FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN
BULLETIN
Subject: Field Service Campaign D18M7
DetroitTM Axle Steering Arm / Tie Rod Arm Capscrew Inspection

Issue Involved
Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) has determined that certain Freightliner®, Western
Star®, Thomas Built Bus, Inc, and Freightliner Customer Chassis Corporation vehicles
with DetroitTM Axles will need to have the steering arm and tie rod arm inspected for
correct capscrew torque.
On certain vehicles, steering arm and tie rod arm capscrews that join the steering arm
and tie rod arm to the knuckle may not have been torqued to specification. Loose steering
arm or tie rod arm capscrews may result in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a
crash.
Correct steering arm and tie rod capscrew torque became effective with front axles
manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico, after July 17, 2018. Any model year 2017 and 2018
Model 2, Model 3, and Model 5 front axle manufactured in Saltillo, Mexico, between
February 1, 2017, and July 17, 2018, will need steering arm and tie rod arm capscrews
inspected for correct torque and repaired if necessary. Note that some axles built within
this time frame may already have been inspected and/or repaired, and therefore
excluded from this Field Service Campaign.
There are approximately 633 vehicles affected by this Field Service Campaign.

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 2

Vehicles Involved
A list of vehicles that require this inspection is attached.
The table below gives descriptive information to help identify the affected units:

Front Axle
Model Series

Front Axle Model
Number

Model Year

Inclusive Front Axle Mfg. Date
(From) (To)

Model 2

DA-F-8.0-2
DA-F-8.0-3
DA-F-10.0-3
DA-F-10.5-3
DA-F-12.0-3
DA-F-12.5-3
DA-F-13.0-3
DA-F-13.3-3
DA-F-14.7-3
DA-F-16.0-5
DA-F-18.0-5
DA-F-20.0-5

2017-2018

February 1, 2017 to July 17, 2018

Model 3

Model 5

Owner Notification
Detroit Diesel will notify owners of equipment incorporating axles identified with this
Field Service Campaign. A copy of the owner letter that will be used by Detroit
Diesel is enclosed with this Field Service Campaign Bulletin.

Dealer Campaign Responsibility
Detroit Diesel authorized DetroitTM Axle repair facilities to service all axles subject to
this Field Service Campaign. Field Service Campaign D18M7 is to be performed at
no charge to owners on all affected axles under the axle warranty or prior to
November 30, 2019, under the provisions of this Field Service Campaign.
Please use the appropriate steps, noted below, for indicating that Field Service
Campaign D18M7 has been completed.

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 3

Daimler Trucks North America Vehicles


Check the base label (Form WAR259) to see if Field Service Campaign D18M7
has been completed. The base label is usually located on the passenger-side
door about 30 cm (12 inches) below the door latch. If Field Service Campaign
D18M7 has been completed, no further work is needed. If base label is not
located on the passenger-side door, please affix label (Form WAR259) 30 cm
(12 inches) from the door latch.



Upon completion of Field Service Campaign D18M7, clean a spot on the base
label (Form WAR259), write the Field Service Campaign Number (D18M7) on a
blank, black completion sticker (Form WAR261), and attach it to the base label.

Ordering Information
1. If you do not have the appropriate Form or Labels (DDC_WAR 259,
DDC_WAR 260. DDC_WAR 261), they can be ordered from EPI Printers
by emailing your order to [email protected].
2. You can also fax in your order to 269-698-4240 Attn: Corrina Cotton.
3. Contact EPI Printers at 734-464-9000.

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 4

Parts Information
There are no parts required for this Field Service Campaign unless an undertorque capscrew is discovered. If the inspection results require capscrew
replacement, or capscrew, steering arm and steering knuckle replacement, the
required parts for this repair are shown below in Table 1. Note that DetroitTM expects
a very low percentage of vehicles on the list to require any parts replacement.
Front Axle Model
Series
Model 2 and
Model 3

Part Number

Quantity

MBA 308676020025

2

MBA 308676020022

4

MBA 308676024003

2 or
4 (Dual Steer)

MBA 308676024002

4

Model 5
Refer to
All Models
DTNAConnect.com
and PartsPro
Refer to
All Models
DTNAConnect.com
and PartsPro
Refer to
All Models
DTNAConnect.com
and PartsPro
PEX 27010 or locally
All Models
available equivalent
Table 1 – Parts Information

Description
Capscrew, Steering Arm - M20 x
1.5 x 80mm, 10.9
Capscrew, Tie Rod Arm - M20 x
1.5 x 90mm, 10.9
Capscrew, Steering Arm - M24 x
2.0 x 90mm, 10.9
Capscrew, Tie Rod Arm - M20 x
2.0 x 100mm, 10.9
Steering Knuckle

Steering Arm

Tie Rod Arm
Loctite® 277 Red Threadlocker or
equivalent

Capscrew Inspection Procedure
Note: Each vehicle and axle configuration may require different extensions to
properly get the socket onto the capscrew so that the torque can be checked. In
most cases, all of the capscrews are accessible with the steering wheel turned
all the way to the left or to the right with the hood open.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and turn the steering wheel all the way to the
left to expose the steering arm capscrews and the front tie rod arm capscrew on
the driver’s side of the vehicle. The rear tie rod arm capscrew on the
passenger’s side should also be accessible from behind the tire.

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 5
2. Apply the parking brake, turn off the ignition, chock the rear wheels, and
perform any other applicable safety steps.
3. Using a suitable torque wrench, check the torque on the two steering arm
capscrews as well as the forward tie rod capscrew on the driver’s side
and the rear tie rod capscrew on the passenger’s side. See Figure 1.
a. For Model 2 and Model 3 axles with a M20 capscrew, the torque
should be checked at 525 N·m (390 lb·ft).
b. For Model 5 axles with a M24 capscrew, the torque should be checked
at 850 N·m (630 lb·ft).

Figure 1 – Steering Arm and Tie Rod Arm Capscrew Location

4. Are the capscrews at the correct torque?
a. Yes; proceed to step 5 to check the other capscrews.
b. No; mark which capscrews are at low torque before proceeding to step 5
to check the rest of the capscrews. Any capscrews that are below the
correct torque will need to be repaired following the instructions starting in
step 9.
5. With the parking brake applied and the rear wheels chocked, start the engine
and turn the steering wheel all the way to the right to expose the front tie rod
arm capscrew on the passenger’s side of the vehicle and the steering arm
capscrews on vehicles equipped with dual steering arms. The rear tie rod arm
capscrew on the driver’s side should also be accessible from behind the tire.
6. Turn off the ignition and perform any other applicable safety steps.

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 6

7. Check the torque on the two steering arm capscrews (if vehicle is equipped)
as well as the forward tie rod capscrew on the passenger’s side and the rear
tie rod capscrew on the driver’s side using the same tools and specifications
as in step 3 above.
8. Are the capscrews at the correct torque?
a. Yes; no further work is needed.
b. No; mark which capscrews are at low torque and proceed to the repair
instructions starting in step 9.

Capscrew Repair Procedure
9. Remove the two capscrews from the steering or tie rod arm where the low
torque capscrew(s) was identified, and remove the steering or tie rod arm.
Reference section “Dissasembly of the Steering Knuckle” in the Front Axles
chapter of the Detroit Axles Manual (DDC-SVC-MAN-0141).
10. Inspect the joint surface between the steering or tie rod arm and steering knuckle
for signs of fretting, dents, or other damage from the loose capscrew(s). See
Figure 2 and 3 for examples of damaged parts, and Figure 4 for an example of a
new part.

Figure 2 – Fretting Damage That May Look Like Rust from Water Intrusion at Loose
Joint

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 7

Figure 3 – Dent at the Loose Joint

Figure 4 – New (Undamaged) Joint Surface

11. Are the joint surfaces of either the steering or tie rod arm or steering knuckle
damaged?
a. Yes; proceed to step 12 to replace the knuckle and the arm.
b. No; proceed to step 14 to replace the capscrews only.
12. Remove the steering or tie rod arm and steering knuckle. Reference
section “Dissasembly of the Steering Knuckle” in the Front Axles chapter of
the Detroit Axles Manual (DDC-SVC-MAN-0141).
13. Install a new steering or tie rod arm and new steering knuckle.
Reference section “Assembly of the Steering Knuckle” in the Front Axles
chapter of the Detroit Axles Manual (DDC-SVC-MAN-0141).
14. Install two new steering or tie rod arm capscrews. Reference section
“Assembly of the Steering Knuckle” in the Front Axles chapter of the Detroit
Axles Manual (DDC-SVC-MAN-0141).

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 8

15. Repairs are complete.

Warranty Information
Notice
There are nine different labor codes listed below. Use only one of these codes
when filing the claim, depending on the repair necessary.

Claim administration time, SRT 939-6010A, for 0.3 hours will automatically be
added.
Claim Type:
Modification:
Cause Code:
Primary Failed Part:

CAMPAIGN
D18M7
A1-CAMPAIGN
MBA 308676020022

PROCEDURE A
Use this operation if all capscrews are verified to have proper torque
Labor Code:
996-F025A
Labor:
0.7 Hours

PROCEDURE B
Use one of the following labor operations if any of the capscrews are found to
have low torque and only the capscrews need to be replaced
Labor Code:
996-F025B
(If 1 steering/tie rod arm is found with low torque)
Labor:
2.2 Hours
Labor Code:
996-F025C
(If 2 steering/tie rod arms are found with low torque)
Labor:
3.5 Hours
Labor Code:
996-F025D
(If 3 steering/tie rod arms are found with low torque)
Labor:
4.9 Hours
Labor Code:
996-F025E
(If 4 steering/tie rod arms are found with low torque)
Labor:
6.2 Hours
Parts Return:
NONE

Field Service Campaign Bulletin D18M7
Page 9

PROCEDURE C
Use one of the following labor operations if any of the capscrews are found to
have low torque and there is damage to the steering/tie rod arm and knuckle
mating surfaces; This requires replacement of the entire knuckle on one or both
sides of the vehicle.
Labor Code:
996-F025F
(If only 1 knuckle is found to be damaged and the other
side passes the torque check)
Labor:
3.2 Hours
Labor Code:
996-F025G
(If only 1 knuckle is found to be damaged and 1 arm on the
other side is found with low torque, but is not damaged)
Labor:
4.5 Hours
Labor Code:
996-F025H
(If only 1 knuckle is found to be damaged and both arms
on the other side are found with low torque, but are not
damaged)
Labor:
5.9 Hours
Labor Code:
996-F025J
(If both knuckles are found to be damaged and must be
replaced)
Labor:
5.5 Hours
Parts Return:
REQUIRED
Please contact the Detroit™ Customer Support Center at 855-253-0427 or email
[email protected] if you have any questions.

DETROIT DIESEL
13400 Outer Drive West

Detroit, Michigan 48239-4001
BULLETIN