VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE INSTALLATION OF THE ALUMINUM STEERING DRIVELINE EXCEEDS

Nov 01, 1999 — Recall Campaign #99V303000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE INSTALLATION OF THE ALUMINUM STEERING DRIVELINE EXCEEDS THE U-JOINT ANGLES SPECIFIED BY DANA, THE DRIVELINE MANUFACTURER. BY EXCEEDING THIS SPECIFICATION, THE U-JOINT COULD CONTACT AND CAUSE A STRESS RISER IN THE ALUMINUM DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE IN A NOTCH IN THE ALUMINUM DRIVEMENT, RESULTING IN A STRESS RISER IN THE SHAFT.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 2,607 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

99V303000

Manufacturer:	PACCAR Incorporated
Recall date:	November 01, 1999
NHTSA Campaign #:	99V303000
Units affected:	2,607

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE INSTALLATION OF THE ALUMINUM STEERING DRIVELINE EXCEEDS THE U-JOINT ANGLES SPECIFIED BY DANA, THE DRIVELINE MANUFACTURER. BY EXCEEDING THIS SPECIFICATION, THE U-JOINT COULD CONTACT AND CAUSE A STRESS RISER IN THE ALUMINUM DRIVE SHAFT. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE IN A NOTCH IN THE ALUMINUM DRIVEMENT, RESULTING IN A STRESS RISER IN THE SHAFT.
Consequeces:: THIS NOTCH COULD CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE STEERING DRIVELINE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALUMINUM DRIVELINE WITH A STEEL VERSION.
Notes:: KENWORTH RECALL NO. 99KW03.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 19, 1999.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 KENWORTH AT 1-206-828-5418. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

1999 KENWORTH T600 Complaints
DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, THERE IS A NOISE BEING EMITTED FROM REAR DUE TO GEARS IN REAR HAVE BECOME STRIPPED. MANUFACTURER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS DEFECT WAS DUE TO "SHOCK LOAD" (DRIVER ABUSE). *AK *SLC;
1999 KENWORTH T800 Complaints
RECENTLY ONE OF MY TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITH A CATEPILLAR ENGINE HAD A MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP ALONG A FREEWAY IN COLORADO. I WAS INFORMED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. BY MISTAKE A NOTICE SENT BY CATERPILLAR NAMED "CONFIDENTIAL" WAS LEFT ON A COUNTER WHICH I HAPPENED TO PICK UP AND READ. IT STATED TRUCKS WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE STARTING WITH A CERTAIN SERIAL NO. AND ENDING WITH ANOTHER SERIAL NO. HAD THIS TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE, BROKEN CRANKSHAFT, WOULD BE HANDLED ACCORDING TO THE MILEAGE ON THAT TRUCK. IT ALSO STATED NO REPAIR WAS TO BE ADMINISTERED UNTIL THE CRANKSHAFT FAILED. THE NUMBER OF ENGINES INVOLVED ACCORDING TO THE SERIAL NO. WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. AFTER READING THEIR BULLETIN IT WAS APPARENT TO ME CATERPILLAR KNEW THEY HAD A FLAW IN THESE CRANK SHAFTS AND INSTEAD OF RECALLING AND REPLACING THESE CRANKSHAFTS THEY WOULD PREFER TO TAKE A CHANCE AND REPLACE, ACCORDING TO THE MILEAGE AT FAILURE, THE FAILED COMPONET. AT ISSUE HERE IS THE TIME AND PLACE THIS ENGINE FAILURE TAKES PLACE. IN OUR SITUATION IT WAS ON A MAJOR FREEWAY WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS FAILURE OCCURED ON A MAJOR INCLINE OR DOWNHILL GRADE ON A TWO LANE ROAD. THE RESULT MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. HOW MANY OTHER OF THESE ENGINES HAVE FAILED AND WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES ? WHERE DID IT HAPPEN AND WAS THERE AN ISSUE WITH TRAFFIC SAFETY, I PERSONNALLY DON'T KNOW. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A CAR BREAKNG DOWN HERE BUT AN 80,000 POUND SEMI. IF A MANUFACTURER KNOWS A MAJOR COMPONET OF AN ENGINE USED IN SUCH A SAFETY SENSITIVE REGIMENT, TRANSPORTATION ON OUR HIGHWAYS, WITH TRAFFIC BEING HEAVIER THAN IT'S EVER BEEN, IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SHOULDN'T THEY TAKE ACTION TO REMEDY THAT PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS OR IS IT WORTH THE GAMBLE ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. L.J. LARKIN PRES. TRANSTECH N.W. INC.*AK;