2) Remove the hub from the old housing.
3) Remove the old bearing inner race from the hub and discard.
4) Install the hub in the new pre-assembled replacement housing.
Note:
The replacement right front axle housing has been pre-assembled with wheel bearings, snap ring and grease seals. The bearings have been pre-packed with the correct amount of grease and do not require additional grease.
5) Install the new housing assembly using the new hardware provided.
For proper assembly and torque procedures, also refer to the Subaru publication, "Wheel Bearing Replacement Procedure: A visual guide" (MSA5TT0001).
6) Check the vehicle's suspension by performing a four-wheel alignment. Adjust the suspension as necessary.
RENTAL CAR
For retail customers, SOA will pay the cost of a one-day car rental when an affected vehicle requires right front axle housing replacement provided:
1) The LOT number found on the original right front axle housing matches the affected one.
2) The part is ordered VOR next day air.
The one-day car rental charges may be included with the Recall/Campaign claim submission.
RECALL CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Type or print the necessary information on a Recall Campaign 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 recall campaign 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 axle housing lot number. The affected lot number is not present, indicating replacement is not necessary. A total of 0.2 labor hours will be automatically credited upon claim submission.
Inspection and Replacement - Use the following claim submission information if the right front axle housing was found to contain the affected lot number and replacement was necessary.
For right front axle housing inspection and replacement enter labor operation 161-182 for 2.2 labor hours. The claim will automatically be credited an additional 0.2 labor hours for inspection. A total of 2.4 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 a sublet with comments indicating "sublet for overnight freight".
If applicable, enter car rental amount.
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