Suspension
- Component
- Suspension
- Manufacturer
- SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 542
- Reported to NHTSA
- 1999-01-15
- Owners notified
- 1999-06-18
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CARPENTER FRONT ENGINE, SPRING SUSPENSION SCHOOL BUSES. DUE TO FRAME FLEXING, BOTH THE FRONT SPRING HANGER MOUNTING BOLTS AND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BOLTS CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OR TORQUE LOSS OF THESE BOLTS.
Safety risk
THIS WOULD ALLOW THE FRONT AXLE TO MOVE AFFECTING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL ADD THREE STRUCTURAL, WELDED CROSS-MEMBERS TO TIE TOGETHER THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME RAILS, ALL LOCATED FORWARD OF THE FRONT AXLE.