NHTSA Investigation EA85036

FAILURE OF SPRING HANGERS

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:FREIGHTLINER BELIEVES THATLOOSENING OF THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRING HANGER BRACKET MOUNTING BOLTS DOESNOT POSE A HAZARD TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.THEY STATE THAT THE LOOSENINGOF SUCH FASTENERS DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.THEY CLAIM THAT SEPARATION OF THESE BOLTS WOULD OCCUR ONLY IF THE OPERATORWERE NEGLIGENT BY REPEATEDLY FAILING TO DO THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE.ANALYSIS:LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON ATTACHING HARDWARE APPEARS TO BE THEPRIMARY CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED PROBLEM.FREIGHTLINER RECTIFIED THE PROBLEMBY SWITCHING TO A LARGER FASTENER IN 1983.STATUS:AT FREIGHTLINER'S REQUEST, A MEETING WAS HELD ON MARCH 2, 1987 INRESPONSE TO OUR RECALL REQUEST LETTER OF FEBRUARY 3RD.DURING THE MEETINGFREIGHTLINER WAS GRANTED AN EXTENSION (UNTIL MARCH 23, 1987) TO REPLY TOTHE RECALL REQUEST. REPLY RECEIVED ON 3/20/87.FREIGHTLINER DECLINED TORECALL.THIS EA WAS CLOSED ON 5/22/87.===

An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.