United States 95V019000
WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC.
The problem
A PROTECTIVE GREASE COATING USED ON THE STEERING KNUCKLE WAS NOT REMOVED PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY OF THE STEERING ARMS. ALSO THE JOINTS COULD HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH KEYS THAT WERE SOFTER THAN SPECIFIED AND WITH NUTS OF A "SOFTER" MATERIAL THAN ANTICIPATED.
Risk
THESE CONDITIONS CAN ALLOW THE STEERING ARM TO TURNINSIDE THE KNUCKLE SHEARING THE LOCATOR KEY RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
What owners should do
DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE STEERING ARM/KNUCKLE JOINTS, REPLACE THE NUTS AND KEYS, AND RETORQUE THE STEERING ARM NUTS.
Units 159