SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MERITOR 15X4 BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WERE INSTALLED ON LIFTABLE/STEERABLE TAG/PUSHER AXLES CONTAINED A SIZE 12 BRAKE CHAMBER INSTEAD OF THE SPECIFIED SIZE 16 BRAKE CHAMBER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE CHAMBERS.
7 vehicles affected
WHEELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ALCOA 984650 24.5 X 8.25 WHEELS. THE AFFECTED WHEELS WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED.
Remedy: TIRES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE WHEEL TO IDENTIFY THE HEAT LOT NUMBER AND WHEELS WITH THE AFFECTED LOT NUMBER WILL BE REPLACED.
3,405 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR AIR BRAKE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. SOME OF THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS HAD INSUFFICIENT TORQUE APPLIED TO THE GUIDE PAWL CAP SCREW.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TORQUE ON THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTER GUIDE PAWL. IF THERE IS NO TORQUE, THE BRAKES WILL BE ADJUSTED AND THE GUIDE PAWL WILL BE TIGHTENED TO 15-20 FT. LBS.
493 vehicles affected
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT FRONT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE AND ROLLED ONTO THE INSIDE BEEM, DUE TO POSSIBLE WHEEL LUG NUT FAILURE OR AXLE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT FRONT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE AXLE AND ROLLED ONTO THE INSIDE BEEM, DUE TO POSSIBLE WHEEL LUG NUT FAILURE OR AXLE FAILURE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *MJS
THERE WERE AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT SEMI TRACTORS FROM THIS DEALERSHIP THAT HAD STEER TIRE BLOW OUTS. THIS TIRE WAS SENT TO BRIDGESTONE FOR ANALYSIS ( CORP. OFFICES IN TENN.) . BRIDGESTONES REPLY WAS THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO HAVE DROVE OVER SOMETHING SHARP TO CAUSE THE BLOW OUT. A TIRE DEALER IN SIOUX FALLS,SD. WHO SELLS BRIDGESTONE TRUCK TIRES TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD SEEN A "TIRE SEPERATION" LIKE THIS WHERE THE TREAD PEALED OFF FROM THE CASING. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE IF YOU WOULD LIKE PRINTS PLEASE CALL (605)627-9394 . I BELIEVE THAT BRIDGESTONES MANFACTURING PROBLEMS GO BEYOND THE LITE TRUCK TIRES FROM THE ILLINOIS PLANT . DESCRIPTION: THE TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STEERING AXLE PEALED THE TREAD FACE OFF ( JUST LIKE ALL SCRAP THAT YOU SEE ALONG THE HIGHWAYS WHEN A RECAPED TIRE BLOWS OUT). THE DOT NUMBERS WERE SHREDDED ALONG WITH MOST OF THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: SHREDDED TIRE SIZE: 11R 22.5 )
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING AND SHAKING REAL HARD. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE SAME THING HAPPENS, AND THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER CONSUMER HITS A BUMP CAN HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE. CONSUMER STATES SOME PART'S FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE COMING OFF, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX TIMES FOR REPAIRS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL START VIBRATING AND SHAKING REAL HARD. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE SAME THING HAPPENS, AND THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHENEVER CONSUMER HITS A BUMP CAN HEAR THE KNOCKING NOISE. CONSUMER STATES SOME PART'S FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE COMING OFF, AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX TIMES FOR REPAIRS. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK