AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT TOW BAR 9999: UNKNOWN OR OTHER

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 92E022000

Make Model Year
AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT TOW BAR NO YEAR
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1992-10-15 1992-09-14 1992-09-25

Production Dates: 1990-02-01 - 1992-09-01

Manufacturers Involved: AUTOMATIC EQUIP. MFG. CO.

Component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 2312

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Summary

TOW BAR CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE CENTER PLATE MOUNTING WHERE THE TWO LEGS ARE ATTACHED. THE CRACKING IS CAUSED BY METAL FATIGUE IN A POTENTIALLY WEAK PART OF THE TOW BAR.

Consequence

IF A CRACK OCCURS AND CONTINUES TO DEVELOP, THE PLATEWILL BREAK INTO TWO PIECES. THE TOW BAR WILL STILL BE ATTACHED AT THIS TIME. BUTIT COULD FOLD IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED BY THE TOWING VEHICLE. CONTINUED USECOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED.

Remedy

A NEW REDESIGNED WELDMENT WHICH INCLUDES THE CENTER PLATE AND TWO LEGS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER.

Notes

SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT: TOW BAR.EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: TOW BARS WITH MODEL NAMES RANGEFINDER 4222SL ANDRANGEFINDER BX42222.