2006 Sterling LT

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THE TOP FLANGE OF THE FRONT AXLE I-BEAM MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE.

Risk. DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006, FOR PHASE I. PHASE 2 WILL BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2006. THIS RECALL IS BEING CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES. PHASE I WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE AXLE ASSEMBLY; AND PHASE II WILL REPLACE THE AXLE BEAM AND STEERING KNUCKLES. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU THAT THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE HENDRICKSON HAULMAX SUSPENSION USED ON MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. IN MY CASE THE BOLSTER SPRINGS BEGAN TO LEAN TO ONE SIDE OF MY TRUCK, AND THE BOLTS ON THE WHOLE SUSPENSION WOULD NEVER STAY TIGHT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE TO BE FIXED IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE WALKING BEAMS ON THE TRUCK WERE IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND THE WHOLE SUSPENSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPANY I LEASE ON TO HAS FOUR TRUCKS WITH THIS SUSPENSION AND THEY ARE ALL DOING THE SAME THING, IN FACT ONE OF THEM THE SUSPENSION TOTALLY COLLAPSED ON 9/6/07 AND IS NOW IN THE SHOP GETTING REPAIRED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY A FELLOW DRIVER THAT THE COMPANY HE HAULS FOR HAS SOME TRUCKS WITH THIS SUSPENSION AND TWO OF THEM THE WALKING BEAMS BROKE IN HALF WHILE THE TRUCKS WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 70 MPH, RESULTING IN LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HENDRICKSON REDESIGNED THE BOLSTERS BUT THE WALKING BEAM ARE STILL THE SAME TYPE. EVENTUALLY PEOPLE WILL GET KILLED WHEN A WALKING BEAM BREAKS IN HALF AND THE TRUCK KILLS THEM. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. *TR