Supply: check valveRecall 03V-357 · Wheeler vehicles
WHEELER STEEL WORKS, INC. recall 03V-357 covers 176 Wheeler vehicles for a supply: check valve problem, reported to NHTSA on September 26, 2003.
Source: NHTSA recall 03V357000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SEALCO SPRING BRAKE CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATED IN ARVINMERITOR AXLES, PART NO. 110800, THERE IS A RECESSED AREA ON TOP OF THE VALVE IN WHICH A BRASS GUIDE PIN FITS DOWN INSIDE THE BODY OF THE VALVE AND IS HELD IN PLACE BY A STEEL SNAP RING. THE RECESSED AREA ALLOWS ACCUMULATION OF WATER, DIRT, AND/OR CHEMICALS TO BUILD UP BEHIND THE SNAP RING TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NO LONGER CONTAIN THE GUIDE PIN RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE AIR VALVE.
The risk
FAILURE OF THE VALVE IN AN EMPTY OR LIGHTLY LOADED TRAILER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULT IN A HARD APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES, POSSIBLY LOCKING UP THE TRAILER WHEELS AND RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix
SEALCO WILL PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO CUSTOMERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SEALCO AT 602-253-1007 OR WHEELER AT 573-262-6240.
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from January 1, 1999 to March 31, 2001. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.