FL937 – Improperly Installed Steering Shaft Bolt – 2023 Freightliner M2

June 3, 2022 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 22V394000

Improperly Installed Steering Shaft Bolt

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V394000

Manufacturer Daimler TruckseBay logo North America, LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 3,578

 

Summary

Daimler TruckseBay logo North America, LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2023 FreightlinereBay logo M2 vehicles. The u-joint pinch bolt on the steering shaft may become detached, which can cause a loss of steering control.

 

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and repair the joint, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed august 1, 2022. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL-937.

 

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.nhtsa.gov.

 

Check for Daimler Trucks North America Recalls

 


August 2022
FL937A
NHTSA #22V-394
Transport Canada #2022-288

Subject: Freightliner Steering Assembly U-Joint Pinch Bolts

Models Affected: Specific model year 2023 FreightlinereBay logo 108SD, 114SD, and Business Class M2 vehicles manufactured February 1, 2022, through May 13, 2022.

 

General Information

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), on behalf of its FreightlinereBay logo Trucks Division, has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists on the vehicles mentioned above.

On certain vehicles, the U-joint pinch bolts on the steering assembly may have been installed incorrectly. This could lead the steering wheel to detach from the front axle wheels, resulting in a possible loss of vehicle control and increased risk of a crash.

An authorized DTNA dealer will inspect the steering assembly installation and make any needed repairs.

NOTE: DTNA strongly advises drivers to inspect the steering assembly prior to the next trip to ensure proper installation. A customer inspection is included in the Notice to Owners to help determine if the vehicle is safe to drive to the dealership or if it needs to be towed. Tow charges for vehicles that DO NOT pass the customer inspection can be included in the recall claim for reimbursement.

There are approximately 4,041 vehicles involved in this campaign.

Additional Repairs

Dealers must complete all outstanding Recall and Field Service campaigns prior to the sale or delivery of a vehicle. A Dealer will be liable for any progressive damage that results from its failure to complete campaigns before sale or delivery of a vehicle.

Owners may be liable for any progressive damage that results from failure to complete campaigns within a reasonable time after receiving notification.

 

Work Instructions

Please refer to the attached work instructions. Prior to performing the campaign, check the vehicle for a completion sticker (Form WAR260).

 


Copy of Notice to Owners
Customer Inspection Instructions
FreightlinereBay logo Steering Assembly U-Joint Pinch Bolts

Follow the steps below to check the steering assembly U-joint pinch bolt installations. If any are not installed
correctly, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest DTNA dealership.

If the vehicle passes the customer inspection, the vehicle may be driven to the nearest DTNA dealer for the formal inspection and to complete the recall.

1. Steering Column U-Joint Pinch Bolt Inspection

WARNING

Do not drive the vehicle if there are no bolt threads exposed beyond the nut, or there are no splines exposed on both sides of the bolted connection. Driving the vehicle without a fully secured steering assembly could result in disengagement of the steering column and a loss of steering control, which could result in personal injury and property damage.

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the rear tires.

2. Locate the steering shaft inside the cab, as shown in Fig. 1.

3. Check the connections between the steering column and steering shaft, and the nut to pinch bolt connection, as shown in Fig. 1. Remove the steering column cover to see the bolt.

4. Inspect the nut to pinch bolt connection. There must be bolt threads exposed beyond the nut as shown in Fig. 1.

Are the bolt threads visible?

YES → Go to the next step.

NO → DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest DTNA dealership for repair.

 

5. Inspect the exposed splines of the steering shaft connection as shown in Fig. 2. It may be necessary to turn the steering wheel to gain adequate visibility of the splines.

If the steering shaft splines are not visible on both sides of the bolted connection, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest FreightlinereBay logo dealership for repair.

If the steering shaft splines are exposed on both sides of the bolted connection, go to the next inspection.

 

2. Steering Shaft U-Joint Pinch Bolt Inspection (Front of Firewall)

1. Open the hood.

2. Locate the universal joint of the steering shaft at the front of the firewall. See Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

3. Check the connections between the steering column and the steering shaft at the front of the firewall, and the nut to pinch bolt connection. See Fig. 4.

4. Inspect the nut to pinch bolt connection. There must be bolt threads exposed beyond the nut as shown in
Fig. 1.

Are the bolt threads visible?

YES → Go to the next step.

NO → DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest DTNA dealership for repair.

5. Inspect the exposed splines of the steering shaft connection as shown in Fig. 2. It may be necessary to turn the steering wheel to gain adequate visibility of the splines.

If the steering shaft splines are not visible on both sides of the bolted connection, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest DTNA dealership for repair.

If the steering shaft splines are exposed on both sides of the bolted connection, go to the next inspection.

 

3. Steering Gear U-Joint Pinch Bolt Inspection

1. Locate the universal joint at the steering gear. See Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.

2. Check the connections between the steering shaft and the steering gear, and the nut to pinch bolt connection. See Fig. 5.

3. Inspect the nut to pinch bolt connection. There must be bolt threads exposed beyond the nut as shown in Fig. 1.

Are the bolt threads visible?

YES → Go to the next step.

NO → DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest DTNA dealership for repair.

4. Inspect the exposed splines of the steering shaft connection as shown in Fig. 2. It may be necessary to turn the steering wheel to gain adequate visibility of the splines.

If the steering shaft splines are not visible on both sides of the bolted connection, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Have it immediately towed to the nearest DTNA dealership for repair.

If the steering shaft splines are exposed on both sides of the bolted connection, the vehicle may be driven to the nearest DTNA dealer for the formal inspection and to complete the recall.

 

Steering Column U-Joint Pinch Bolt Inspection and Repair

1. Check the base label (Form WAR259) for a completion sticker for FL937 (Form WAR260) indicating this work has been done. The base label is usually located on the passenger door about 12 inches (30 cm) below the door latch. If a sticker is present, no work is needed. If there is no sticker, proceed with the next step.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the tires.

3. Locate the steering shaft inside the cab.

4. Remove the steering column cover.

5. Inspect the splines on the bolted steering shaft connection shown in Fig. 6.

Are the splines exposed on both sides?

YES → Go to step 7.

NO → Go to the next step.

6. Position the steering shaft to align the hole with the groove in the shaft, and install a new fastener.

7. Using a torque wrench, tighten the fastener 33 lbf·ft (45 N·m).

8. Apply torque seal on the fastener.

9. Proceed to the next inspection below.

 

Steering Shaft U-Joint Pinch Bolt Inspection and Repair (Front of Firewall )

1. Open the hood.

2. Locate the universal joint of the steering shaft at the front of the firewall. See Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

3. Inspect the splines on the bolted steering shaft connection shown in Fig. 6 on page 12.

Are the splines exposed on both sides?

YES → Go to step 5.

NO → Go to the next step.

4. Position the steering shaft to align the hole with the groove in the shaft, and install a new fastener.

5. Using a torque wrench, tighten the fastener 33 lbf·ft (45 N·m).

6. Apply torque seal on the fastener.

7. Proceed to the next inspection.

 

Steering Gear U-Joint Pinch Bolt Inspection and Repair

1. Locate the universal joint at the steering gear. See Fig. 7 and Fig. 9.

2. Inspect the splines on the bolted steering shaft connection shown in Fig. 6

Are the splines exposed on both sides?

YES → Go to step 4.

NO → Go to the next step.

3. Position the steering shaft to align the hole with the groove in the shaft, and install a new fastener.

4. Using a torque wrench, tighten the fastener 33 lbf·ft (45 N·m).

5. Apply torque seal on the fastener.

6. Clean a spot on the base label (Form WAR259). Write the campaign number, FL937, on a blank red completion sticker (Form WAR260) to indicate the work has been completed, and attach it to the base label.

 


Chronology :

On or around April 15, 2022 DTNA received a report of a missing pinch bolt in the steering system. On or around April 22, 2022 another report of a mislocated pinch bolt in the same location in the steering system was received. Both trucks were manufactured at the same plant. Out of concern that the two events were related to a larger issue, on or around April 26, DTNA began an investigation. There were no other warranty claims or reports found related to the defect. Within the investigation, it was determined that the issue arose from the manufacturing at one particular plant. That manufacturing plant completed containment activities on in May 2022. Also in May 2022, DTNA decided to conduct a safety recall on the above referenced vehicles. . In August, 2022 it was determined that 5 trucks originally identified to be within the recall population, were still within DTNA’s possession. Those trucks were remedied on site and removed from the recall population.

 


1 Affected Product

Vehicle

MAKEMODELYEAR
FREIGHTLINEReBay logoBUSINESS CLASS M22023

 


15 Associated Documents

Defect Information Report

RMISC-22V394-8153.pdf 784.15KB

 


Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-22V394-5846.PDF 213.702KB

 


Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-22V394-8139.pdf 783.615KB

 


Amended Defect Information Report

RMISC-22V394-6932.pdf 785.216KB

 


Recall 573 Report – July 18, 2022

RCLRPT-22V394-9817.PDF 213.701KB

 


Recall 573 Report – July 26, 2022

RCLRPT-22V394-7333.PDF 214.383KB

 


ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-22V394-9962.pdf 664.872KB

 


Amended Defect Information Report

RMISC-22V394-5967.pdf 786.26KB

 


Recall 573 Report – July 26, 2022

RCLRPT-22V394-5327.PDF 214.383KB

 


Recall 573 Report – August 9, 2022

RCLRPT-22V394-5217.PDF 214.487KB

 


Amended Defect Information Report

RMISC-22V394-5604.pdf 786.618KB

 


Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-22V394-5035.pdf 1194.911KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2022-3

RCLQRT-22V394-3592.PDF 211.144KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2022-4

RCLQRT-22V394-3119.PDF 211.252KB

 


Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2023-1

RCLQRT-22V394-1664.PDF 211.336KB

 


Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=22V394&docType=RCL

 


 

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