Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system
- Component
- Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system
- Manufacturer
- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 262
- Reported to NHTSA
- 1997-08-18
- Owners notified
- 1997-09-01
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPSION, WHICH UTILIZES A NORGREN VALVE AND NEWAY PILOT AIR CONTROL VALVES. THE PURPOSE OF THE NORGREN VALVE IS TO EXHAUST THE AIR SUSPENSION WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE VEHICLE JACKS USED TO LEVEL THE VEHICLE FOR OVERNIGHT PARKING. THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE IS USED TO SPEED UP THE TIMING OF THE AIR EXHAUST. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN A DYNAMIC CONDITION, THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE CAN SEND SPIKES OF UP TO 230 PSI. THIS EXCEEDS THE PRESSURE RATING OF THE NEWAY PILOT VALVE CAUSING THE VALVE TO FAIL AND ALLOW THE AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE TO EXHAUST UNCONTROLLABILITY.
Safety risk
IF THERE IS AN AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE, IT COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS AND A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE AIR PLUMBING TO REMOVE THE THREE (3) NEWAY PILOT VALVES (TWO FRONT SUSPENSION/ONE REAR SUSPENSION) FROM THE AIR SYSTEM. THE NORGREN VALVE WILL BE FULLY UTILIZED TO REPLACE THE VALVES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND A MIDLAND VALVE WILL BE USED IN THE REAR SUSPENSION.