2005 International RE

Defect. CERTAIN 2005 MY INTERNATIONAL RE SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND JUNE 16, 2004 WHICH FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS. TWO CHECK VALVES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE AIR TANKS TO ISOLATE THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AIR CIRCUITS. A LEAK OR FAILURE OF EITHER CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE THE SPRING BRAKES TO AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATE WITHOUT WARNING.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL TWO CHECK VALVES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2004. 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 INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Defect. INTERNATIONAL 2005 MY RE SCHOOL BUSES BUILT FROM MARCH 3 THROUGH AUGUST 5, 2004. THE HIGH-PRESSURE SUPPLY HOSE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO THE STEERING GEAR MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE POSITIVE STUD ON THE STARTER SOLENOID. THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS, CONTAINING THE POSITIVE CABLE FROM THE ALTERNATOR, MAY BE PINCHED BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE BUS BODY. AN OPTIONAL OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURING, CAUSING A LEAK TO FORM.

Risk. ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS LISTED MAY CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO A POTENTIAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. INTERNATIONAL HAS PROVIDED ITS DEALERS WITH PARTS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE INTERIM REPAIR BY 8/13/04 AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMERS. WITH THE INTERIM NOTICE YOUR INTERNATIONAL DEALER WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION AND REPAIR PROCEDURE, HOWEVER, THE FINAL REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. CUSTOMERS WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL NOTICE INFORMING THEM THAT THE FINAL REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR BUSES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 800-448-7825.

MY COMPANY PURCHASED 3 2005 SIDE-DUMP TRAILERS, MANUFACTURED BY SIDUMP'R TRAILER CO., HWY 13 AND 20, PLAINVIEW, NE, 68769. THESE TRAILERS CAME EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS AND AIR CHAMBERS MANUFACTURED BY CREWSON INDUSTRIES, 1800 BROADWAY, BLDG 3, BUFFALO, NY 14212. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS, WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN SHOE TO DRUM CLEARANCE AT A FIXED AMOUNT, OVERTIGHTEN THE BRAKES ON TWO WHEEL POSITIONS ON EACH OF THE THREE TRAILERS. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE CHAMBERS, ALSO SUPPLIED BY CREWSON, DISINTEGRATE AROUND THE ATTACHING BOLTS AND FALL OFF THE TRAILER. THE END RESULT, IF UNDETECTED, IS, IN THE CASE OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER, WHEEL LOCKUP OR BRAKE SHOE FIRE. IN THE CASE OF THE BRAKE CHAMBER, TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. UPON INQUIRING AS TO THE FREQUENCY OF THESE PROBLEMS, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD AMONG OTHER PURCHASERS OF THESE TRAILERS. I HAVE CONTACTED CREWSON INDUSTRIES AND THEY HAVE SENT REPRESENTATIVES TO INSPECT MY TRAILERS. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO SEND ME REPLACEMENT PARTS, HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE NO BETTER THAN THE ONES INSTALLED ON MY TRAILERS NOW. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO AN ENGINEER AT CREWSONS, IDENTIFIED AS TONY V, AND HE STATED THE BRAKE CHAMBERS WERE NOT INTENDED TO BE USED ON AXLES INSTALLED ON SIDE DUMP TRAILERS AS THEY FELT THE TWISTING OF THE AXLES WAS THE CAUSE OF THE DISINTEGRATION. AT THIS POINT, HE HAS ALSO STATED, THAT CREWSON WILL NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS WITHOUT F