Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- Component
- Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- Manufacturer
- INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE
- Vehicles affected
- 2,129
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2002-09-25
- Owners notified
- 2002-09-27
Defect description
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE UPPER END OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT MAY HAVE A MISSING OR LOOSE PINCH BOLT. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO OCCUR AT THE LOWER END OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AT THE STEERING GEAR CONNECTION.
Safety risk
IF A PINCH BOLT IS MISSING OR VIBRATES LOOSE, THE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN OR STEERING GEAR, AND /OR ALLOW SLIPPAGE BETWEEN THE JOINED SHAFTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH ENDS OF THE SHAFT TO ENSURE THE PINCH BOLT IS INSTALLED AND/OR PROPERLY TORQUED. IF THE BOLT AND NUT ARE MISSING, A NEW BOLT, NUT, AND WASHER WILL BE INSTALLED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.