Recall - Rear Differential Check/Replacement
GROUP 33Rear Axle
Bulletin Number
33 03 99
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
November 1999
Product Engineering
PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS.
SUBJECT:
Recall Campaign 99V-272: Rear Axle Differential Check and/or Replacement
MODEL:
Z3 roadster 2.8, 2.3 and Z3 coupe 2.8
Situation:
BMW of North America, Inc. has voluntarily initiated a safety related Recall Campaign on a very limited number of Z3 vehicles.
The potential defect involves the rear axle differential of some of the affected vehicles. The differentials may contain ring gear bolts that were incorrectly torqued during assembly. As a result, a bolt or bolts could loosen, especially if the vehicle is driven aggressively, with abrupt starts and stops, or operated on rough roads. This can lead initially to noise from the differential, and in the extreme case, if a bolt were to completely work loose from its mount, to a lockup of the rear axle.
Vehicles Affected:
This recall involves Z3 roadster 2.8, 2.3 and Z3 coupe 2.8 vehicles produced on 11/24/98 and 11/25/98.
The procedure given in this bulletin must be performed on all affected vehicles identified on DCS.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this recall, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communication System). Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor.
Correction:
Check and/or replace the rear axle differential on all affected vehicles as outlined in the procedure below.
Procedure:
Raise the vehicle on a lift.
Using an inspection mirror and a strong light source, examine the barcode label located on top of the rear axle differential housing.
The top row starts with the last 7 digits of the part number: 1 428 438 shown.
Ignore the other numbers (from "/ " onwards) in the top row.
The bottom row consists of: 899810280988010 shown.
Explanation:
1st two digits: final drive type (89)
3rd and 4th digits: production year (98)
5th and 6th digits: production month (10)
7th and 8th digits: production day (28)
9th - 12 digits: running serial number (0988)
last 3 digits: ignore.
Only rear axle differential assemblies with the following part number, production date and running serial numbers should be replaced:
Part Number (first 7 digits - top row) = 1 428 438
Production Date (3rd - 8th digits - bottom row) = 98 10 28
Running Serial Numbers (9th - 12th digits - bottom row) = 1457,1458,1459,1462, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1468, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475, 1476, 1477.
If the numbers on the bar code label do not match the numbers listed above, no further action is necessary (do not replace the final drive assembly).
Parts Information:
Recall Label Instructions:
This recall campaign has been assigned code number 254. After the vehicle has been checked and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD 92-120) and:
a) emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);
b) punch out code number 254 printed on the label and,
c) affix the label to the B pillar as shown:
If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from an underlying label could appear in the punched-out hole of the new label.
Warranty Information:
Reimbursement for this recall campaign will be provided through Campaign Entry.