NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN 1979: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 91V060000

Make Model Year
NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN 1979
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1991-12-15 1991-04-12 1991-04-23

Manufacturers Involved: NATIONAL R.V. INC.

Component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 8000

Report Initiator: ODI ODI Report

Summary

REAR AXLE BEARINGS MAY FAIL DUE TO A BENDING MOMENT CREATED BY THE AFTERMARKET DUAL REAR WHEELS FROM A VARIETY OF FACTORS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN OVERLOADED. FAILURE OF THE BEARINGS CREATE STRESSES ON THE REAR AXLE, RESULTING IN THE BREAKAGE OF THE AXLE.

Consequence

A BROKEN AXLE WILL CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE DUAL REARWHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE MOTORHOME, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT INAN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WITH FULL-FLOATING REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES.

Notes

SYSTEM: REAR AXLE; SINGLE AXLE WITH DUAL REAR WHEELS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MICRO-MINI MOTORHOMES BUILT ON TOYOTA CAMPER CAB-CHASSISEQUIPPED WITH AFTERMARKET DUAL REAR WHEELS ON A REAR AXLE DESIGNED FOR SINGLEWHEELS.NOTE: REPAIRS WILL BE DONE AT NO COST TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES WHEN THE FIRSTPURCHASE DATE IS WITHIN EIGHT YEARS OF THE DATE OF NOTIFICATION. VEHICLES FIRSTPURCHASED BEYOND THIS PERIOD WILL BE REPAIRED AT REDUCED PRICE.