The problem
Vehicle description: semi-trailers. These semi-trailers are equipped with suspension bogies that can slide forward and aft to change the axle positions. The bogies slide along a pair of body rails that are welded directly to the bottom flange of the i-beam crossmembers that make up the floor support structure. The front stop pipes were inadvertently welded to the body rails several inches below the bottom of the crossmembers.
The risk
Cyclic tension loading will result in the outside gusset weld cracking, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will cut away the vertical connection of the gusset to the rails eliminating the gusset cracking in the area where the stop pipe is solidly welded into the body rails. Owner notification began october 1, 2002. 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 wabash at 1-765-771-5300.
Contacts
Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Wabash dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 02V295000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.