THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT BRACKET SNAPPED IN HALF WHICH CAUSED THE BRACKET TO LAY ON THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE BUS. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM. (2) OTHER BUSES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, VIN # [XXX]/1994 WITH 42,700 MILES & [XXX]/ 1995 WITH 26,994 MILES. *AK INFORMATION REDAC…
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THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT BRACKET SNAPPED IN HALF WHICH CAUSED THE BRACKET TO LAY ON THE BRAKE LINE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE BUS. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM. (2) OTHER BUSES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, VIN # [XXX]/1994 WITH 42,700 MILES & [XXX]/ 1995 WITH 26,994 MILES. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
A SUDDEN HYDRAULIC PRESSURE LOSS DURING HARD TURNS RESULTS IN A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE PRESSURE LOSS OCCURS WHEN THE HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN ENGINE COOLING FAN TURNS OFF IN THE TURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER REACTS TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST BY OVERSTEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVES WILL BE REPLACED WITH VALVES OF A NEW DESIGN. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO DISCONNECT THE FAN CUTOFF SWITCH SO THAT HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN FANS WILL RUN FULL TIME, ELIMINATING THE PRESSURE SPIKE.
AIR BRAKE SUPPLY LINES ARE REVERSED AT THE BRAKE TREADLE VALVE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE MODULATED SPRING BRAKE FEATURE ON THE REAR AXLE BRAKE TO BE INOPERABLE. IN THE EVENT THE REAR BRAKE SUPPLY RESERVOIR WERE LOST, THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT PROPER FUNCTION OF THE MODULATED SPRING BRAKE ACTION OF THE REAR BRAKE AXLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF THE SECONDARY SPRING BRAKE FUNCTION COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF THE PRIMARY AIR BRAKES FAIL.
Remedy: VEHICLE OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SWAP SUPPLY LINES AT THE TREADLE VALVE TO OBTAIN THE CORRECT PLUMBING, AND WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR LABOR EXPENSES.
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