SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Aug 7, 2000
100 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT ENGINE CARPENTER SCHOOL BUSES WITH FRONT AIR SUSPENSIONS. DUE TO FRAME FLEXING, BOTH THE TRACK BAR MOUNT, MOUNTING BOLTS, AND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LOOSEN WHICH COULD ALLOW SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OR TORQUE LOSS OF THESE BOLTS. THE SPRING BEAM COULD ALSO FRACTURE.
The risk: THIS COULD AFFECT THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THREE STRUCTURAL, WELDED CROSS-MEMBERS TO TIE TOGETHER THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME RAILS, ALL LOCATED FORWARD OF THE FRONT AXLE. STIFFENING GUSSETS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO EXISTING FRAME CROSS-MEMBERS AND THE TO STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BRACKET.