SUPPORT AS-SIDE 3657016 - Caterpillar

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.
Termination Date
October 31, 1997Problem
Some connecting rod assemblies may have been machined incorrectly. A machining discrepancy in the rod eye bore may not allow the rod eye bushing outside diameter to make complete contact with the rod eye bore. This can reduce the life of the bushing.
Action Required
Inspect all new 1013281 and remanufactured 0R4381 Connecting Rod Assemblies located in Parts Stock for the rod date code on the side of the rod cap.
Remove Rods with date codes of 97D1600 through 97E1000 (April and May of 1997) inclusive from Parts Stock and returned to:
Caterpillar Inc.
Attn: Jack Sanders - PI7388
Building B Claims Room
3701 State Road 26 East
Lafayette, IN 47905
Dealers outside North America should return parts by air freight.
The date code format is YYMXXXX where (YY) is the year, (M) is a letter denoting the month, and (XXXX) is a sequence number.
Open remanufactured 0R4445, 0R4446, 0R4447 and 0R4448 Cylinder Packs with date codes between April 1, 1997 and May 9, 1997 and check the 1013281 Connecting Rod Assemblies date code.
The remanufactured cylinder date code is located below the part name and above the part number on the part number tag (tamper proof label) attached to the box. The date code is formatted as DDMMYYXXX where (DD) is the day, (MM) is the month, (YY) is the year and (XXX) indicates where the part was manufactured.
If the remanufactured cylinder pack includes a 1013281 Connecting Rod Assembly with a date code of 97D1600 through 97E1000 (April and May of 1997), return the remanufactured cylinder pack to:
Caterpillar Inc.
Attn: Prentiss Warranty Coordinator
501 Cardinal Drive
Corinth, MS 38834
Dealers outside North America should return parts by air freight.
Service Claim Allowances
Submit one claim for all Connecting Rod Assemblies and Cylinder Packs removed from Parts Stock.
Dealers outside North America should include the cost to return the parts by air freight.
US and Canadian Dealers Only - When submitting a Parts Stock claim use 99Z00007 in the Product Identification Number Field.
Parts Disposition
All Dealers
Return all Connecting Rod Assemblies that are removed from parts stock and a copy of the claim to:
Caterpillar Inc.
Attn: Jack Sanders - PI7388
Building B Claims Room
3701 State Road 26 East
Lafayette, IN 47905
Return all Cylinder Packs that are removed from parts stock and a copy of the claim to:
Caterpillar Inc.
Attn: Prentiss Warranty Coordinator
501 Cardinal Drive
Corinth, MS 38834
Dealers outside North America should return the parts by air freight.