The defect
AN AIR BRAKE HOSE FITTING BENEATH THE FLOOR OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY RUB AGAINST THE ROTATING STEERING DRIVE SHAFT, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE. THIS CONDITION COULD EXIST IF A MECHANIC FAILED TO ORIENT THE THREADED 90 DEGREE ELBOW FITTING IN THE PROPER DIRECTION, OR IF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS POSITIONED INCORRECTLY. ALSO, AN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED BEARING PLATE WAS INSTALLED ON THE STEERING DRIVE SHAFT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE SLIP SHAFT TO BOTTOM OUT, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE STEERING YOKE CONNECTION OR TO THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE GEAR BOX.
The remedy
THE DECK BEARING PLATE WILL BE REPLACED, A SLEEVE SPACER WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING SHAFT UNDER THE FLOOR AND TWO PARTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ATTACHMENT. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|
Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Other steering recalls in 1981
19 of the 157 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1981 concerned the steering; FREIGHTLINER CORP. filed 116 campaigns in all.
| 81V154000 29 Dec 1981 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 81V155000 29 Dec 1981 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 81V122000 14 Oct 1981 | WHITE MOTOR CORPORATION |
| 81V117000 2 Oct 1981 | TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
| 81V116000 1 Oct 1981 | FREIGHTLINER CORP. |
| 81V112000 23 Sept 1981 | CRANE CARRIER COMPANY |
| 81V109000 16 Sept 1981 | INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER |
| 81V106000 9 Sept 1981 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1981