Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks. The wrong steering column to steering gear shaft may have been installed in these vehicles. Using the shorter VNM steering shaft could result in steering shaft being operated (steering shaft column extended adjustment) outside the normal operating range of the steering shaft over time this condition could result in accelerated wear in the shaft with the potential for loss of steering as a result.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will install the correct lower steering shaft.
Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks. The lower steering shaft may side-load the steering gear input shaft. This condition could result in non-uniform steering wheel efforts when turning the steering wheel. In addition, once the steering wheel turn is initiated, the vehicle may continue turning without returning to the straight ahead position with driver effort. This condition can result in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain 4x2 pickup truck convertibles equipped with V6 engines (built from November 1988 - June 1990) and 4x2 pickup trucks equipped with the Shelby package (built October 1988 - June 1989). The frame can crack at the steering gear attachment and/or the steering gear mounting bolts can fracture. The steering gear can separate from the vehicle frame resulting in a loss of vehicle control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will add reinforcements to the frame and replace the steering gear mounting bolts. If the frame is already cracked, the steering gear weld nuts will also be replaced.
On certain vehicles, the design of the lower steering column shaft universal joint boot could allow the boot to get entangled in the universal joint. This can cause increased steering effort, creating a potential for steering lock-up.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Owners will be advised to remove the universal joint boot per instructions. If an owner chooses, a Volvo Truck dealer can perform the remedy for them.
Certain trucks may have improperly heat treated drag link assemblies which can lead to premature wear of the ball socket. If this condition occurs, the driver can lose steering control, possibly resulting in a crash.
Certain heavy duty trucks and school bus chassis equipped with tie rod assemblies containing 24-DL model ball sockets and manufactured by TRW. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket. If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links.
Certain passenger vehicles the tie rod end retaining nuts may not have been properly tightened at the factory. The nuts could loosen and fall off resulting in a sudden reduction or loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
All vehicles will be inspected and corrected prior to customer delivery . No owner notification will be required.
On certain vehicles, the lower lateral arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication. There is a potential for moisture to leak past the protective boot which can cause the ball stud to corrode. This corrosion, acting much like contamination, can also lead to premature wear and separation of the ball joint. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a possible crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Lower lateral arm ball joints will be inspected for wear and replaced as necessary with newly designed lower lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent the intrusion of moisture.
On certain vehicles the tie rods of the steering assembly may be inadequately sealed to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
On certain vehicles the tie rods of the steering assembly may be inadequately sealed to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
On certain vehicles, the lower end of the upper steering spindle may not have been inserted completely into the aluminum u-joint assembly (coupling). In such a case, the fastening bolt used to secure the connection may not completely engage the spindle within the coupling. This would make it possible for the spindle to disconnect from the coupling, resulting in loss of steering capability and a possible crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Spindle will be inspected for proper insertion into the coupling. If necessary, the spindle will be fully inserted and the fastening bolt replaced.
On certain vehicles, the tie rod and drag link ball stud ends contain bearing that are below the specified case depth and/or hardness. This can lead to premature wear out and a possible separation of the ball stud from the socket and loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
All affected tie rods and drag links will be replaced.
On certain vehicles, the bulkhead retainer nut within the steering gear may not be properly torqued and the staking operation omitted. If the bulkhead retainer nut is not properly torqued and staked it may loosen during normal steering gear operation. Loosening of the nut will initially cause excessive lash in the steering system and may progress to a seized steering gear and the inability to steer the vehicle.
On certain vehicles, improperly cast right front bearing housings could cause grease leakage, front wheel bearing failure due to loss of grease, or the possibility of steering loss due to tie rod separation. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Affected right front bearing housings will be replaced.
On certain vehicles, the tie rod ends and/or drag link assembly ends may have insufficient hardness in the ball stud. this could result in premature wear and, potentially, separation of the ball stud from its socket. If this occurs, there could be a reduction in or loss of steering control which in turn could result in a vehicle crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the affected tie rod ends and/or drag link assemblies.
On certain vehicles, the left and right high-mounted handlebars are positioned on top of the upper fork clamp and are clamped to the top of each upper fork tube. Unfavorable tolerances may exist between a positioning tab on the handlebar mounting bracket and the gap in the upper fork clamp into which the tab fits. As a result, the specified torque value of the upper fork clamp screw and, therefore, maximum clamping force on the upper fork tube may not have been achieved. This could cause the handlebars to rotate forward under certain driving conditions, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Clamping connection parts will be degreased, positioning tab will be reworked if necessary to fit properly in the gap in the upper fork clamp and the clamping connection torque will be reset.
On certain vehicles, the steer axle tie rod ball-socket assembly ball stud may separate from the socket due to premature wear. if this event occurs. there will be no steering control to the right steer axle with the potential for a vehicle crash.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Suspect tie rod ball-socket assemblies will be inspected and replaced as required.
On certain vehicles, the steering assist cylinder ball-socket assembly ball stud may separate from the socket due to premature wear. If this event occurs, increased steering effort will result, creating the potential for a vehicle crash.
On certain vehicles, the two pins that connect the key cylinder cap to the key cylinder were incorrectly inserted during assembly. Over time, vibration may cause the connecting pins to loosen and/or fall out. This condition could cause the cylinder cap to disengage from the key cylinder, allowing the wheel lock rod to move which could lock the steering wheel.
Safety Risk
No risk description available.
Remedy
Ignition lock assemblies will be inspected and those with loose or missing end cap connector pins will be replaced. A ring clip will be installed on all others to prevent loosening of the pins.
