Investigations
TIE ROD TUBE FAILURE
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04062 - closed, opened 2004-09-03 and involving the FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER.
NHTSA investigation PE04062 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-09-03 and currently closed. The subject of record is FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FREIGHTLINER. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-02-02 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE04062 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM TWO SEPARATE SCHOOL BUS FLEETS. BOTH FLEETS ALLEGED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING IN A PARKING AREA, THE TIE-ROD TUBE DISCONNECTED FROM ONE OF THE TIE-RODS. DANA, FREIGHTLINER..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related FREIGHTLINER files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY COMPLAINTS FROM TWO SEPARATE SCHOOL BUS FLEETS. BOTH FLEETS ALLEGED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING IN A PARKING AREA, THE TIE-ROD TUBE DISCONNECTED FROM ONE OF THE TIE-RODS. DANA, FREIGHTLINER AND THOMAS BUILT BUSES RECENTLY COMPLETED EXTENSIVE TESING AND DETERMINED THAT A CRACK MAY INITIATE ON THE INTERNAL THREAD ROOT OF THE TIE ROD. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO INADEQUATE DAMPENING IN THE CHASSIS SYSTEM TO ACCOUNT FOR NORMAL BRAKE-INDUCED VIBRATION. THESE CRACKS MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE ASSEMBLY. APPROXIMATELY 5,839 DANA STEER AXLES EQUIPPED WITH A CERTAIN TRW TIE ROD ASSEMBLY UTILIZING A CUT THREAD DESIGN ARE INVOLVED: A. 1320 AXLE APPLICATIONS, THOMAS PART NUMBER 61110702 AND 61110705 INSTALLED ON THOMAS BUSES WITH 6" BRAKES AND 30" AIR CHAMBERS; B. 1460 AXLE APPLICATIONS, THOMAS BUS PART NUMBER 61110707 AND 61110708 INSTALLED WITH 6" BRAKES AND 30" AIR CHAMBERS. THOMAS BUILT BUS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WHICH CONTAIN THE CUT THREAD DESIGN WITH A NEW TIE ROD ASSEMBLY THAT UTILIZES A ROLLED THREAD DESIGN. A ROLLED THREAD PROVIDES LESS STRESS ON THE CRITICAL AREA OF THE TIE ROD. A COPY OF THE DEFECT REPORT IS ATTACHED. THIS ACTION RESOLVES THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. ACCORDINGLY,THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other FREIGHTLINER Investigations
EVDM connector plate separation
Halogen Headlights May Cause Fires
Trolley bus circuit breaker fires
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Failure
Intermittent Loss of Power Steering Assist
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.