VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FRONT ENGINE CARPENTER SCHOOL BUSES WITH FRONT AIR SUSPENSIONS. DUE TO FRAME FLEXING, BOTH THE TRACK BAR MOUNT, MOUNTING BOLTS, AND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BOLTS COULD LOOSEN WHICH COULD ALLOW SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OR TORQUE LOSS OF THESE BOLTS. THE SPRING BEAM COULD ALSO FRACTURE.
THIS COULD AFFECT THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THREE STRUCTURAL, WELDED CROSS-MEMBERS TO TIE TOGETHER THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRAME RAILS, ALL LOCATED FORWARD OF THE FRONT AXLE. STIFFENING GUSSETS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO EXISTING FRAME CROSS-MEMBERS AND THE TO STEERING GEAR BOX MOUNTING BRACKET.
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2000. 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 SPARTAN AT 1-517-543-6400.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).