Notice from Volvo

I received a notice from Volvo yesterday (9/22/10) regarding the '01-'05 drag link recall.  Surprised me since mine falls outside the recall.

Excerpts:

"Your vehicle was not manufactured within this time frame; however, your vehicle was originally manufactured with the TRW non-greasable drag link.  Considering the age of your vehicle and expected life of the component, we expect that the original drag link has likely been replaced by now and therefore not subject to the recall."

They went on to explain the consequences of a failure and provided very detailed instruction for daily and 25k mile inspections and strongly recommended frequent inspections.

They are correct in that I did replace mine a couple of years ago.  This made we happy for two reasons - 1 Volvo NA knows where my truck is so I will receive notices of future issues, and, 2 I now have good instructions on how to inspect the drag link

There are 2 things on a vehicle I NEVER, EVER screw around with, BRAKES and STEERING

"At the steering arm end (i.e., the adjustable end), push down and pull up on the drag link in a direction towards the ground by reaching over the drivers side front tire.  Any movement requires placing the vehicle out of service for immediate replacement of the ball socket."

"At the steering gear end (i.e., the fixed end), push in and pull out on the drag link in a direction towards the engine.  Any movement, other than rotational, requires placing the vehicle out of service for immediate replacement of the drag link.  Rotational movement is normal..."

"If no movement is detected by hand, the socket is operable."

"Important Note: Do not use a wrench or other objects to apply leverage when inspecting ball sockets.  Applying leverage can damage components, which may ultimately result in loss of steering control."

Notice date of doc.

I'll add to what Dave said.  I don't mess around with, or cheap out on certain things.  Brakes, tires, steering fall into that.  All of them can have very bad results.

Just a side note., my drag link was caught about 4 years ago at the Rally at Doonan's via a VIS.  It was worn at the time and could have been used for awhile.  I had it replaced.

On a related note I have a trusted mechanic look over my truck every year, just for things that are "iffy" or might be going bad.  In addition to the DOT I have done and other routine things.  It is well worth the money to have a PROFESSIONAL that works on these trucks daily look at it.  Experience counts for a lot. IMO.

I've seen these drag links first hand pop apart in service terminal parking lots, there was minimal warning,  it just popped out of the socket.  That stupid test they are publishing is not worth a damn if it's bound up, which is when they usually pop apart.  (One of the trucks was in a Volvo shop and the tech gave it a thumbs up less than a week before). Feeling lucky?

Apparently, Volvo has an 800# that they can call with the VIN# and find out.

I should get a call back sometime today...

bjarm, on Sep 23 2010, 11:44 AM, said:
There is a rumor that Volvo may release a drag link with a grease Zerk in months

The rumors are true, though I don't remember it being a Volvo direct part, I remember it being an aftermarket supplier such as Moog.  The article was in a fleet repair publication a while back.  What would really be an improvement is to make the ends replaceable as well, much like the ones on the 4wd GM pickups from the 70's/80's.

I don't remember how much the new one cost me, but it wasn't too much to but piece of mind.
Doug

The tests above are applicable to ALL tie rod ends on ANY vehicle.  Any slop or wiggle (other than rotation) is a IMMEDIATE replacement.

Second-- absolutely do not compromise on this.  For non-mechanics, this is the link between your wheels and the steering box.  If it pops off, you have ZERO control over your truck.  It will go where ever it wants to (downhill!) Possibly the single most important part on your truck to be in top condition.  If your brakes fail, you have a good chance of slowing down safely, but if the drag link disconnects at speed there is a very high likelihood of an accident.

Finally, many service dealers check this as part of routine lube/safety inspection.  At CIT is Peru IL, I think I paid around $200 for Oil change/grease/general multipoint inspection. WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Funny thing is my truck was just at a local Volvo dealer about 3 weeks ago, and the only open item on my serial number was the Wiper Motor recall (which they fixed)
Weird
Doug

But, as usual, I have a question - is it supposed to look like this or did the mechanism blow up the seal with the grease gun.

In case you are not aware of the differences in what most consider "is just grease", file this in the back of your mind as well:

One of the biggest causes of component failure on any greasable part is failing to purge the existing grease out of the component.  Far too often the tech will simply inject enough until they see some kind of grease move, which is better than nothing, but if there is metallic wear or water contaminating the old grease, the lube service you pay for is not going to be as effective as you expect it to be.  Unless I know beyond any doubt that the existing grease in a joint is the same type as what I am replacing it with, I make sure I see the new grease flowing out of it without a doubt.
Incompatible grease will react with one another, usually breaking down.  This results in the remaining grease failing to maintain the protective lube and sealing properties is designed and used for.

If you are still near or in contact with the shop that did the work, ask them what brand and type of grease they use.  Write it down in your maintenance folder or if it is available in a hand pump grease tube, go buy a few of them.  Keep them on hand so you can service the easy to get to Zerks like the drag link yourself without fear of introducing
incompatibles grease into them.  I actively make sure whoever bring a vehicle or machine to me for service understands this, since there are dozens of different grease products on the market now.  Everything from suspension wax like lube to high speed synthetic high temp bearing lube. NOT good to confuse them, VERY VERY BAD to put suspension grease
in a wheel bearing.

This is one of the reasons a lot of manufacturing companies are going with non-serviceable components, it's keeps the ignorant lube tech from screwing things up before the warranty is expired.  It's not always about making things disposable, just most of the time.

I'm sure the experts will chime in on this to correct me, which I truly hope they do, since I'm far from anything to an ASTM guru with lubes myself.