VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES EQUIPPED WITH BOSTROM DRIVER'S SEAT MODEL F222 OR BOSTRUM "ROUTEMASTER" SEAT. BLUE BIRD OPTION 2821 OR 2824. THE SEAT PEDESTALS ARE FATIGUE CRACKING ADJACENT TO THE WELD WHICH SECURES THE PEDESTAL'S UPPER PLATE TO THE UPPER, TELESCOPING PORTION OF THE ADJUSTABLE COLUMN SUPPORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE UPPER MOUNTING PLATE AND SEAT UPPER GRADUALLY BECOMES LOOSE RESULTING IN THE UPPER PLATE DETACHING FROM THE SUPPORTING COLUMN AND THE SEAT CAN FALL FROM ITS MOUNTING. THIS CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE PEDESTALS WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED PEDESTAL BRACKET KIT.
THESE UNITS ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COUNTER WEIGHT ASSEMBLY MADE UP OF 300 POUNDS OF 1/4" PLATE STEEL WELDED TOGETHER AND BOLTED BETWEEN THE FRAME RAILS IN THE REAR OVERHANG JUST FORWARD OF THE REAR BUMPER. SOME OF THE WELDS HAVE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDS, CORROSION, OR ICE EXPANSION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE PLATES CAN DROP TO THE ROADWAY BECOMING A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MECHANICAL RETAINING DEVICE WHICH CLAMPS THE PLATES TOGETHER AND FASTENED WITH THREADED FASTENERS. BUS OWNERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF REPAIRING THEIR OWN VEHICLES.
THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE PASSES THROUGH THE ACCELERATOR ROD ASSEMBLY AT AN ANGLE THAT WEARS A GROOVE IN THE ROD, WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CABLE CAN BECOME WEDGED IN THE GROOVE WORN INTO THE ROD AND CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE BUS, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIONING BRACKET FOR ROUTING THE HAND THROTTLE CABLE THROUGH THE ACCELERATOR ROD ASSEMBLY.
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