Item Affected: STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Date Announced: 12/22/1995
Description of Recall: THESE AXLES CONSIST OF A STEEL TUBULAR CENTER SECTION AND FORGED STEEL SPINDLES THAT ARE WELDED TO EACH END OF THE TUBE. EITHER SPINDLE CAN CONTAIN A CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACK THROUGH A PORTION OF ITS CROSS SECTION.
Conequence: THIS CRACK CAN REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE SERVICE LIFE OF THE SPINDLE AND CAUSE THE SPINDLE TO FRACTURE DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Action Need To Fix It: EATON WILL USE PORTABLE ULTRASONIC TESTING EQUIPMENT TO INSPECT EACH SUSPECT TRAILER AXLE. TRAILER AXLES CONTAINING DEFECTIVE SPINDLES WILL BE REPLACED WITH EQUIVALENT AXLES.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; I-BEAM; FRONT SPINDLE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CURTAIN-SIDED FLATBED TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH EATON AXLES, MODELS EST225J, EST230J, AND ESR230J. (SEE EATON CAMPAIGN NO. 95E039). NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT EATON AT 1-616-342-3239. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Item Affected: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
Date Announced: 08/15/2002
Description of Recall: ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLIES, THERE IS A RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF THE VALVE IN WHICH A BRASS GUIDE PIN FITS DOWN INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VALVE AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A STEEL SNAP RING. THE RECESSED AREA ALLOWS ACCUMULATION OF WATER, DIRT, AND/OR CHEMICALS TO BUILD UP BEHIND THE SNAP RING TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NO LONGER CONTAIN THE GUIDE PIN RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR VALVE.
Conequence: FAILURE OF THE VALVE IN AN EMPTY OR LIGHTLY LOADED TRAILER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULT IN A HARD APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES, POSSIBLY LOCKING UP THE TRAILER WHEELS AND RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Action Need To Fix It: SEALCO WILL PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO ITS CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SEALCO AT 602-253-1007 OR UTILITY AT 626-965-1541.
Notes: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).