WABASH ROADRAILER 1998: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V295000

Manufacturers Involved: Wabash National Corporation

Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 6233

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEMI-TRAILERS. THESE SEMI-TRAILERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH SUSPENSION BOGIES THAT CAN SLIDE FORWARD AND AFT TO CHANGE THE AXLE POSITIONS. THE BOGIES SLIDE ALONG A PAIR OF BODY RAILS THAT ARE WELDED DIRECTLY TO THE BOTTOM FLANGE OF THE I-BEAM CROSSMEMBERS THAT MAKE UP THE FLOOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE. THE FRONT STOP PIPES WERE INADVERTENTLY WELDED TO THE BODY RAILS SEVERAL INCHES BELOW THE BOTTOM OF THE CROSSMEMBERS.

CYCLIC TENSION LOADING WILL RESULT IN THE OUTSIDE GUSSET WELD CRACKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL CUT AWAY THE VERTICAL CONNECTION OF THE GUSSET TO THE RAILS ELIMINATING THE GUSSET CRACKING IN THE AREA WHERE THE STOP PIPE IS SOLIDLY WELDED INTO THE BODY RAILS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 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 1-765-771-5300.

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