NHTSA safety recall

Recall 96V081000

Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection — Spartan · reported 17 May 1996 · 604 vehicles potentially affected

What's wrong

THE DRAGLINKS HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-TILT SEAL ON THE PITMAN END THAT CAN AFFECT THE TAPER FIT OF THE BALL STUD TAPER INTO THE PITMAN ARM. THE RECOMMENDED TORQUE ON THE STUD NUT DOES NOT OVERCOME THE COMPRESSION OF THE ANTI-TILT SEAL.

The risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOOSENING OF THE JOINT AND ULTIMATE SEPARATION RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING.

The fix

DEALERS WILL REPLACE WASHERS WITH 90 DEGREE FLANGES WITH WASHERS HAVING A 45 DEGREE FLANGE AND SANDWICH THE RUBBER BUSHING IN THE ANTI-TILT SEAL. THE FLANGES ALLOW THE BUSHING TO PROPERLY EXPAND. IF A BODY HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON THE CHASSIS, THE PITMAN ARM WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

SYSTEM: STEERING; LINKAGES; LINK; DRAG. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TYPE A MOTORHOMES WITH GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GVWR) FROM 19,000 TO 36,000 LBS. AND TRANSIT BUS CHASSIS OR SPECIALITY TRUCKS WITH GVWR FROM 18,000 TO 36,000 LBS. EQUIPPED WITH TRW DRAGLINK ASSEMBLY. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 10, 1996. NOTE: 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 SPARTAN AT 1-800-722-3025. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

NHTSA campaign
96V081000
Filed by
Spartan Motors, Inc.
Report received
17 May 1996
Owners notified
6 May 1996
Potentially affected
604

Vehicles covered by this recall

Whether a particular car is affected and still unrepaired depends on its VIN — a model year being listed does not mean every car of that year is included. Check any VIN free on CarLogs, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1996 Spartan Alpine 1996 Spartan Bus 1996 Spartan Highlander 1996 Spartan Mountain Master

Is this car's recall fixed?

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, for the life of the vehicle. A CarLogs report shows the recall status for a specific VIN as reported by the manufacturer — whether it's open or repaired, and whether the fix is available yet.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database. Look up another campaign →