Recall - Front Suspension Strut Ball Joint Defect: Overview
FILESERVICE: GROUP 00 OF SERVICE INFORMATION BINDER
PARTS: GROUP 1 OF INFORMATION_PARTS AND ACCESSORIES BINDER
Campaign No. 2009010002, March 2009
TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
Revision Date Purpose
A 03/04/09 Revision to Estimated Replacement in the Parts Table
- 02/03/09 Initial Release
SUBJECT:
Model 221, Model Year 2007
Check Both Front ABC Struts, Replace Front Strut Ball Joints if Necessary
This Recall Campaign has been initiated because DAG has determined that a defect may exist in the ball joints of the front struts due to a manufacturing process flaw at the supplier. The process flaw may affect the ball joints only after significant mileage accumulation combined with exposure to high continuous stress by driving on rough-roads. If a ball joint fails the steer-ability of the vehicle may be affected which may lead to a vehicle crash. During quality testing, DAG detected a small number of ball joints of the front struts that may not meet Mercedes-Benz long term durability requirements. Supplier investigation led to the identification of a production range which utilized the affected parts.
Prior to performing this Recall Campaign:
^ Please check VMI to determine if the vehicle is involved in the Campaign and if it has been previously repaired.
^ Please review the entire Recall Campaign bulletin and follow the repair procedure exactly as described.
Please note that Recall and Service Campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle with a vehicle status indicator.
Approximately 1524 vehicles are involved.
A Check part number and production number on both front ABC strut
1. Check part number on both ABC struts and write it down on paper:
^ If part number is not included in table above procedure is complete (front strut ball joint does not require replacement).
^ If part number is included in table proceed to Step 2.
2. In the table (above) Check whether the production number is lower than listed in the line of the existing part number:
^ If production number higher than or the same procedure is complete.
^ If production number is lower than listed proceed to Subject B (Replace Both ABC Front Strut Ball Joints).
Note:
^ If only one of the of the front strut ball joints requires replacement (as indicated above), replace both front strut ball joints.
^ Disregard the last number (C, Figure 1) when checking the part number (this is a check digit)
B Replace Both ABC Front Strut Ball Joints
1. Remove wheels.
2. Support lower control arm (A, Figure 3) with under hoist utility stand (B).
3. Disconnect strut ball joint (A, Figure 2) from lower control arm (B, Figure 2) refer to WIS: AR32.25-P-1017SY steps 5 - 6 only.
4. Pull ABC strut backward and raise lower control arm (A, Figure 3) upward using under hoist utility stand (B, Figure 3) until ball joint is accessible (Figure 4).
5. Remove ABC strut ball joint from strut:
^ Counter hold ABC strut with open wrench (A, Figure 5) at hexagon and remove ball joint with tool (B) provided in campaign parts kit.
^ Clean thread with bottoming tap (Figure 6): M 16x 1.5 mm and remove thread adhesive using compressed air.
Caution:
^ This step must be performed to remove any remaining thread-locking adhesive.
^ Install new ball joint using tool (B, Figure 5) provided in campaign parts kit. Torque ball joint to 80 Nm (Figure 7).
Note:
When threading ball joint into strut, ensure that no thread locking adhesive remains between strut and ball joint.
Caution:
The ball joint installation/removal tool provided must only be used for a maximum of 2 ball joint replacements.
6. Align ball joint with suspension strut:
^ Turn ABC strut at lower hexagon with open end wrench (A, Figure 5) so that threaded pin (A, Figure 8) of ball joint points in direction of bore (B) in lower control arm.
^ Ensure that ABC strut boot is not twisted.
7. Complete the reassembly in reverse order of removal.
8. Repeat procedure on opposite side.
Special Tools
Parts Information
Note:
^ Please be aware that only the part number(s) referenced in the Campaign Bulletin is/are approved for use to repair the vehicle. Repairs performed using any other part(s) will not have been performed in accordance with the campaign. Accordingly, warranty claims submitted with reference to an improper part number(s) will be denied.
^ The following allowable labor operation should be used when submitting a warranty claim for this repair:
Warranty Information
Note Regarding Customer Reimbursement