NHTSA Campaign Id 03V380000; Date: Oct. 8, 2003
Failure of the tie-rod will allow one of the wheels to swing to the limit of its steering stop, potentially causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
1996 Pierce Custom Chassis; 1997 Pierce Custom Chassis; 1998 Pierce Custom Chassis; 1999 Pierce Custom Chassis; 2000 Pierce Custom Chassis; 2001 Pierce Custom Chassis; 2002 Pierce Custom Chassis; 2003 Pierce Custom Chassis
Component: Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
Manufactured by: Pierce Manufacturing
Affected Units:: 202
On certain fire trucks with tandem steer axles. The trw tie-rod on the rear-most axle of a tandem axle is restrained from rotational movement by a pair of anti-rotation seals located at the ball socket joints. These anti-rotation seals will compress over time. If the anti-rotation seal allows too much motion, the seals can deteriorate, allowing contact between the ball socket and the ball shaft. This metal-to-metal contact will transmit forces into the tie-rod tube, causing fatigue failure initiating at the root of the female treads.
Dealers will replace the tie rod. Notification to owners began November 7, 2003. Owners should contact pierce at 1-888-974-3723.
Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Date Owners notified by Manufacturer: Nov 7, 2003
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