1999 UTILITY Recalls
Item Affected: SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
Date Announced: 05/24/2000
Description of Recall: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VAN-REFRIGERATED/DRY FREIGHT TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH CONMET PREGREASED TRAILER HUBS AND A TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM. THE OUTBOARD BEARING ON THE PREGREASED TRAILER AXLE HUBS USED WITH THE TIRE INFLATION SYSTEMS MAY FAIL DUE TO THE INTRUSION OF CONTAMINANTS THROUGH THE TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM.
Conequence: AN OUTBOARD BEARING FAILURE CAN RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF THE HUB ASSEMBLY FROM THE SPINDLE.
Action Need To Fix It: AUTHORIZED DEALERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO CONVERT GREASED HUBS TO OIL HUBS IF THE TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM IS TO REMAIN ON THE TRAILER. IF THE TIRE INFLATION SYSTEM IS REMOVED, THE HUB MUST BE INSPECTED FOR CONTAMINATION AND CORROSION. THE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED IF THERE IS EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF CORROSION, LUBRICANT AND SEAL MANITENANCE CAN BE PERFORMED AND THE HUB REINSTALLED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2000. 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 UTILITY TRAILER AT 1-626-854-7215 OR CONSOLIDATED METCO AT 1-800-425-4827. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
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).
