Power train: axle assembly
- Component
- Power train: axle assembly
- Manufacturer
- BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
- Vehicles affected
- 58
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2007-12-20
- Owners notified
- 2008-03-14
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MY 2005-2007 WANDERLODGE 450 LXI MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH ARVIN MERITOR AND TRW TIE ROD ENDS, THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE PRODUCED WITH STEEL TUBING THAT DID NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS WHICH COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY WHEN COACH MILEAGE APPROACHES OR EXCEEDS 100,000 MILES. ALSO THE FRONT AXLE CURB WEIGHT MAY EXCEED THE SPECIFIED 16,000 POUNDS WEIGHT RATING.
Safety risk
THE EXISTING TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED AND MAY DEFORM OR FRACTURE WHICH MAY REDUCE STEERING CONTROL AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. IN ADDITION, INSUFFICIENT FRONT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE REDUCES THE WEIGHT RATING OF THE FRONT TIRES; AND IMPROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CAN CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND SUBSEQUENT DEGRADATION OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF ONE OR BOTH OF THE FRONT TIRES.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT HAND FRONT TIE ROD ENDS ALONG WITH A CERTIFICATION LABEL STATING THE CORRECT WEIGHT LIMITS. APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT TIRES WILL BE PROVIDED AND THE FRONT STEERING ALIGNMENT WILL BE CHECKED AND CORRECTED, IF NECESSARY. NEW TIRE DATA DECALS WILL ALSO BE SUPPLIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 478-825-2021.