VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL TRUCKS AND TRUCK/TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH A FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE FOR THE STEERING SHAFT BOOT. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE STEERING SHAFT AND THE TOP OF THE OPENING IN THE ADAPTER PLATE CAN CAUSE THE STEERING SHAFT TO CONTACT THE TOP OF THE FIREWALL ADAPTER OPENING WEARING A GROOVE IN THE STEERING SHAFT. IF THE GROOVE IS ALLOWED TO WEAR DEEP ENOUGH, THE SHAFT CAN FAIL.
Safety risk
IF THE STEERING SHAFT FAILS, STEERING CONTROL WILL BE LOST INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FIREWALL ADAPTER PLATE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum
Manufacturer
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
88
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-01
Owners notified
1996-08-16
Defect description
THE BRAKE RETURN SPRING CAN CONTACT THE HUB. FURTHER WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINING MATERIAL WILL LEAD TO WEAR OF THE RETURN SPRING AND THE SPRING CAN FAIL PREMATURELY.
Safety risk
PIECES OF THE FAILED SPRING COULD THEN LODGE IN THE BRAKE CAM CAUSING EITHER THE AFFECTED BRAKE TO STAY APPLIED WHEN THE OTHER BRAKES HAVE BEEN RELEASED, OR STOPPING THE AFFECTED BRAKE FROM APPLYING WHEN THE OTHER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN BE PULLED IN A LATERAL DIRECTION OFF THE ROAD OR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE FRONT BRAKES ON THESE TRUCKS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
No complaints recorded for this model year.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.