WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Oct 25, 1999
2,433 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BOAT TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. THESE WHEELS HAVE A CHAMFERED CENTRAL HOLE WHERE THE AXLE SPINDLE PASSES THROUGH. ON SOME, THE CHAMFER IS TOO SHALLOW CAUSING THE WHEEL BEARING DUST CAP TO PROTRUDE BEHIND THE WHEEL. WHEN THIS CAP IS PROTRUDING, WHEEL LUG BOLT TORQUE WILL NOT REMAIN TIGHTENED.
The risk: IF UNDETECTED, WHEEL STUDS CAN BREAK ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: STRATOS HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. THE CORRECTION WAS TO REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
STRATOS BOATSView on NHTSA.gov