Gear box: shaft pitmanRecall 08V-068 · Champion vehicles
CHAMPION BUS, INC. recall 08V-068 covers 14 Champion vehicles for a gear box: shaft pitman problem, reported to NHTSA on February 14, 2008.
Source: NHTSA recall 08V068000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
CHAMPION BUS IS RECALLING 14 MY 2008 3035RE BUSES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS. THESE GEARS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE INCORRECT RECIRCULATING BALL SPACER. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE RECIRCULATION BALLS TO ESCAPE FROM THE RECIRCULATION BALL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING.
The risk
THE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE HIGHER REQUIRED STEERING WHEEL INPUTS, OR THE NEED FOR MORE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN COMBINATION WITH METALLIC CRACKING NOISES PRIOR TO A LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix
CHAMPION BUS IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER AND ZF TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR (PLEASE SEE 07V343 AND 07E049). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR CHAMPION BUS AT 1-800-331-5761.
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
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 October 1, 2007 to February 4, 2008. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.