NHTSA Campaign 96V124003

SUSPENSION

Issued by WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC. · Reported Aug 1, 1996 · 36 vehicles affected

What's wrong

THE EQUALIZING BEAM SHAFT OF THE TANDEM AXLE SUSPENSION WERE MANUFACTURED FROM AS-ROLLED SAE4140 STEEL RATHER THAN THE SPECIFIED ANNEALED SAE4140. THESE SHAFTS CAN FRACTURE INSIDE THE BEAM AT THE TOE OF THE WELD.

Consequence

VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE TILT AND POSSIBLE ROLLOVER IN THE EVENT THAT BOTH EQUALIZING BEAMS, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, EXPERIENCE A SIMULTANEOUS SHAFT FAILURE. AFFECTED SUSPENSIONS CAN ALSO DROP AND CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE GENERATING SPARKS WHICH COULD IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.

Remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEING CONDUCTED BY NEWAY ANCHORLOK. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL SUSPENSION SUSPENSION BEAMS WITH SUSPENSION BEAMS CONTAINING APPROPRIATE SHAFTS.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
WESTERN STAR CONVENTIONAL 1995 36
WESTERN STAR CONVENTIONAL 1996 36

Source: NHTSA Campaign 96V124003 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.