PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REPLACING THE FENDER STEPS ON CERTAIN 973D TRACK-TYPE LOADERS Caterpillar

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REPLACING THE FENDER STEPS ON CERTAIN 973D TRACK-TYPE LOADERS

Usage:

REBE6789-00

Show/hide table

17Mar2011

U-106

D-96

O-100

Show/hide table

*Priority*	PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REPLACING THE FENDER STEPS ON CERTAIN 973D TRACK-TYPE LOADERS
7254		PI31856

Show/hide table

NOTE:

This Program must be administered as soon as possible. When reporting the repair, use "PI31856" as the Part Number and "7751" as the Group Number, "56" as the Warranty Claim Description Code and "T" as the SIMS Description code. Exception: If the repair is done after failure, use "PI31856" as the Part Number, "7751" as the Group Number, "96" as the Warranty Claim Description Code, and "Z" as the SIMS Description Code.

Show/hide table

NOTE:

The information supplied in this service letter may not be valid after the termination date of this program. Do not perform the work outlined in this Service Letter after the termination date without first contacting your Caterpillar product analyst.

Show/hide table

COMPLETION DATE	TERMINATION DATE
30Sep2011	31Mar2012

PROBLEM

Show/hide table

The left and right fender steps may fail on certain 973D Track-Type Loaders. The existing design is not robust enough. The cable that retains the step in the open position may fail and may result in damage to the sheet metal. Also, the lock used to hold the step in the closed position may break because it is not designed to support the step weight.

AFFECTED PRODUCT

Show/hide table

Model	Identification Number
973D	LCP00108-00125, 127-132

PARTS NEEDED

Show/hide table

Qty	Part Number	Description
8	5C2890	NUT-HEX
8	7X7729	WASHER
4	8T4133	NUT
4	8T4195	BOLT
8	9X8256	WASHER
4	2212718	BUMPER
2	3580921	LATCH AS
2	3605443	BRACKET AS
2	3615856	STEP AS
2	3615857	PLATE
In order to allow equitable parts availability to all participating dealers, please limit your initial parts order to not exceed 40% of dealership population. This is an initial order recommendation only, and the ultimate responsibility for ordering the total number of parts needed to satisfy the program lies with the dealer.

ACTION REQUIRED

Show/hide table

Replace the fender steps and latches on both sides of the machine.

Refer to the attached Rework Procedure.

Show/hide table

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Show/hide table

U.S. and Canadian owners will receive the attached Owner Notification.

SERVICE CLAIM ALLOWANCES

Show/hide table

Caterpillar		Dealer Suggested		Customer Suggested
Parts %	Labor Hrs%	Parts %	Labor Hrs%	Parts %	Labor Hrs%
100%	100%	0%	0%	0%	0%

Show/hide table

NOTE: This is a 4.0-hour job

Show/hide table

PARTS DISPOSITION

Show/hide table

Handle the parts in accordance with your Warranty Bulletin on warranty parts handling.

MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Show/hide table

COPY OF OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR U.S. AND CANADIAN OWNERS

XYZ Corporation
3240 Arrow Drive
Anywhere, YZ 99999

PRIORITY - PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR REPLACING THE FENDER STEPS

MODELS INVOLVED - 973D Track-Type Loaders

Dear Caterpillar Product Owner:

The fender steps need to be replaced on the products listed below. The existing step design is not robust enough. The cable that retains the step in the open position may fail and this may damage the sheet metal. Also, the lock used to close the step may break as it is not designed to support the step weight. You will not be charged for the service performed.

Contact your local Caterpillar dealer immediately to schedule this service. The dealer will advise you of the time required to complete this service.

Please refer the dealer to their Service Letter dated 17Mar2011 when scheduling this service.

We regret the inconvenience this may cause you, but urge you to have this service performed as soon as possible to prevent unscheduled downtime.

Caterpillar Inc.

Identification #(s)

Attached to 17Mar2011 Service Letter

Rework Procedure

Show/hide table

The following rework procedure describes how to replace the steps on both sides of the machine. The step part number is the same for both sides, but modifications are different on each side. The new steps use a more robust latch.

Image 1.1.1 shows a typical example of the new step compared to the existing step, but does not show both sides of the machine.

Image1.1.1

LEFT SIDE REWORK:

1. Open the step. Remove the four 8C-8585 Screws and the existing 290-5456 Plate. Retain the 8C-8585 Screws for reuse. Do not reuse the 290-5456 Plate.

2. Remove the bolts and cable. Do not reuse.

Image1.2.1

3. Remove the three 5C-7261 Nuts and three 8T-4224 Washers in order to disassemble the step. Retain this hardware for reuse with the new step assembly.

Image1.3.1

4. Cut the fender as shown in Image 1.4.1 and remove the cam-stop plate as indicated by the cross-hatches.

Dimension:
A = 45mm
B = 30mm

Image1.4.1

5. Drill two 11mm diameter holes on the vertical wall as shown in Image 1.5.1.

Dimension:
C = 65mm
D = 70mm
E = 36mm
F = 28mm

Image1.5.1

6. Smooth as needed, and paint the reworked area.

Image1.6.1

7. Attach the new 358-0921 Latch to the new 361-5856 Step Assembly using 5C-2890 Nuts and 9X-8256 Washers. Tighten to a torque of 12 +/- 3 N.m.

8. Install the new step using the three 5C-7261 Nuts and three 8T-4224 Washers removed in Step 2. Tighten to a torque of 28 +/- 7 N.m.

Image1.7.1

9. Install the 360-5443 Bracket Assembly using two 8T-4195 Bolts, two 8T-4133 Nuts and four 7X-7729 Washers. Tighten to a torque of 55 +/- 10 N.m.

Image1.8.1

10. Adjust the step and the bracket position in order for the latch to work properly.

11. Assemble the 361-5857 Plate to the step using four 8C-8585 Screws retained from Step 1. Tighten to a torque of 55 +/- 10 N.m.

12. Insert the two 221-2718 Bumpers through the holes on the step in the area shown in Image1.10.1.

Image1.10.1

RIGHT SIDE REWORK:

NOTE: Right side rework is similar to left side rework.

1. Open the step. Remove the four 8C-8585 Screws and the existing 290-5456 Plate. Retain the 8C-8585 Screws for reuse. Do not reuse the 290-5456 Plate.

2. Remove the bolts and cable. Do not reuse.

3. Remove the original step. Retain the bolts and washers for reuse.

4. Cut the second new 360-5443 Bracket as shown in Image1.13.1

Dimension:
G = 55mm
H = 19mm

Image1.13.1

5. After the cut, make a radius on the cut edges to avoid any sharp edge

Image1.14.1

6. On vertical wall, drill two 11mm diameter holes as shown in Image1.15.1.

Dimension:
J = 60mm
K = 65mm
L = 31mm
M = 23mm

Image1.15.1

7. Attach the new 358-0921 Latch to the new 361-5856 Step Assembly using 5C-2890 Nuts and 9X-8256 Washers.

8. Install the new step using (with 358-0921 latch bolted on using 5C-2890 nuts and 9X-8256 washers). Put the three 5C-7261 Nuts and three 8T-4224 Washers. Tighten to a torque of 28 +/- 7 N.m.

Image1.16.1

9. Install 360-5443 Bracket as using two 8T-4195 Bolts, two 8T-4133 Nuts and four 7X-7729 Washers. Tighten to a torque of 55+/-10 N.m.

Image1.17.1

10. Grind the fender locally in order to avoid interference with the studs and nuts of the latch.

Image1.18.1

11. Adjust the step and the bracket position in order for the latch to work properly.

12. Paint the reworked area.

13. Assemble the 361-5857 Plate to the step using four 8C-8585 Screws retained in Step 1. Tighten to a torque of 55 +/- 10 N.m.

14. Insert the two 221-2718 Bumpers through the holes on the step in the area shown in Image1.21.1.