Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- Component
- Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- Manufacturer
- TRIPLE E RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
- Vehicles affected
- 141
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2008-01-10
Defect description
CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS, THESE GEARS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE INCORRECT RECIRCULATING BALL SPACER. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE RECIRCULATING BALLS TO ESCAPE FROM THE RECIRCULATING BALL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING.
Safety risk
THE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE HIGHER REQUIRED STEERING WHEEL INPUTS, OR THE NEED FOR MORE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN COMBINATION WITH METALLIC CRACKING NOISES PRIOR TO A LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
TRIPLE E IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER AND ZF TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V343 AND 07E049). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TRIPLE E AT 1-204-325-4361.