Loss of Power Steering Assist – 2019 Maintainer Custom Bodies Heavy Rescue Emergency Response Vehicle

December 16, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V894000

Loss of Power Steering Assist

A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V894

Manufacturer Maintainer Corporation of Iowa, Inc.

Components STEERING, SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 1

 

Summary

Maintainer Corporation of Iowa, Inc. (Maintainer) is recalling one 2019 Custom Bodies Heavy Rescue emergency response vehicle. 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

Maintainer has notified the owner, and a Spartan dealer will install new shock bolts, and shims if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Maintainer customer service at 1-800-831-8588 or Spartan customer service at 1-800-543-5008.

 

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 Spartan Motors

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: October31 51 2014toJuly 151 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” or¾” drive torque wrench – 250 ft-lbs capable
3. ½”or¾” breaker bar
4. ½” drive, 12″ long extension
5. 1 1/16″ box end wrench or similar torque drive adaptor for a

 

Parts:      Kit #K715180 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

 

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 , 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
   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
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 on the opposite

 

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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December 20, 2019

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL: 19V-894

This notice applies to your vehicle identification number below.

REF:  MCB Unit Number:  M350

Spartan VIN Number:

Spartan Recall Number: 19V-523

 

 

Dear Valued Customer,

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

Maintainer has decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2014-2020 Gladiator and MetroStar model emergency vehicles equipped with an Independent Front Suspension (IFS) and Koni shocks supplied by Reyco Granning. One of these chassis was included in the 2019 MCB (Maintainer Custom Bodies) Heavy Rescue vehicle that you purchased from us. Details of their recall are shown in their owner notification letter that is included in this mailing.  Please read the information carefully and follow the directions as outlined.

 

Noncompliance:

Upper shock bolts may break allowing the shock to possibly sheer the poppet on the steering gear causing a loss of power steering fluid. This could result in a loss of power steering assist increasing the risk of a crash.

While a broken shock bolt may be detected by a rattling noise or rough ride, the shock bolt may break without warning.

 

Corrective Action:

We have included the Spartan Motors USA recall notice in this mailing. Spartan dealers will install new shock bolts and shims at no charge to you.   Removal and reinstallation of the shock bolts and shims may take up to 1 hour. Please read the information carefully and follow the directions as outlined. You will work directly with Spartan Motors USA related to this matter. However, Maintainer Custom Bodies will need to be notified when this issue has been resolved (1-800-843-4288).

If you have any specific questions, please contact Spartan Motors USA at 1-800-867-6478.

If the authorized service center has failed or is unable to remedy the defect without charge and within a reasonable time, contact Spartan at 1-800-867-6478. You may also submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20590 or call the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov if you feel the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect without charge.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this situation may cause you.

 

Kind regards,
Rick Wolthuizen

 

Quality Manager
Maintainer Corporation of Iowa, Inc.

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1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
MAINTAINER	CUSTOM BODY	2019

 

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5 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-4

RCLQRT-19V894-3871.PDF 211.142KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-19V894-6074.pdf 91.58KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-19V894-1170.pdf 300.05KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-19V894-8361.PDF 212.798KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-19V894-6735.pdf 244.701KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=19V894&docType=RCL

 

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