The defect
ON CERTAIN MOTOR COACHES, THE CASTLE NUTS ON THE TIE ROD ENDS AND RELAY ROD STUDS IN THE INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES ARE LOOSE AND/OR NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. LOW AND/OR NO TORQUE ON A NUT CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE SLACK IN THE STEERING SYSTEM, THEREBY ALLOWING THE TAPERED JOINT TO MOVE AND SUBSEQUENTLY SHEAR THE COTTER PIN.
The risk
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE STEERING LINK TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy
BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH ARVIN-MERITOR TO REPAIR THESE COACHES (PLEASE SEE 07E094). THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Blue Bird Express | 2007 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2006 |
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Bird Express | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| Blue Bird Express 4500 | 2006 | 0 | 3 |
Other steering recalls in 2007
38 of the 587 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2007 concerned the steering; BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY filed 251 campaigns in all.
| 07V596000 21 Dec 2007 | FARBER SPECIALTY VEHICLES |
| 07V592000 21 Dec 2007 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
| 07V591000 20 Dec 2007 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 07V590000 20 Dec 2007 | MONACO COACH CORPORATION |
| 07V584000 19 Dec 2007 | FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL |
| 07V583000 14 Dec 2007 | FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC. |
| 07V577000 12 Dec 2007 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 07V570000 10 Dec 2007 | FREIGHTLINER LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2007