Attachment III - Technical Information
AFFECTED VEHICLES: CERTAIN 2000 MODEL YEAR ECONOLINEOVERVIEW
The affected vehicles may have an incorrectly installed axle pivot bracket for the left axle. There are two different repair procedures for this program: Repair A (Inverted Bolts) and Repair B (Replace Rivets). The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) will determine the repair procedure you will use. The majority of the affected vehicles will require Repair A.
REPAIR A - INVERTED BOLTS
The pivot bracket is typically retained with rivets. However, this repair involves vehicles that have a combination of rivets and bolts to retain the pivot bracket. Bolts installed in the upper row may be installed from the bottom which allows the end of the bolt to make contact with the oil pan during certain driving conditions. These bolt(s) must be removed and discarded. A new bolt(s) must be installed from the top. The engine will need to be raised off of the crossmember to provide clearance for installation of the bolt(s).
REPAIR B - REPLACE RIVETS (19 VEHICLES)
These vehicles have rivets retaining the pivot bracket. The rivets are incorrectly installed, and must be replaced with bolts. The rivets will be drilled out two at a time, then bolts will be installed from the top. The engine will need to be raised off of the crossmember to provide clearance for installation of the bolts.
INSPECTION
Here are the VINs of the 19 affected vehicles that require Repair B:
1. Check the VIN number on the vehicle you are working on and compare it to the VIN list.
a. If the VIN is listed as one of the 19 vehicles that require rivet replacement, go to REPAIR B - REPLACE RIVETS (19 VEHICLES).
b. If the VIN is not listed, raise the vehicle on a hoist and proceed to the next step.
2. Inspect the left axle pivot bracket retainers.
a. If rivets are found in position 1 and 2 (see figure 1), no further service is required. Release the vehicle.
b. If bolts are found in position 1 and 2 AND ARE INSTALLED FROM THE TOP POINTING DOWN, no further service is required. Release the vehicle.
c. If the bolts are found in position 1 and 2 AND ARE INSTALLED FROM THE BOTTOM POINTING UP, they must be replaced. Go to REPAIR A - INVERTED BOLTS.
REPAIR A - INVERTED BOLTS
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. On gasoline engine vehicles, remove the lower air deflector.
3. Visually inspect the bolts in positions 1 and 2 as shown in the illustration. See Figure 1.
4. If either bolt is installed from the bottom (pointing upward toward the oil pan), the bolt(s) must be removed and replaced.
5. Position an adjustable vehicle stand and a block of wood under the oil pan.
6. Remove the right and left engine insulator-to-frame retaining nuts.
7. Remove the transmission mount-to-crossmember nuts.
CAUTION:
The engine should be lifted no more than 50 mm (2 in) to prevent damaging other engine components.
8. Raise the engine approximately 50 mm (2 in).
9. Remove and discard the incorrectly installed bolt(s) from the axle pivot bracket.
10. Install a new bolt(s) (N811530-S100) from the top and nut(s) (N802074-S2) from the bottom. Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
11. Lower the engine.
12. Install the engine insulator nuts. Tighten the nuts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
13. Install the transmission mount-to-crossmember nuts. Tighten the nuts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
14. Install the lower air deflector (gasoline engines only).
15. Lower the vehicle.
REPAIR B - REPLACE RIVETS (19 VEHICLES)
WARNING:
REMOVE NO MORE THAN TWO (2) RIVETS AT ONE TIME TO MAINTAIN SUPPORT FOR THE PIVOT ARM.
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. On gasoline engine vehicles, remove the lower air deflector.
3. Position an adjustable vehicle stand and a block of wood under the oil pan.
4. Remove the right and left engine insulator-to-frame retaining nuts.
5. Remove the transmission mount-to-crossmember nuts.
CAUTION:
The engine should be lifted no more than 50 mm (2 in) to prevent damaging other engine components.
6. Raise the engine approximately 50 mm (2 in).
7. Center punch two (2) rivets, then drill a 7 mm (1/4 inch) pilot hole in each rivet. See Figure 2.
8. Drill off the heads of the rivets with a 12 mm (15/32 inch) drill bit. Use of a chisel may be necessary.
9. Ream the holes with a 13 mm (1/2 inch) drill bit.
10. Install new bolts (58675-S2) with new washers (44879-S2) from the top, then install new washers (44879-S2) and new nuts (34989-82) from the bottom. Tighten to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft).
11. Perform steps 6 through 9 on the remaining two (2) rivets.
12. Lower the engine.
13. Install the engine insulator nuts. Tighten the nuts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
14. Install the transmission mount-to-crossmember nuts. Tighten the nuts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
15. Install the lower air deflector (gasoline engines only).
16. Lower the vehicle.