June 20, 2024 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 24E051000
Incorrect Heat Treatment Can Cause Tie Rod Failure
The ball stud can separate from the vehicle becoming a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 24E051
Manufacturer Hendrickson
USA. L.L.C.
Components STEERING
Potential Number of Units Affected 461
Summary
Hendrickson
USA. LLC (Hendrickson
) is recalling certain Composolite EXS20 steerable lift axle suspension assemblies. The tie rod assembly ball stud could have been improperly heat treated and can fail.
Remedy
Hendrickson
will work the affected vehicle manufacturers to inspect and replace the tie rod assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Hendrickson
will notify all affected vehicle manufacturers. Owners may contact Hendrickson
customer service at 1-740-929-5600 or 1-800-660-2829. Hendrickson
’s number for this recall is HAUX 2024-01.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Chronology :
05/25/24: Hendrickson
received letter from its supplier, USK Internacional S.A. de C.V. (“USK”), advising it had shipped tie rod assemblies equipped with improperly hardened ball studs, resulting from an experimental heat treatment process. USK identified the applicable manufacturing date codes for the suspect tie rod assemblies.
05/29/24: Hendrickson
completed its initial internal sort and containment of affected USK tie rod assemblies (Part Nos. 015537-2000 and 015537-2100) for use on lift axle suspension assemblies.
05/29/24: Hendrickson
contained all suspect Part No. 015537-2100 tie rod assemblies for use on lift axle suspension assemblies.
06/06/24: Hendrickson
located an additional shipment of suspect Part No. 015537-2100 tie rod assemblies received from USK, and informed USK accordingly.
06/11/24: Hendrickson
began conferring with its applicable vehicle manufacturer and equipment installer customers regarding the subject condition and affected lift axle suspension assemblies.
06/12/24: Hendrickson
began assisting its above-referenced customers with efforts to identify, inspect, and remedy as-needed, affected lift axle suspension assemblies.
Hendrickson
has not received any warranty claims, end user complaints, or field reports of accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
1 Affected Product
Equipment
| BRAND | PART NO. | PRODUCTION DATES |
| HENDRICKSON | COMPOSILITE | |
2 Associated Documents
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-24E051-3997.pdf 698.078KB
Recall 573 Report
RCLRPT-24E051-6147.PDF 217.465KB
- 【Protects Tie Rod Sleeves During Alignment】Designed as a reliable tie rod sleeve adjusting tool for front-end service, this set helps adjust tie rod sleeves without crushing or damaging components. A safer and more precise alternative to pipe wrenches and pliers during alignment work
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Wrangler models - 【5 Popular Sizes for Most Adjustment Jobs】Includes 3/4", 7/8", 1-1/8", 1-7/16", and 1-13/16" sizes to fit a wide range of steering linkage and tie rod sleeve applications commonly found on domestic trucks and off-road vehicles
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- 1 PC Pitman arm tool
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- Weight 2.5 lbs.
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