1985 Transportation 96a2

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

THE CENTER AXLE MOUNTED STEERING GEAR NECESSITATES THE USE OF LONGER TIE ROD ARMS. THESE ARMS COME IN CLOSER PROXIMITY TO THE FRONT TIRES THAN BUSES NOT HAVING THE CENTER AXLE MOUNTED STEERING GEAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE LONGER TIE ROD COULD SCUFF THE FRONT TIRE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE AIR LINES WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE BRAKE AIR LINES FROM THE BULKHEAD FITTINGS TO A TWO-WAY VALVE AND TO A RELAY VALVE WHICH FEEDS THE PARK BRAKE AND SERVICE BRAKES WERE INADVERTENTLY REVERSED DURING INSTALLATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION ALLOWS THE PARKING BRAKE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY, BUT WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AIR IS DIRECTED TO THE PARKING BRAKE DIAPHRAGMS AND NOT TO THE SERVICE BRAKES. THIS WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE STOPPING CAPABILITY OF THE SERVICE BRAKES. ALSO, IF THE PARKING BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY MAY BE DIFFICULT TO RELEASE.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

THE PINCH BOLT USED TO CLAMP THE STEERING DRIVE SHAFT YOKE TO THE STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT TORQUE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PINCH BOLT HAS INSUFFICIENT TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL WEAR TO THE EXTENT THAT LOSS OF INTERFACE WITH THE GROOVE IN THE STEERING BOX WOULD OCCUR, ALLOWING THE STEERING DRIVE SHAFT TO SLIP OFF AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND A POTENTIAL CRASH.