Loss of Hydraulic Steering Assist – 2018 KME Predator TDA, 2019 Predator SS Aerial & Predator Pumper Fire Trucks

August 6, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V577000

Loss of Hydraulic Steering Assist

A loss of hydraulic steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V577

Manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 3

 

Summary

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2018 Predator TDA, 2019 Predator SS Aerial and Predator Pumper fire trucks. The front shocks may separate from their upper mount on the front suspension. The loose shock may contact and damage the steering gear housing, possibly causing a steering fluid leak and a loss of power steering assist.

 

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and Reyco Granning and KME dealers will work together to install a new shock mount bolt and nut, hardened washer, and shims to keep the shocks secured, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2019. Owners may contact Reyco customer service at 1-765-543-5815 or KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

 

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.

 

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Technical Service Bulletin 19 002
Date: 07/17/2019
REV: OR

 

Subject: Upper Shock Mounting Hardware

Condition: The upper shock mounting hardware may come loose over time due improper joint clamp load.

Applies To:    Fire Truck  IFS 20k and 24k Models

Mfg Date Range:  October 31^st  2014 to July 1^st 2019.

Vocation: Fire Apparatus

Purpose:  To provide instruction for inspection and repair of the effected joint.

 

Please Read the Entire Tech Tip Before Proceeding With Any Work.  Follow industry standards regarding safety equipment and procedures.

 

Inspection and Repair should be conducted immediately.

 

Tools Needed:

1. 5/8” hex (Allen) drive socket. Example Snap-On item # SA20E
2. ½” or ¾” drive torque wrench – 250 ft-lbs capable
3. ½” or ¾” breaker bar
4. ½” drive, 12” long extension
5. 1 1/16” box end wrench or similar torque drive adaptor for a socket.

 

Parts:     Kit #K715183 that includes the following:

(2) 714189-01 – Long Spacers
(2) 714190-01 – Short Spacers
(2) 715176-01 – Socket head bolts
(2) 710356-01 – Ny-lock nuts
(1) D715182 – Installation Instruction

 

Also include in the above kit are shims to address any variations in the width of cradle pocket (reference Step 2 and 5 below).

(2) 714198-01 – 0.020” Shim
(2) 714199-01 – 0.032” Shim
(2) 714200-01 – 0.062” Shim
(3) 714201-01 – 0.125” Shim
(1) 715181-01 – “Go-No Go” Gage for use in Step 2.

 

Replacement: 

1. Remove and discard upper shock absorber eyelet hardware (nut, bolt, and spacers).
2. Use the 715181-01 “Go-No Go” Gage to check the width of the pocket near the bolt holes.
   1. If the gage slips into the pocket, then the pocket is too wide and a shim will be needed to close the gap.
   2. If needed, add shims between one of the spacers and the pocket inside face during reassembly such that the gap between the spacer and the pocket wall is minimized. Use one of the 0.062 shims (#714200-01) if necessary to check that the gap is less than 0.062” (Placing the shims against either the front or rear mount is acceptable).
3. Install new hardware including spacers and shims from kit #K715180 as shown below.
   1. Note: One 714201-01 shims must be installed under the head of each     715176-01 Bolt.
   2. Assembly tip: Insert bolt through the rear tab enough to hang needed shims and short spacer, place shock in position, advance bolt to engage shock, position long spacer, push bolt through front tab, and install nut.

4. Using a socket extension thru the access holes in the cradle, torque the head of the bolt to between 245 and 260 ft-lbs while holding the nut with a wrench.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 on the opposite side.

 

Labor Allowance: 0.7 hr not to exceed $85.00.

Note: To further assist our customers, if three (3) or more trucks are in close proximity, please contact Reyco Granning Warranty at (417) 466-1015 or email [email protected]  to arrange for a Reyco Granning Field Service Representative to conduct the repair.

 

For coverage please supply the following info with warranty claim and submit to chassis manufacturer.

1. Suspension serial number, located on tag at front of suspension
2. In Service Date
3. Inspection/repair date
4. Vehicle mileage

 

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September 3, 2019

 

Name
Address
City, State Zip

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 19V577

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

This notice applies to your vehicle(s):

 

Dear KME Vehicle Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

Why is a recall being conducted? 

KME has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2018-2019 KME vehicles manufactured from June 2018 through December 2018 equipped with Fire Truck Independent Front Suspensions manufactured by Reyco Granning, LLC.

Reyco Granning informed KME that there may be a loose upper shock mount system on Independent Front Suspensions they manufactured.  The front shocks may separate from their upper mount on the front suspension. The loose shock may contact and damage the steering gear housing, possibly causing a steering fluid leak and a loss of power steering assist.

A loss of hydraulic steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.

 

What are we doing about the problem?

Reyco Granning will work with KME and KME Dealers to implement the inspection and repair remedy as outlined in Reyco Granning’s Service Bulletin at no cost to the vehicle owner.  The estimated time to complete the replacement is one hour.

 

What should you do? 

If you receive this notification, please contact your KME Dealer or KME Customer Service at (570) 669-5230 to schedule an appointment to have your vehicle(s) remedied.

INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER IS AN OWNER RESPONSE CARD TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO KME.  Please have your Truck VIN or GSO available.  After the repair has been completed, please fill in the appropriate information on the enclosed Owner Response Postcard, sign it, and return it to:

Mail: KME, One Industrial Complex, Nesquehoning, PA 18240
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (570) 669-5182

 

What if you no longer own this vehicle?

If you are not the current owner of the vehicle, please indicate this on the Owner Response Postcard and return the card to us.

 

Federal law requires any lessor who receives a notification of a safety related defect or noncompliance pertaining to any leased motor vehicle shall send the notice to the lessee within 10 days. If you are no longer the owner of this vehicle, please provide us with any contact information so we may contact the new owner.

 

If you have already paid to have your vehicle repaired for this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the charges you paid for the repair or replacement of components. To learn more about what you need to do to obtain reimbursement, contact our customer service department at (570) 669-5230.

 

If after having attempted to take advantage of this recall you believe you have not been able to have your vehicle remedied without charge and within a reasonable amount of time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C., 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this safety recall may cause, but your safety is our first concern.

 

Sincerely,

KME, Inc.

 

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3 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
KME	PREDATOR PUMPER	2019
KME	PREDATOR SS AERIAL	2019
KME	PREDATOR TDA	2018

 

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8 Associated Documents

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V577-7788.PDF 214.616KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V577-6235.pdf 244.844KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V577-8987.pdf 198.139KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2020-2

RCLQRT-19V577-3119.PDF 211.412KB

 

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Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V577-6980.pdf 133.999KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2020-1

RCLQRT-19V577-1845.PDF 211.308KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-4

RCLQRT-19V577-4342.PDF 211.228KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-3

RCLQRT-19V577-0069.PDF 211.124KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V577&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2026-06-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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