Recalls for 2002 Farber Specialty Vehicle

DEFECT #1 - STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

Posted on: 2007-12-21
Description
On certain specialty vehicles such as bookmobile, medical, dental, display, and command 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 recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering.  

Consequence
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.  

Corrective Action
Farber specialty vehicles is working with freightliner and zf to replace the steering gear free of charge (please see 07v343 and 07e049).  Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712 or fsv at 1-800-331-3188.  

Notes
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.