CERTAIN 2005 MY INTERNATIONAL RE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND JUNE 16

Oct 26, 2004 — Recall Campaign #04V507000

CERTAIN 2005 MY INTERNATIONAL RE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND JUNE 16, 2004 WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS. TWO CHECK VALVES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AIR TANKS TO ISOLATE THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR CIRCUITS. A LEAK OR FAILURE OF EITHER CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE THE SPRING BRAKES TO AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATE WITHOUT WARNING.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 76 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

04V507000

Manufacturer:	International Motors, LLC
Recall date:	October 26, 2004
NHTSA Campaign #:	04V507000
Units affected:	76

Description:: CERTAIN 2005 MY INTERNATIONAL RE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND JUNE 16, 2004 WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS. TWO CHECK VALVES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AIR TANKS TO ISOLATE THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR CIRCUITS. A LEAK OR FAILURE OF EITHER CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE THE SPRING BRAKES TO AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATE WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequeces:: THIS MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action:: INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL TWO CHECK VALVES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.
Notes:: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2005 INTERNATIONAL RE

2005 INTERNATIONAL RE Complaints
MY COMPANY PURCHASED 3 2005 SIDE-DUMP TRAILERS, MANUFACTURED BY SIDUMP'R TRAILER CO., HWY 13 AND 20, PLAINVIEW, NE, 68769. THESE TRAILERS CAME EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS AND AIR CHAMBERS MANUFACTURED BY CREWSON INDUSTRIES, 1800 BROADWAY, BLDG 3, BUFFALO, NY 14212. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN SHOE TO DRUM CLEARANCE AT A FIXED AMOUNT, OVERTIGHTEN THE BRAKES ON TWO WHEEL POSITIONS ON EACH OF THE THREE TRAILERS. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE CHAMBERS, ALSO SUPPLIED BY CREWSON, DISINTEGRATE AROUND THE ATTACHING BOLTS AND FALL OFF THE TRAILER. THE END RESULT, IF UNDETECTED, IS, IN THE CASE OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER, WHEEL LOCKUP OR BRAKE SHOE FIRE. IN THE CASE OF THE BRAKE CHAMBER, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. UPON INQUIRING AS TO THE FREQUENCY OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD AMONG OTHER PURCHASERS OF THESE TRAILERS. I HAVE CONTACTED CREWSON INDUSTRIES AND THEY HAVE SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO INSPECT MY TRAILERS. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO SEND ME REPLACEMENT PARTS, HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE NO BETTER THAN THE ONES INSTALLED ON MY TRAILERS NOW. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO AN ENGINEER AT CREWSONS, IDENTIFIED AS TONY V, AND HE STATED THE BRAKE CHAMBERS WERE NOT INTENDED TO BE USED ON AXLES INSTALLED ON SIDE DUMP TRAILERS AS THEY FELT THE TWISTING OF THE AXLES WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DISINTEGRATION. AT THIS POINT, HE HAS ALSO STATED, THAT CREWSON WILL NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS WITHOUT FIRST INSPECTING THEM. SECONDLY, HE HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MY PARTS AS THEY CANNOT SUPPLY ME WITH PARTS THAT ARE BETTER THAN WHAT I HAVE. AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THESE SLACK ADJUSTERS AND BRAKE CHAMBERS THAT COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME AND CREWSON INDUSTRIES IS SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE GUISE OF THEIR WARRANTY PROCEDURES, LEAVING DANGEROUSLY DEFECTIVE BRAKE EQUIPMENT IN USE ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.*JB;