The Lower Articulation Hitch Locking Plate Needs To Be Reworked On Certain 994 Loaders Caterpillar

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.

NOTE: This Program must be administered as soon as possible. When reporting the repair, use "PI3039" as the Part Number, "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 "PI3039" as the Part Number, "7751" as the Group Number, "96" as the Warranty Claim Description Code, and "Z" as the SIMS Description Code.

NOTE: This program replaces the April 18, 1997 Service Letter - PS4013, which is canceled.

Completion Date

Termination Date

Problem

Some lower articulated hitch pins on 994 Loaders may have a ground depression on the bottom of the pin. Current 7I4845 Locking Plate depth measurement access holes are located over this potentially depressed surface. This may yield false pin-to-plate gap measurements, and thus an incorrectly shimmed joint. An incorrectly shimmed joint will be too loose and can result in cracking in the lower hitch area of the front frame. Holes need to be relocated in the plate.

Affected Product
Model & Identification Number

994 (9YF1-182, 9YF184-188, 9YF190-192, 9YF195-197)

Parts Needed

Not Applicable

Action Required

See the attached procedure.

Owner Notification

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

Service Claim Allowances

NOTE: This is a 2-hour job.

NOTE: U.S. and Canadian Dealers Only - Eligible dealers may enter a Type 2 SIMS Report.

Parts Disposition

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

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

Attach.

(1-Owner Notification)

(2-Rework Procedure)

Copy Of Owner Notification For U.S. And Canadian Owners

Rework Procedure

NOTE: Use existing articulated hitch adjustment procedure referenced in Service Magazine Article August 8, 1994. If necessary, allow all hitch components to equalize at ambient temperature prior to shim and torque procedures. Places typical in the 7I4845 Locking Plate. See Illustration 1 for hole locations.

1. Remove the 7I4845 Locking Plate and any 8X0148 Shims from the bottom of the lower 8X0029 Articulated Hitch Assembly.

2. Plug weld both existing 7I4845 Locking Plate depth measurement holes and grind flush. See Illustration 1.

3. Drill through two 6.2mm (0.24") diameter holes 180 degress apart (two places typical) in the 7I4845 Locking Plate. See Illustration 1 for hole locations.

NOTE: Holes are to be relocated outward from the center of the plate from a 25mm arc to lie on a 80mm arc.

4. Tap the two holes drilled in Step 3 with a "-27 NPTF pipe thread. Debur two holes on both sides.

NOTE: Install two 4D0514 Plugs to prevent field debris from entering holes.

5. Install reworked 7I4845 Lock Plate using the procedure in the August 8, 1994 Service Magazine.

NOTE: In Step 7 of the above procedure the dimension should be .25mm (.010").

Illustration 1 - 7I4845 Locking Plate