Drag Link Non-Recall

Drag Link Non-Recall

Notice from Volvo

Dennis M
23 September 2010
09:27 AM
Have not seen this posted, so just FYI.

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the age of your vehicle and expected life of the component, we expect that the original drag link has likely been replaced by now and therefore not subject to the recall."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

Rif
23 September 2010
09:42 AM
Emery got the same notice and posted it in PDF form.  It would be good if someone could post the inspection procedure being referred to.  I had mine inspected but would like to be able to do it myself.
Jack Mayer
23 September 2010
09:45 AM
Here is my advice about the drag links.  If YOU have not had it replaced, then replace it ASAP.  ALL drag links on these trucks should be replaced.  Why would you risk your life?  And that IS what you are doing. (I'm not a mechanic, but I will bet you the mechanics will back me on this.)  If you think I am over-reacting ask someone who had a failure while driving on the highway.
D K.
23 September 2010
10:18 AM
Jack has my support on that 100%.  I will go a step forward and state that any ignorant owner who chooses to procrastinate with this for the sake of saving a few dollars or is simply guessing it is "good enough" for the miles they drive the truck deserves the wreck they are tempting fate with. Self correcting behavior rarely effects just the jerk in the driver's seat though with something like this.  This is a known problem that every VN owner should address immediately.  I've posted about the VN drag links several times in the past, the threads can be found without a lot of effort using the search function.

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

Mark Trumbull
23 September 2010
10:25 AM
Dave,
What's the procedure for checking it?
How would I know if it's been done already?
If I call my dealer would they be able to find out if it's been done by using my VIN# ?
Thanks,
Mark
Dennis M
23 September 2010
10:35 AM
The inspection is pretty simple:

"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."

SIBERNUT
23 September 2010
10:36 AM
At this point, has there been any offer of reimbursement or replacement on the pre-2001 trucks?  Mine's tight, but I'd be a customer.
HERO Maker
23 September 2010
10:42 AM
Here is the official Doc from Volvo on Inspection Procedure with pictures.

Notice date of doc.

Jack Mayer
23 September 2010
10:42 AM
Mark
Unless Volvo can tell you from the VIN that it has been done recently, then CHANGE it.  Now. This is simply not something to mess with.  And in the grand scheme of things is not that expensive.

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.

D K.
23 September 2010
11:32 AM
Call or go to the dealer with your VIN# and order one, period.  There were several replacements that just stuck the same part# drag link on that was being recalled.  Even If you have to ask twice, the answer is still the same, replace the drag link.  I would not rely on anyone's word with this, it's your truck now, step up to the plate and remove all doubt.

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?

bjarm
23 September 2010
11:44 AMM
I also concur with Jack and others to just replace the drag link.  I understand it is under $400 parts and labor and the average service life is 250K miles.  There is a rumor that Volvo may release a drag link with a grease Zerk in months but when I talked to Volvo this morning they could provide no details. Be safe and replace.
Bruce
Mark Trumbull
23 September 2010
12:07 PM
Just called the dealer.

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

I should get a call back sometime today...

Mark Trumbull
23 September 2010
12:28 PM
I'm on the recall list - scheduled for first thing in the morning!
Thanks everyone.
Cheers,
Mark
D K.
23 September 2010
12:35 PM

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.

SIBERNUT
23 September 2010
12:36 PM
Called my local dealer.  Service writer (whom I have a good rapport with) says a recall on earlier models is on it's way in maybe 2 weeks, but they don't have the parts on hand yet.  I pointed out to him that I'd love to have a new one, & his shop would make money putting one in, "how stringent were the criteria" for replacement?  He suggested strongly it might be worth my while to call in a couple of weeks from now.
Ray H
23 September 2010
12:38 PM
Replaced mine when we were having the same discussion approximately 18 months ago.  Not real expensive.  There are certain things you just don't screw around with and this is very high upon that list.  If a drag link lets go at freeway speeds, you're in for one heck of an e-ticket ride.
Ray
D and J
23 September 2010
12:39 PM
I replaced mine when I bought our 780.  Turns out I am not of the recall list, but I know mine has been "upgraded."

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

Jack Mayer
23 September 2010
02:38 PM
The ones with the Zerk are aftermarket.  My replacement does not have the Zerk.  It would be nice if it did, but I'm not sweating it....
Jeff- C IL
23 September 2010
02:44 PM
I just thought I'd jump in with a couple things here as a non-VN owner.

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!

D and J
23 September 2010
03:14 PM
Strange,  I had just posted that I was not on the recall list .  Well, I just got our bi-monthly mail package a few minutes ago, and I received a letter from Volvo and I am in the recall group.

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

Rif
23 September 2010
03:41 PM
So what is different between the original and the replacement?  I thought it was Zerks, but apparently not.  How can you tell if yours is original or a replacement?  Someone else suggested that the service life is only 250K. If that's the case wouldn't most original ones be replaced long before most of us purchased our trucks, and maybe more than once?
HERO Maker
23 September 2010
03:47 PM
Doug, you are probably not in the dealer system because you replaced it when you bought the truck.  But, you should be able to get a refund of the amount you paid.  It hasn't been a year yet!
D and J
23 September 2010
05:37 PM
I don't think that is it Rocky.  The link wasn't replaced by Arrow/Volvo, it was done by the folks at Tru-trac when they singled the rear.  Tru-trac isn't tied to Volvo, so the replacement shouldn't have been reported.
Mark Trumbull
24 September 2010
11:25 AM
Just had the New draglink installed.

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.

D K.
24 September 2010
12:13 PM
That is not a "Seal," it is just a dirt boot, the grease is what makes the "seal" in a non rotating part like this.  If they actually fill the ball socket completely, it will cause the boot to swell like that, once it starts moving back and forth it will force the grease out of the boot.  Far too often the techs fail to put enough in on initial install since they see the factory grease packing and consider it "good enough."  I would wipe it off the excess and make sure the boot has not unseated from it's lip edge on the ball socket.

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.