WABASH EQUALIZER BOLT 9999: SUSPENSION

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02E039000

Manufacturers Involved: Wabash National Corporation

Component: SUSPENSION

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 862

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

SEMI-TRAILER SUSPENSION EQUALIZE BOLTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET PARTS BETWEEN AUGUST 28 AND NOVEMBER 9, 2001. THE EQUALIZER BOLT IS A 2" DIAMETER BOLT APPROXIMATELY 11.5" LONG THAT HAS A WELDED ON PLATE AT ONE END AND A 2-3/8" LONG X 1" THREADED SHANK AT THE OPPOSITE END. THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS IN PRODUCTION THAT CONSTITUTE THIS DEFECT. 1" THE END PLATE ON THE BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED TO THE BODY AND MAY DETACH AND 2" THE MATERIAL USED TO PRODUCE THE BOLT WAS NOT CORRECT. THIS WOULD ONLY BE A PROBLEM IF USED AS A PIVOT BOLT FOR A FULL TRAILER.

IF THE END PLATE DETACHES FROM THE BODY, THE BOLT MAY BACK OUT OF THE HOLE ALLOWING THE EQUALIZER TO COLLAPSE IN TO THE CENTER HANGER. THIS WILL RESULT IN THAT SIDE OF THE TRAILER TO DROP DOWN, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE CRASH. IF THE EQUALIZER BOLT WERE TO FAIL WHEN USED AS A DRAWBAR BOLT AND THE FAILED BOLT BACKED OUT, THE TOWED TRAILER COULD FAIL TO TRACK PROPERLY AND COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEAD TRAILER.

WABASH WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE/JULY 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WABASH AT 765-771-5300.

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.